Two Singapore institutions of higher learning, Singapore Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic, have teamed up with the non-profit organization Junior Achievement and IBM to offer curated learning pathways in various tech domains. This partnership aims to equip 4,500 local youth and adult learners with skills by providing access to over 1,000 courses designed for in-demand jobs across multiple industries, including AI, data analytics, sustainability, cybersecurity, and more.
These initiatives align with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, which aims to boost the number of artificial intelligence (AI) professionals and cultivate a dynamic AI ecosystem. As AI and technology continue to advance, organizations are increasingly looking to hire staff with the skills needed to implement AI solutions, enhancing efficiency, productivity, and customer service, according to Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Impact Officer, who spoke at the launch event.
"The problem is that organizations are pushing people beyond what they are comfortable with and beyond the skills that they currently have today”, she added. Nixon-Saintil noted that over 52 percent of CEOs in Singapore said that they are struggling to fill technology roles due to limited artificial intelligence (AI) skills availability, according to a study commissioned by IBM.
The new collaborations will provide free-of-cost lessons in AI fundamentals, tech, and cybersecurity, she said. Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Rahayu Mahzam said, "it is essential that we democratize access to the skills needed to thrive in this new era".
“We need to broaden AI education and ensure that all segments of society, regardless of background, have the power to participate in the workforce… ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared across society”, she added.
Institutes of higher learning (IHLs) will utilize IBM’s technology to enrich their teaching methods and offer an enhanced learning experience for students. For example, Singapore Polytechnic has integrated GenAI into its core curriculum to boost students' understanding and proficiency in prompt engineering, as shared by Loh Yew Chiong, Deputy Principal of Singapore Polytechnic.
The institute is incorporating IBM’s SkillsBuild resources into several modules within its Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) and Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics (DCDF) programs to ensure students are well-prepared for a seamless transition into the industry. To further evolve its teaching methods, Singapore Polytechnic has introduced data-driven lectures, utilizing insights from online courses to customize in-person sessions based on students' performance and understanding of the material.
Loh mentioned that previously, lecturers had no way of gauging how much students were learning from lectures alone. With data collected from online quizzes, lecturers can now adjust their classes according to each student's grasp of the assignments. Similarly, Republic Polytechnic has been utilizing AI in curriculum development to enhance and complement human creativity.
“[AI] gives you a framework and it uncovers some hidden spots”, said Republic Polytechnic’s Chief Technology Officer, Fong Yew Chan, on using AI in the initial creative process. The objective is to embark on a high-level AI journey and implement it across all departments and schools in the future", he shared.
