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Singapore University of Technology and Design is a multi-disciplinary institute which was opened in 2009. The University is becoming well-known for its unusual setup – it doesn't have departments or schools and uses a “cohort-based” method of classroom teaching focussed on practical activities.
We caught up with the Provost of the University, Professor Tow Chong, during a recent visit to the UK
What's your background?
Before becoming Provost of Singapore University of Technology and Design I worked for 15 years in A*STAR, where I was executive director of the Science and Engineering Research Council. While there I headed up the production of Singapore's current research agenda, which aims to turn the country into a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
Before that I was Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore where I worked on advanced photonic materials and memory for computers.
What is the state of engineering and engineering education in Singapore?
The demand for engineering is growing rapidly in Singapore with its various developmental projects. For example, the new airport terminals four and five and the Jewel complex linking the airport terminals were recently announced by the Prime Minister of Singapore.
It’s a really exciting time for anyone with an engineering career or anyone looking for further education opportunities overseas. As the industry grows, we want to attract top talent from around the world to complement the local pool. There are also more positions in undergraduate engineering education being created - with the opening of the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the Singapore Institute of Technology and the expansion of class sizes in the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
How does the Singapore University of Technology and Design differ from Western Universities?
We have fully integrated the concepts of design and innovation in the University's research and education and aim to prepare our graduates to function effectively on the global stage. Our approach has been a great success, over 3,000 people applied to be part of the university’s pioneer batch - only the top 500 were accepted.
Our students are exposed to the best innovative practices of both Eastern and Western cultures, coupled with the experience of the multi-cultural and integrated Singaporean society. Our curriculum has been developed with MIT from the US and they are also involved with our research center and the professional development of the faculty.
Zhejiang University in China has developed elective courses on Chinese culture, entrepreneurship, and architecture that enrich and extend the curriculum. It also participates in a large-scale collaborative research program. Student exchanges programs run with both of these universities.
We have a fluid organisational structure with no schools / faculties and no departments, and no Deans! We also break from the typical agrarian academic calendar that essentially suspends all classes during the summer.
Can you tell me about some of the best research projects at your University?
We try and ensure our researchers' academic achievements are also grounded in real-life applications and we have some interesting mobility projects for disabled people in the developing world.
One of our post-doctoral research associates, Dr Amos Winter, has been engaged in a project called the Leveraged Freedom Chair. It's a lever-propelled wheelchair designed for use in rural areas of developing countries. It is up to 35% faster on the street than a conventional wheelchair and more capable off road. The wheelchairs are better suited to the challenging transportation conditions that people with disabilities face in the developing world.
With the support of SUTD, Amos will build, distribute and test 25 Freedom Chairs in India in collaboration with Jaipur Foot, the biggest disability group in the world, Pinnacle Industries, which will manufacture the LFC and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
Following the trial, Pinnacle will tool up to produce 1000 Freedom Chairs a month.
Other projects include a new way of purifying water, which is about 200 times more efficient than current activated carbon-based water treatment systems, making it far more environmentally friendly than any other technology available.
Our researchers have also developed a device they've called the Stickear for the deaf. It detects sounds and alerts users by sending vibrating messages to their mobile device, so that they will never miss the doorbell or their name being called again.
Those interested in pursuing career opportunities in Singapore should visit www.contactsingapore.sg to find out more.