Temasek Polytechnic and AWS Launch FutureX AI Centre

Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have launched FutureX as the nation's first multidisciplinary center for digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The memorandum of understanding between TP Principal & CEO Peter Lam and AWS Singapore Country Manager, Worldwide Public Sector, Elsie Tan was signed during this year's 2024 AWS Public Sector Day in Singapore. Open since September 30, FutureX seeks to strengthen the architecture of education in TP through the use of AI, a commitment made in the Singapore National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0. It would facilitate better outcomes in learning for all staff and students from schools in TP, courtesy of shared resources.

Noting that hands-on experience was critical to prepare students for the rapidly changing landscape of the digital world, the Director of the School of Informatics & IT of TP, Tang Ming Fai, said that with AWS, students and staff would be able to gain hands-on experience, hone technical skills, and undergo professional certification programs with the latest technologies. The collaboration with AWS seeks to arm students with essential skills in AI and cloud computing that are increasingly vital for success in the digital economy. "We are very proud to deepen our collaboration with TP through FutureX. Under this, there will be hands-on training, industry projects, and AWS experts on-campus, equipping students with practical experience in using AWS services to drive innovation," according to AWS' Elsie Tan. Under the scheme to train 15,000 learners on AI skills by 2026, this is in step with AWS commitment to future-proof talent development in Singapore, engaged in the active nurturing of the next generation of builders for the cloud and for AI.

FutureX will look to have a wider societal impact through efforts towards projects which would enhance local community digital capabilities, especially in the non-profit sector. This will benefit the students, who can apply their skills, and the community organizations," Tang explained. Non-profits and small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to use advanced technologies such as AI without saddling themselves with a heavy management burden over infrastructure through access to AWS cloud services. The Centre will be a source of cross-disciplinary teams, and all kinds of expertise shall be drawn together to develop holistic solutions that address specific local organizational needs for digital transformation. This collaborative effort will lead to some change in the positive direction and better digitalization efforts from the organizations.

FutureX will also extend various trainings under the portfolio of AWS, starting from PET programmes as well as CET. The courses shall be in a format of shorter courses and certifications with the purpose of acquiring skill-enabling for local workforce by using technology to further the use of digital tools better. The overall objective is to impact the community in a positive way through technology-driven solutions, expertise, and educational opportunities that empower nonprofits and SMEs in enhancing their digital capabilities and competitiveness, Tang said. Under the MoU, students of TP will have a channel to benefit from the tremendous training courses presented in the online resources availed by AWS-the AWS Skill Builder and AWS Academy, which provide cloud and AI skilling courses together with professional certification programs. These resources will enable students to engage in hands-on experience, technical skills learning, and professional certification which is viewed in high regard within the industry.

AWS experts will be on-site within FutureX working directly with faculty and students of TP. They shall co-supervise student projects, co-develop the curriculum, and provide advanced technical training to students and teaching staff alike to ensure that the latest technological advancements form part of the teaching pedagogy. FutureX will be used as a platform showcasing projects that TP staff and students develop as a result of access to AWS resources. This will offer a wide array of industry-relevant projects that solve real-world challenges for students to work on, hence providing them with plenty of first-hand practical experience and exposure to the tech industry through internships and job opportunities at AWS and its industry partners. This collaborative effort is congruent with TP's stance of taking learning out of the classroom through real-world learning programs and professional experiences. As Tang puts it, "industry partnerships are increasingly important to creating a robust curriculum that addresses existing market needs".

"In the three-year horizon, TP and AWS look forward to seeing FutureX create meaningful impact in the community". The collaboration enables the sustainable learning innovation ecosystem, allowing not only the development of the basic skills of students but also strengthening local organizations' abilities to succeed within an ever-changing digital landscape. Conclusion: FutureX marks an important step in the integration of AI and digital technologies into the educational framework of TP. The center is therefore going to play a very important role in fashioning the workforce of the future for Singapore and other places, ensuring students are well-equipped to face the challenges of the digital economy.