Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman, SUSS Board of Trustees, and an Independent Non-Executive Director of the AIA Singapore Board
Ms Wong Sze Keed, CEO, AIA Singapore
Partners from IMDA, Workforce Singapore and Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. It is an honour to be here today to celebrate this milestone for the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and AIA Singapore. We are excited to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the launch of Singapore’s inaugural credit-bearing Minor in Insurance Fundamentals.
2. The financial services sector is a crucial pillar of Singapore’s economy, with the insurance industry poised for substantial growth. However, this growth is tempered by a persistent talent shortage.
3. Our new programme aims to bridge this gap by equipping students and working adults with essential insurance principles, compliance knowledge, and financial acumen.
4. This initiative is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about shaping the future of the insurance industry, by developing a pool of professionals who are well-versed in both theory and practice.
5. Starting in the January 2025 semester, the Minor will be available to both full-time and part-time undergraduates at SUSS.
6. Additionally, we will offer the Minor as a one-year Certification programme to the public, catering to everyone from industry newcomers to experienced professionals looking to expand their expertise.
7. By providing this Certificate in a part-time format, SUSS is dedicated to supporting career transitions into the insurance industry for adults at various stages of their careers.
8. In addition to expanding the talent pool for Singapore’s insurance industry, SUSS and AIA are collaborating to reskill current tech professionals at AIA. This initiative focuses on keeping them abreast of the latest advancements, particularly in AI and Analytics, with a special emphasis on Generative AI.
9. We are especially proud to be one of five Training Partners appointed by IMDA (as earlier mentioned by Ms Wong). This highlights our dedication to the national reskilling and upskilling agenda. Through this partnership, we will develop targeted reskilling courses to support the broader goal of workforce digital transformation in Singapore.
10. Our collaboration with AIA Singapore exemplifies our commitment to blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills. It is in line with one of the three main pillars of our SUSS mission to forge impactful partnerships. By opening pathways to rewarding careers in the insurance industry, we strive to inspire and support our students’ professional growth.
11. I extend my heartfelt thanks to AIA Singapore for their steadfast support. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our undergraduates, AIA employees, and the industry, benefiting both our students and society alike.
12. In closing, let us remember that this MoU is more than a formal agreement. It represents our commitment to advancing excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. I am confident that our partnership will achieve meaningful progress and set a new benchmark for industry-academia collaboration.
Thank you.