The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has signed an MOU with the Singapore Management University (SMU) to collaborate with the School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS) in fostering a new pipeline of tech talent through a Work-Learn Scheme (WLS) for Cyber and Digital Specialists.
These Cyber and Digital Specialists have a key role in developing technology solutions in MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces, honing their skills through on-the-job training offered by the WLS while concurrently serving their National Service. The inaugural batch of students in the WLS@SMU scheme will commence their studies in the new Academic Year starting August 2025.
First introduced by MINDEF in 2017 and 2021 with the Singapore Institute of Technology, the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore, the Cyber Work-Learn Scheme and the Digital Work-Learn Scheme (WLS) are designed to tap on cyber and digital talents from the full-time National Service pool for deployment in operational roles. This is now being expanded to include SMU from August 2025.
Students on the WLS@SMU can complete up to 50 per cent of their degrees during their National Service, with MINDEF covering the tuition costs for those modules taken during the four-year contract. The pertinent undergraduate programmes are Computer Science, Information Systems, and Software Engineering. WLS@SMU will be based on a 4+2 model:
This means WLS@SMU students will study part-time at SMU from Year 1 to Year 4, followed by full-time from Year 5 to Year 6. The students’ NS commitments are cleared as part of the WLS@SMU. The WLS@SMU automatically clears SMU’s internship requirement for students, and they can go on exchanges and take on additional internships, if they choose to, in Years 5 and 6.
Therefore, for Singaporean male participants, unlike the conventional route of spending two years on NS and four years of full-time study, WLS@SMU students can graduate within the same amount of time but with the added career advantage of hands-on training and work experience with MINDEF.
The partnership was inked by Professor Pang Hwee Hwa, Dean of SCIS and Brigadier-General (BG) Wong Hong Kai, the Commander of SAF C4 & Digitalisation Command (SAFC4DC) at the Digital and Intelligence Service.
Professor Pang said, “This is a significant partnership with MINDEF, which allows students to be exposed to real-world technological issues early on in their undergraduate journey. We are optimistic that this will greatly enhance the diversity and depth of the tech specialists in Singapore’s armed forces. The WLS@SMU has the added benefit of preparing students for continuous learning in the workplace throughout their careers.”
Brigadier-General Wong Hong Kai, the Commander of SAF C4 & Digitalisation Command (SAFC4DC) at the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) said, “By integrating academic learning with operational skills, the SAF Work-Learn Scheme empowers our Full-time National Servicemen to apply their passion and technical skills in real-world scenarios to contribute to National Defence.”
He added that DIS’ partnership with SMU’s SCIS is a valuable enhancement of this effort. “It allows the DIS to tap into SMU’s strengths and harness NS talents with cyber and digital capabilities. With these initiatives, we are better prepared to navigate the fast-evolving challenges in cybersecurity and drive digital transformation in the SAF,” he added.
DIS is expecting to support about 50 students per year on WLS@SMU programme. To participate, students will need to receive an offer to a SCIS degree in their own right, as well as a WLS offer from DIS. Interested applicants may apply here.
