As I reflect on 2024, I feel inspired and energised for what's ahead.

The year has opened our eyes to a world of infinite possibilities, driven by rapid advancements in technology. Most notably, generative artificial intelligence, which is redefining roles and revolutionising the way we work.

What does that mean for NUS-ISS? It reinforces our responsibility to equip professionals and businesses with the skills, knowledge, and strategies to thrive in this fast-evolving digital era. And we have risen to this challenge.

Guided by our ISS2030 vision, we enhanced our executive education and graduate programmes, deepened industry partnerships, strengthened our international presence, and drove organisational growth.

At the end of the day, the value of NUS-ISS hinges on our impact on the digital economy. I am proud to say that our influence far exceeds our modest size.

Since our inception in 1981, NUS-ISS trained more than 188,000 digital leaders and professionals, equipping them with future-ready skills. We served 8,740 corporate clients, helping these organisations strengthen their digital capabilities. 8,230 graduates form our vibrant NUS-ISS alumni community, and many of whom are now driving digital transformation in leading organisations.

And in 2024, we expanded our impact even further.

Through our partnership with GovTech Singapore, we continue to elevate digital capabilities and foster a culture of continuous learning, agility, and adaptability, ensuring that the public sector remains future-ready in an increasingly digital world.

Since its launch in 2021, the Digital Academy has empowered more than 9,800 public service officers with cutting-edge digital capabilities. Among them, over 87 senior leaders have graduated from our flagship Leadership Milestone Programmes for CIOs, including the successful completion of the 3rd run in 2024, with another currently underway in early 2025. In 2024, NUS-ISS also introduced three new Generative AI courses, designed to equip public sector leaders and professionals with the tools to leverage emerging technologies for greater innovation and operational efficiency.

Our commitment to accelerating digital excellence extends beyond the shores of Singapore. We launched our online Blended Learning programmes in 2022 to share new knowledge with professionals and the industry on a just-in-time basis. Since then, we have enrolled 1,033 international students, including participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia. Over 663 Blended Learning certificates have since been issued, almost fourfold increase over the past two years reflecting our success in expanding access to critical digital skills and empowering a global community of learners.

NUS-ISS continued to support industry partners in strengthening their workforce capabilities. In 2024, our collaborations with the Visa Technology Traineeship Programme and the IBF Technology in Finance Immersion Programme enabled professionals to upskill in software development, software engineering, and business analysis, equipping them with essential digital competencies for the evolving industry landscape. We also supported 751 professionals through the NCS Nucleus Programme, with 384 earning graduate certificates. The first cohort from the Nucleus programme through the stackable route will be conferred the Master of Technology degree in 2025, marking a significant milestone since the launch of the NCS Nucleus Programme in 2019.

We also enabled 774 industry professionals to earn joint certifications in Managing Digital Products and DevSecOps, in collaboration with the Singapore Computer Society. These credentials are also stackable into graduate certificates.

Our partnerships are now bridging digital talent across borders too.

In Manila, our Data Science Leadership Programme for Ayala Corporation is equipping professionals with advanced analytics expertise. In the United States, our multi-year collaboration with the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis is bringing NUS-ISS AI and data science courses to professionals and students across North America.

Inspiring our people to make a difference

While pursuing digital excellence, we also believe that when our people thrive, so does our collective impact. That is why we are committed to creating an environment where our staff can grow, stay inspired, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. From team-bonding activities that foster well-being and camaraderie to brown bag sessions that spark continuous learning, we empower our people to reach their full potential.

Through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes such as Food Donation Drive, Appliances Donation to voluntary welfare organisations’ beneficiaries, we provide opportunities for our people to give back in meaningful ways. By integrating CSR into our culture, we cultivate a workplace where social responsibility and professional excellence go hand in hand, creating lasting value for both our people and the broader community.

We are proud of how far we have come. When NUS-ISS was founded in 1981, our mission was clear: to rapidly expand the pool of digital talent and raise professional standards in Singapore's IT industry fast. We designed our curriculum such that graduates could hit the ground running and be productive in the shortest period of time.

And digital transformation is a journey that will go on. At NUS-ISS, we believe our greatest moments are not in the past, but in the future. As we move forward, we remain relentlessly committed to our brand mission: To relentlessly shape, guide, and accelerate talent and organisations in their pursuit of digital excellence.

Together with our stakeholders, partners and my entire NUS-ISS family, we look forward to creating an even greater impact in the years ahead.