New curriculum framework launched by Ngee Ann Polytechnic to provide students with latest industry skills, knowledge

A new curriculum framework that will provide students with the latest industry skills, knowledge and experiences has been launched by Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) on Wednesday (May 24).

The Industry-in-Curriculum (IiC) framework is a collaborative effort between NP and over 100 partner-companies, and seeks to nurture talent for various industries through modules and lessons by both the school’s lecturers and industry practitioners.

It will be implemented across all of NP’s diploma courses by the end of 2024. Students should graduate with “in-demand skill sets and industry-validated competencies” after undergoing the framework and learning directly from experts in their course of study.

At least one-third of full-time diploma students’ curriculums will be co-developed, co-delivered and co-assessed by industry experts. Existing modules will be refreshed, and new ones designed to teach students industry-current practices, trends and developments will be added soon.

One such partnership is with cybersecurity artificial intelligence company Darktrace, which will provide industry-relevant training to NP’s School of InfoComm Technology students in areas such as cyber defence skills and Artificial Intelligence (AI) during electives. Students’ will be advised by company experts using real-life cases and insights.

This will also make NP the first Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) to offer an AI in Cybersecurity specialisation.

Those from the School of Design and Environment will be guided by urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting firm Surbana Jurong. They will use real-time data to give students an in-depth look into the industry during coursework, as well as direct access to the first Integrated Operations Centre for learning among IHLs.

Students will gain a deeper understanding of data analytics, system optimisation and how to utilise that and work towards environmental sustainability goals. 

New curriculum additions under the IiC framework include a year-long internship programme, an agency model that allows students to form teams and work with industry clients in multi-disciplinary industry projects. 

Their curriculum will be further refined with the integration of the latest technologies, and there will be an “increased presence of industry on campus” that enables students to learn and develop skills under industry practitioners’ guidance.

A Wednesdays Without Walls (W3) initiative has also been launched in support of the IiC framework. No classes will be held on Wednesdays, and students will instead participate in industry engagements and cross-disciplinary industry projects. 

W3 will help “close the gap between academia and industry, hence strengthening the industry-readiness of our students”, said Principal and CEO of NP Lim Kok Kiang.

School staff will also take part in industry-focused activities on Wednesdays to strengthen their capabilities and knowledge about the different industries and academia. 

NP hopes that the IiC framework will make NP students’ learning more practical, innovative and in line with emerging industry developments.