SINGAPORE: A delegation from The University of Glasgow visited Singapore this week to formally mark the launch of two new aerospace courses to be taught in partnership with Singapore Institute of Technology.

The undergraduate degree programmes BEng Aeronautical Engineering and BEng Aerospace Systems will be taught through Singapore Polytechnic campus and supplement the BEng Mechatronics and BEng Mechanical Design Engineering courses already offered through Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus.

A signing ceremony between SIT, University of Glasgow and Singapore Polytechnic took place on Tuesday 27 March at Raffles Hotel.

The University has been developing its collaborations with SIT and partner polytechnics since 2010 and hopes to add further courses, such as Computing Science, to its offering in the next few years.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “Singapore is one of Asia’s strongest and most dynamic economies with the aviation sector generating more than five percent of GDP.

“By providing these new programmes in Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Systems, in addition to our existing Mechanical Engineering programmes, we hope to produce the highly-qualified graduates required by Singapore’s growing aviation sector. We will also play a role in helping the Singapore Government achieve its goal of having 30% of students in university education by 2015.

“Our visit was also aimed at increasing our understanding of the education needs of Singapore through discussions with the Ministry of Education and SIT so that we can agree on future medium and long-term developments in undergraduate and postgraduate provision.

“We also took the opportunity to meet with members of our large Singapore alumni community and other partners and stakeholders in the city and we look forward to further developing mutually rewarding relationships with our Singapore friends.”

Professor Tan Chin Tiong, President of SIT, said: “Last year [2011], we began our partnership with UOG to offer Mechanical Design Engineering and Mechatronics to polytechnic graduates. This year, we are offering another two degree programmes in Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Systems.

 “And we are not done – next year we are exploring Computing Science as a possible degree offering. We are also exploring collaboration on applied research. SIT and UoG enjoy a solid partnership and it is SIT’s privilege to work with one of the world’s ancient universities to bring more choices to our students. Both sides have worked tirelessly to cement this partnership and I am proud that the results of our labour are taking off.”

Following the Singapore Airshow 2012, key aerospace industry leaders such as ST Aerospace and the Republic of Singapore Airforce have already pledged their support for SIT’s new degree programmes by offering scholarships and industry sponsorships to SIT’s incoming Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Systems students.

The University of Glasgow signed an agreement with SIT in January 2011 to provide Mechatronics and Mechanical Design Engineering courses through Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus. The new programmes in Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Systems will accept students from autumn 2012. All four courses are taught over two Honours years, with the summer vacation spent in Glasgow.

During the visit, the University and SIT agreed to explore the development of MSc Programmes with Industry, PhD programmes and collaborate on research.

As an institution initiated by the Ministry of Education, SIT continues to add new degree programmes to offer polytechnic graduates more upgrading opportunities with industry-focused degrees in growth sectors of the economy. SIT keeps close consultation with government agencies, polytechnics and industry partners to ensure that the degree programmes and Overseas Universities selected have high reputation in their respective fields.

The University also has research partnerships with NUS, NTU and A*STAR.

For more information contact Stuart Forsyth in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on +44 141 330 4831 or email stuart.forsyth@glasgow.ac.uk or Joyce Chen, Marketing Communications, SIT on 6592 1165/9784 225 or joyce.chen@singaporetech.edu.sg

Further information

About Singapore Institute of Technology

Established in 2009, SIT is an initiative of the Ministry of Education offering undergraduate degree programmes primarily for polytechnic graduates. In partnership with various reputable overseas universities, SIT has brought to Singapore some of the world’s top industry-focused degree programmes targeted at growth sectors of the economy.

Through a unique tripartite collaboration with its overseas university partners and the five local polytechnics, SIT represents a new model that is set to become a key pillar of university education. SIT adopts a distributed campus model to allow greater synergy and efficiency. Through this model, SIT’s degree programmes will be housed within an SIT building in each of the polytechnics to cater to an intake of at least 2000 full-time students per academic year by 2015.

SIT’s admission period has been extended to 1 April 2012. Interested students can apply via the SIT website at www.SingaporeTech.edu.sg. SIT takes a holistic approach in assessing applicants, taking into consideration academic results, extra-curricular interests and the candidate’s passion and personal qualities. Relevant work experience will also be considered and all shortlisted applicants will be assessed through interviews. For specific programmes, students may also have to submit portfolios or essays.

 

University of Glasgow

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow (UOG) is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is in the top 1% of universities in the world. UOG is a member of the distinguished Russell Group, comprising the United Kingdom’s 20 leading research-intensive universities, and is also a founding member of Universitas 21– a network of universities established as an international reference point and resource for strategic thinking on issues of global significance. UOG’s students graduate equipped with the skills they need to compete in a global workplace, and with friendships and networks that last a lifetime. Associated with seven Nobel Laureates and boasting alumni like Adam Smith, Lord Kelvin and James Watt, UOG sustains a broad portfolio of leading-edge research funded by industry, research councils and governmental agencies.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/singapore/

First published: 27 March 2012

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