Singapore, 21 October 2025 (Tuesday) – SMU Academy, the professional training arm of Singapore Management University (SMU), marked its inaugural SMU Academy Day 2025 ( 新大专业进修学院「 学无界日」), themed ‘The Upskilling Imperative: Bold Moves to Transform Your Talent’ (主题：「技能提升势在必行」), with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with five Polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Guest-of-Honour Mr Tan Wee Beng, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Regulation) of SkillsFuture Singapore, and Professor Lily Kong, SMU President, witnessed the signing ceremony.
The first such partnership of its kind, the MOU formalises the recognition of relevant prior learning and professional experience, allowing Polytechnic advanced and specialist diploma (i.e. post-diploma) holders to receive credit exemptions towards SMU Academy’s Industry Graduate Diploma (IGD) and Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy (IPMDE) programmes. It also establishes clear progression pathways for ITE graduates to work towards these qualifications.
The signatories from the respective institutions were:
- Professor Alan Chan (Provost, SMU);
- Ms Low Khah Gek (Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Technical Education);
- Ms Esther Ho (Deputy Principal (Lifelong Learning & Enterprise Services), Nanyang Polytechnic);
- Mr Lim Kok Kiang (Principal & CEO, Ngee Ann Polytechnic);
- Mr Boo Chong-Han (Deputy Principal, Academic & Organisational Development, Republic Polytechnic);
- Mr Wong Jian Chang (Registrar, Singapore Polytechnic); and
- Mr Aw Tuan Kee (Deputy Principal/CEO, Temasek Polytechnic)
Under the agreement, eligible Polytechnic post-diploma graduates may receive up to six module credits, with an additional one to two credits for relevant work experience (final mapping of credits will be subject to programme relevance). For ITE diploma graduates, the MOU also establishes, for the very first time, a direct progression pathway into a graduate-level programme at SMU.
Significantly, this MOU expands SMU Academy’s previous admission pathway, which required at least a Polytechnic diploma plus 10 years of work experience, by establishing clear progression routes for ITE diploma graduates towards graduate-level qualification. As the first inter-IHL initiative of its kind, it strengthens the lifelong learning ecosystem by reducing duplication and by shortening the time required to attain recognised qualifications.
Professor Lily Kong, SMU President, said, “In a world of constant change, standing still is the greatest risk. Learners must have a positive and proactive mindset towards lifelong learning, and institutions must collaborate more deeply than ever to create seamless pathways across different stages of learning. The impact of this MOU is significant: a deeper respect for the expertise our learners already bring, enabling a shorter time to achieve a degree, and greater and timely relevance for the workplace.”
In thanking SMU’s partners, she added, “The new pathway provides tangible opportunities for Singaporeans to keep moving forward and realise their aspirations. Together, we are strengthening the ecosystem that keeps Singapore’s workforce resilient, adaptable and socially conscious.
Jack Lim, Executive Director, SMU Academy, said, “This MOU is a game changer in adult education. By working with Polytechnics and ITE, and creating new models of learning continuity, we enable Polytechnic post-diploma holders to fast-track their graduate-level studies at SMU Academy. At the same time, we are opening a new pathway for ITE diploma graduates, so they too can progressively advance towards graduate-level qualifications. In Academic Year 2023/2024 alone, ITE saw 11,964 graduates, and 749 learners completed the ITE Work-Study Diploma in 2024 — this reflects the strong pipeline of adult learners who stand to benefit from the opportunities enabled by today’s MOU.”
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Enclosures:
- Annex 1 - Quotes from the ITE and Polytechnics
- Annex 2 - Exemption policy
- Annex 3 - Chinese translations
