Courses to adopt stackable-skills, micro-credentials approach to help maritime professionals build data analytics skills to support transformation of the sector

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop, promote, and deliver applied data science and analytics courses to equip the Maritime Singapore workforce with essential data skills to remain competitive in an increasingly data-driven industry.

This follows the Report of the Tripartite Advisory Panel for Future-ready Maritime Workforce[1], which outlined the need for the maritime workforce to continuously deepen its domain skills while building data analytics capabilities and improving soft skills in an age marked by extensive technology and change.

“The maritime industry is on the cusp of a major transformation. Whether it’s the imperative to decarbonise or the increasing pervasiveness of technology across all aspects of our business, these changes that are already picking up pace will require the workforce to adopt the mindset of lifelong learning in order to remain relevant. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Singapore Maritime Foundation and the National University of Singapore allows both organisations to cooperate to provide high quality continuing education and training to retain the competitive edge of the Maritime Singapore workforce. We invite the industry to sign-up for this, and other courses to come,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman of Singapore Maritime Foundation.

“Collaborations like these are essential in addressing skills and knowledge gaps as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This partnership between the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Maritime Foundation underscores our commitment to advancing data literacy among maritime professionals. I am confident our collective efforts will greatly benefit the sector in its data-driven initiatives,” said Professor Susanna Leong, Dean of NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education.

In 2020, NUS launched the Data Literacy Programme (DLP) for its Executive and Administrative workforce. The DLP comprises a suite of basic, intermediate and advanced data literacy courses offered under a micro-credential model. To date, NUS has progressively trained, upskilled, and re-skilled over 4,000 of its staff.

Modelled on these DLP courses, NUS will now co-create applied data science and analytics courses specifically tailored to the maritime workforce in Singapore. These blended-learning courses are designed to optimise learning while accommodating the family, social, and work commitments of working adults. Certifications awarded to learners who satisfactorily completed these courses can be stacked towards a Master’s degree in the future.

As part of the co-creation process, a pilot run will be conducted in September 2024 to facilitate the exchange of ideas in curriculum design and domain knowledge. This will be followed by a roll-out of customised courses in the first quarter of 2025.

“The DLP blended-learning model empowers adult learners to acquire new skills, advance in their careers, or switch career paths, all without causing major disruptions to their daily work. This flexibility is essential in today’s fast-evolving job market, ensuring that our workforce remains competitive, agile and adaptable,” said Associate Professor Tok Eng Soon, Director of Learning and Development Academy, NUS Office of Human Resources.