News
Singapore, 4 September 2024 – MaivenPoint, a leading EdTech SaaS solution provider and a company of AvePoint Inc., and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), a leading university offering multi-disciplinary programs that incorporate technology and design, has entered a strategic collaboration to enhance continuing education programmes at SUTD Academy. This partnership will address Singapore’s growing demand for technology talent by equipping professionals with advanced skills in data science and technology. The collaboration has been formalised with the signing of a Collaboration Agreement.
As part of this initiative, SUTD, the inaugural education partner, will offer a Master of Science in Technology and Design (Cybersecurity) programme (MTD), and MaivenPoint will provide on-the-job training opportunities to an initial cohort of 100 students from Vietnam, with the first batch of students starting the programme in September 2024. The programme will utilise MaivenPoint Vitae for learning and student management.
SUTD Academy Director John Leong said: "We are excited to be working together with MaivenPoint to bring SUTD’s unique design, AI and technology pedagogy to the students from Vietnam. We believe that our specially curated MTD programme will not only enhance their skills in cybersecurity and risk management, but also broaden their communication and design thinking skills through hands-on internships with our industry partners. We are proud to play a part in broadening access to quality education and equipping the next generation of technology talents with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in a rapidly changing world."
As Singapore grapples with a technology talent shortage, particularly in specialised fields like cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and technology design, innovative collaboration amongst universities and technology companies is essential. This collaboration will facilitate a work-and-learn programme that integrates academic study with practical work experience.
AvePoint, with a growing workforce in the Asia-Pacific region, sees this partnership between its EdTech subsidiary, MaivenPoint, and SUTD as a strategic initiative to continue strengthening its talent pipeline. AvePoint Co-Founder and CEO, Dr Tianyi Jiang, said: “This collaboration underscores AvePoint's commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing top-tier tech talent in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This symbiotic partnership between industry and academia will offer students unique opportunities for real-world experience, while providing AvePoint with a steady influx of job-ready professionals.”
Enhancing Workforce Integration with a Two-Year Work and Learn Programme
The programme will support an initial 100 placement opportunities in 2024-2025 for students taking up postgraduate IT degrees, focusing on skills such as Cybersecurity, AI, Cloud Computing and Data Science. Programme participants will receive a two-year work and learn visa, enabling them to gain valuable work experience during the course of their studies. MaivenPoint will offer the first group of programme participants on-the-job training opportunities within global technology organisations in Singapore. This experience will help them hone their skills, build networks with IT professionals, and integrate into Singapore's dynamic technology ecosystem.
This hands-on experience is designed to foster innovation and collaboration, helping students integrate seamlessly into the local workforce and contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s technology sector.
Zoe Shang, Chief Operating Officer, MaivenPoint, said: "Our partnership with SUTD displays our commitment to advancing education through technology. By integrating practical work opportunities with academic learning, we can equip students with vital skills and foster a culture of innovation that aligns with Singapore’s vision of becoming a global technology hub. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing the pressing need for technology talent, and we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of education and workforce development in the region."
Empowering Local Businesses with Global Talent
Beyond this pilot programme, MaivenPoint is actively working to expand the initiative by partnering with more universities across ASEAN countries in order to offer more potential technology students the opportunity to benefit. There are also plans to explore other programmes targeted at educational qualification upgrades, such as diploma-to-degree pathways and vocational certifications.
This expansion will benefit local universities by enhancing their international outreach and attracting more students to their programmes. With the support of MaivenPoint’s SaaS learning and student management system, educational institutions can innovate in delivering multidisciplinary programmes, streamline recruitment processes, and efficiently manage student services remotely.
The programme will also facilitate an ecosystem that helps regional technology talents better understand Singapore’s technology needs. Through a combination of academic skills (via SUTD’s Masters in Cybersecurity), on-the-job training with industry partners like MaivenPoint, and core skills development such as communication and understanding of the local environment, this programme aims to comprehensively prepare students for integration into the Singaporean workforce.
Media Contact
WE Communications for MaivenPoint
WE-SGMaivenpoint@we-worldwide.com
