The partnership between SIM and RMIT Online is a strategic and timely move to fast track SIM’s digital initiative and offer more online learning in a post-COVID world. The talent crunch in Singapore is already being felt across several sectors, particularly with skilled labour. According to The Global Talent Crunch 2018 report, Singapore could lose out on $106.82bn USD by 2030 due to skill shortages.
Extending the successful 33-year-long partnership between the two institutions, SIM will offer a selection of online courses from RMIT Online’s existing portfolio to help develop skills which have been identified as necessary for Singapore to remain competitive in increasingly digitised industries.
The first suite of courses to be offered are in areas including Artificial Intelligence, Agile Project Management, Digital Marketing, Cyber Security, and Data Analytics. Each course has been designed with leading industry partners such as IBM, Salesforce and AWS Educate, and are taught by senior industry mentors. Upon completion, learners will receive a digital credential which has been verified by both industry partners and a world-leading institution.
RMIT Online’s CEO, Helen Souness, said SIM and RMIT have built a strong partnership over the years.
“SIM is RMIT’s largest and longest standing international partner, having graduated more than 40,000 students in Singapore. As technology continues to disrupt the workforce, we’re delighted to work in partnership to demystify emerging technologies and help bridge the digital divide,” she said.
RMIT Vice Chancellor and President Martin Bean CBE said the University had achieved great success in Australia with its industry-focused short courses, covering topics from virtual reality and augmented reality to artificial intelligence and digital marketing.
“COVID-19 has rapidly changed the way people work, live and study. We know that new and returning students are looking for flexible, targeted and industry-focused learning options that they are able to apply immediately,” he said.
“As we navigate our way through this pandemic and look towards recovery, these short-courses will create new opportunities for Singaporean workers."
President and Chief Executive Officer, SIM, Mr Seah Chin Siong, said that COVID-19 meant online learning will be an important mode of learning.
“Our collaboration with RMIT Online offers yet another flexible pathway for PMETs in Singapore to build skills which are in demand by employers. Under SIM’s digital initiative, we will continue to provide short, micro-credentialed courses that help our learners build greater agility across industry segments and in their careers.”
To find out more, visit: pd-rmitonline.sim.edu.sg
Story: Jennifer Graham
