SkillsFuture Festival X SUSS Spotlights Efforts to Support Digitalisation at Workplace

Singapore, 3 August 2023 – The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and with support from the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), organised the SkillsFuture Festival X SUSS at the Lifelong Learning Institute today to spotlight efforts to support digitalisation at the workplace.

2. Themed Digital at Work, the SkillsFuture Festival x SUSS event was graced by Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Ms Gan Siow Huang. The one-day hybrid event showcased the Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes offered at the various IHLs. 40 breakout activities and workshops were organised to help participants learn more about the latest digital workplace trends.

New digital courses for mid-careerists

3. SSG’s annual Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report spotlights the Digital Economy as one of the top three high-growth economies in Singapore.

4. The SMU Academy, supported by SSG, is launching the Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy programme, to support the digital upskilling of mid-career workers. The programme is specially designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and to equip learners with the skills and knowledge required to upskill or transition into the digital economy.

5. For a start, the programme will feature two tracks of specialisations: (1) Data Protection and Data Governance, and (2) Digital Supply Chain and Intelligence. Registration commenced today, with the first intake to begin in January 2024.

Accelerating the Training and Credentialing of Industry Trainers

6. The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) is rolling out accelerated industry-centric training pathways to enable industry trainers to be made quickly available for companies and sectors. Those who successfully complete such an accelerated training programme will be recognised to train SSG approved certifiable programmes in their respective industry and trade.

7. This industry-centric pathway was first piloted for the media industry in end-2022, in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority. In the second half of 2023, we will extend the initiative to the transport sector, in partnership with NTUC LearningHub and SBS Transit.

Blueprint guides educators to better leverage digital tools for teaching

8. SUSS and Microsoft have co-launched the Digital Andragogy Blueprint for Singapore’s workforce. It provides educators with recommendations and strategies for leveraging digital tools to enhance adult instruction and learning. It offers a curated collection of digital tools to help educators achieve their instructional goals. The blueprint also includes real-world case studies to demonstrate successful implementation strategies and the positive impact of digital tools on learning outcomes.

9. By facilitating the adoption of digital tools among adult educators, the blueprint also aims to improve the quality and industry relevance of skills training.

Highlights at the SkillsFuture Festival X SUSS

10. In addition to the new initiatives, participants can also catch the following event highlights:
    1. Leading in the Era of Generative AI
       • A keynote by Mr Richard Koh, Chief Technology Officer and Customer Success Lead, Microsoft Singapore, on developing a culture of innovation and learning in the era of Generative AI and what the future of education looks like as educational institutes transform to meet the needs of a resilient, digitally inclusive Singapore.
    2. Embracing Global Competencies and Digitalisation in a Changing World
       • A panel discussion on the importance of embracing global competencies and skills for young people, as digitalisation changes how we work and play, featuring panellists:
         1. Mr David Chua, CEO, National Youth Council;
         2. Professor Robbie Goh, SUSS Provost;
         3. Mr Russ Neu, Venture Partner, Impact Initiatives, Quest Ventures;
         4. Muhammad Syahiran Bin Sulong Kahirudin, SUSS student, Supply Chain Management programme;
         5. Moderated by Associate Professor Rita Padawangi, Centre for University Core, SUSS.
    3. IAL Learning Festival
       • Innovation Showcase: Highlighting edtech and digitalised workplace learning efforts through collaborations with working partners;
       • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) taster workshops: Offering introductory activities and sessions on some of IAL’s short courses, such as using Generative AI to enhance learning design and courseware development, and;
       • For Learners, By Learners: Featuring sessions incorporating learning tech tools facilitated by recent graduates from the WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (WSQ ACLP) 2.0.

Singapore, 3 August 2023 – The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and with support from the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), organised the SkillsFuture Festival X SUSS at the Lifelong Learning Institute today to spotlight efforts to support digitalisation at the workplace.

2. Themed Digital at Work, the SkillsFuture Festival x SUSS event was graced by Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Ms Gan Siow Huang. The one-day hybrid event showcased the Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes offered at the various IHLs. 40 breakout activities and workshops were organised to help participants learn more about the latest digital workplace trends.

New digital courses for mid-careerists

3. SSG’s annual Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report spotlights the Digital Economy as one of the top three high-growth economies in Singapore.

4. The SMU Academy, supported by SSG, is launching the Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy programme, to support the digital upskilling of mid-career workers. The programme is specially designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and to equip learners with the skills and knowledge required to upskill or transition into the digital economy.

5. For a start, the programme will feature two tracks of specialisations: (1) Data Protection and Data Governance, and (2) Digital Supply Chain and Intelligence. Registration commenced today, with the first intake to begin in January 2024.

Accelerating the Training and Credentialing of Industry Trainers

6. The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) is rolling out accelerated industry-centric training pathways to enable industry trainers to be made quickly available for companies and sectors. Those who successfully complete such an accelerated training programme will be recognised to train SSG approved certifiable programmes in their respective industry and trade.

7. This industry-centric pathway was first piloted for the media industry in end-2022, in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority. In the second half of 2023, we will extend the initiative to the transport sector, in partnership with NTUC LearningHub and SBS Transit.

Blueprint guides educators to better leverage digital tools for teaching

8. SUSS and Microsoft have co-launched the Digital Andragogy Blueprint for Singapore’s workforce. It provides educators with recommendations and strategies for leveraging digital tools to enhance adult instruction and learning. It offers a curated collection of digital tools to help educators achieve their instructional goals. The blueprint also includes real-world case studies to demonstrate successful implementation strategies and the positive impact of digital tools on learning outcomes.

9. By facilitating the adoption of digital tools among adult educators, the blueprint also aims to improve the quality and industry relevance of skills training.

Highlights at the SkillsFuture Festival X SUSS

10. In addition to the new initiatives, participants can also catch the following event highlights:
    1. Leading in the Era of Generative AI
       • A keynote by Mr Richard Koh, Chief Technology Officer and Customer Success Lead, Microsoft Singapore, on developing a culture of innovation and learning in the era of Generative AI and what the future of education looks like as educational institutes transform to meet the needs of a resilient, digitally inclusive Singapore.
    2. Embracing Global Competencies and Digitalisation in a Changing World
       • A panel discussion on the importance of embracing global competencies and skills for young people, as digitalisation changes how we work and play, featuring panellists:
         1. Mr David Chua, CEO, National Youth Council;
         2. Professor Robbie Goh, SUSS Provost;
         3. Mr Russ Neu, Venture Partner, Impact Initiatives, Quest Ventures;
         4. Muhammad Syahiran Bin Sulong Kahirudin, SUSS student, Supply Chain Management programme;
         5. Moderated by Associate Professor Rita Padawangi, Centre for University Core, SUSS.
    3. IAL Learning Festival
       • Innovation Showcase: Highlighting edtech and digitalised workplace learning efforts through collaborations with working partners;
       • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) taster workshops: Offering introductory activities and sessions on some of IAL’s short courses, such as using Generative AI to enhance learning design and courseware development, and;
       • For Learners, By Learners: Featuring sessions incorporating learning tech tools facilitated by recent graduates from the WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (WSQ ACLP) 2.0.