Newcastle University and The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will offer Singapore's first undergraduate degree in Electrical Power Engineering, after signing an agreement this week.

The two-year full-time degree programme will open next year, with a class of about 60 students.

Professor Ella Ritchie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to join together the unique expertise of the two countries to develop cutting edge teaching and research in an area where high-calibre graduates are desperately needed.

“Our collaboration with SIT provides world-class education on Singaporean doorsteps and we are delighted to announce this new undergraduate degree to join our other programmes. 

“The new Electrical Power Engineering degree has been designed to ensure that our graduates meet the ever challenging demands and skills required for the energy and power sector in Singapore.

“The overall partnership works well because we are both focused on responding to demands from industry and society. Long may it continue.”

The new course will be added to those already available in Singapore, including engineering degrees in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering and Offshore Engineering, Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Engineering, and Chemical Engineering as well as Food & Human Nutrition. The partnership between Newcastle University and SIT, based on an earlier partnership between the University and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, began in 2010.

Barrie Mecrow, Professor of Electrical Power at Newcastle University, said:  “We have been teaching Electrical Engineering at Newcastle University since the 1880s and are now recognised as world leaders in the field, working with global companies such as Dyson, Siemens, Airbus, BAE Systems, Jaguar Landrover and Renault to name but a few.

“Our new students here at SIT will benefit from the industrial links which Newcastle University has already established, both in terms of the transfer of expertise and future research and job opportunities.”

Many of Singapore’s power stations were designed in North East England. And there is a shortage of expertise in Singapore, which this course is designed to fill.

Speaking at the signing, Singapore's Second Minister for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran said that the power sector requires about 2,400 new professionals over the next decade. This degree programme, he added, will "complement our ongoing manpower development efforts."

published on: 30 October 2012