In partnership with Siemens, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) has launched a smart manufacturing platform to help businesses in Singapore pilot automation and robotics solutions in a hands-on environment before deploying at scale.

The platform integrates digital technologies, automation, and data analytics within a reconfigurable, industry-ready set-up. 

It aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) lower adoption risks and shorten experimentation cycles, thus enablingfaster and more confident transformation.

SMEs can look forward to both technology solutions and capabilities born out of Siemens’ industry expertise as well as NP’s experience in applied engineering education to support their implementation.

“As AI and the rapid pace of technological change reshape the engineering landscape, education and industry must work closely to translate innovation into real-world impact,” said Lim Kok Kiang, principal & CEO at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

“This collaboration strengthens our joint efforts to advance smart manufacturing and support companies on their Industry 4.0 transformation journeys.

“The platform also serves as a testbed, enabling companies to pilot and validate solutions before implementing them in their own operations.”

Training engineers for an AI-led world

In addition to the platform, NP announced its partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) tointroduce Singapore’s first stackable specialist diploma in smart manufacturing. 

Designed for industry practitioners like engineers, manufacturing professionals, and also fresh graduates, the specialist diplomaaims to equip learners with applied capabilities in next generation manufacturing such as AI and automation.

“Together, these initiatives strengthen both enterprise capability and workforce development, contributing to the talent pipeline needed to realise Singapore’s manufacturing aspirations,” said Lim.

The programme adopts a module stackable structure, where learners accumulate post-diploma certificates (PDCs) towards a full specialist diploma. PDCs and selected short courses are cross-recognised between NP and A*STAR, allowing learners to progressively build their qualification through modules offered by both training providers.

For a start, NP will offer two PDCs in smart manufacturing automation & analytics and industrial cybersecurity & resilience, while A*STAR will offer another in AI for manufacturing. 

The diploma aims to provide learners with greater flexibility while deepening their expertise in smart manufacturing.

The launch of both initiatives coincided with the celebration of World Engineering Day.

“As technologies evolve rapidly, engineers must pair technical depth with digital fluency — from AI and data analytics to automation, cybersecurity and ethics — while fostering a forward-looking and sustainable mindset in the next generation,” said Chan Ewe Jin, president at the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES).

“Ultimately, the future of engineering will not be defined by technology alone. It will be defined by engineers — our mindset, our values and our willingness to learn, innovate and lead transformation.

“On this World Engineering Day, let us reaffirm our shared responsibility as engineers: to design solutions that improve lives, to build resilient communities, and to create a more sustainable world for future generations.”