Since 1981, NUS-ISS has been delivering graduate programmes to over 4,600 students, with the Master of Technology (MTech) programmes in Software Engineering (SE), Knowledge Engineering (KE), Enterprise Business Analytics (EBAC) and IT Leadership (ITL).
Designed to produce highly employable IT professionals and data scientists who will be comprehensively equipped with the knowledge and skills required by the local and regional industry, the MTech programmes are for practitioners by practitioners. The teaching staff are professionals who have worked for many years in the industry, with highly relevant and real working experiences to pass on to the next generation of IT professionals and data scientists.
Emphasising state-of-the-practice techniques, tools and technology, as well as internationally recognised methodologies, the MTech programmes offer IT professionals and data scientists the opportunity to upgrade their skills by studying part-time while pursuing their careers, or the option to go full-time.
Training professionals for the industry
Dr Leong Mun Kew, Deputy Director, NUS-ISS, said, “The MTech programmes are designed to help fill the shortfall of IT professionals and data scientists in Singapore and the region. We expect to draw entry-level practitioners who desire to move up to a specialist-level position, as well as professionals in the related fields who wish to acquire skills to enhance their current role or switch to a specialist position. The MTech degree is a passport and a springboard to a new career in IT.”'
Apart from lectures, workshops and examinations, the MTech programmes also expose the students to hands-on practice through projects with real-world organisations for part-time students, or an 8-month internship programme for full-time students. These allow the students to gain deeper insights into the subjects which they have studied and also serve as platforms for students to observe and experience future job roles upon graduation and develop realistic expectations for their future careers.
Hands-on and Practical Skills
Tomy Jaya (3rd from right in photo) was looking for a part-time programme that would sharpen his skills in software development and which would give him the career boost that he is looking for.
“NUS-ISS is well-known in the industry for its programme, hence when I was looking for a Master’s Programme, I looked no further,” said Tomy, “the MTech programme was very well-structured, especially for part-time students. Classes were mostly scheduled on Saturdays, which is suitable for IT professionals with a relatively hectic work commitment, like myself.”
Part-time students make up an estimate of 40% for each MTech programme intake.
Previously an Application Developer at Credit Suisse Singapore, the hands-on and applicable skills which Tomy has picked up in the MTech SE programme gave him new job opportunities as he found a new job as an Agile Software Developer at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Singapore.
“The programme gave me applicable, current and practical skills to advance my career as a software developer. In addition, it equipped me with complementary skillsets in software design and requirement analysis, project management, solution architecting and quality management, to be an innovative leader in my field of expertise,” said Tomy.
Tomy added, “When I enrolled in this course, I expected to enhance and sharpen my skills in the field and it did exactly that. Not only have I become a technically-stronger software developer, the programme has exposed me to a myriad of software engineering best practices, which serves as arsenals in developing my career in the future.”
To those who are considering the part-time programme, Tomy has this piece of advice, “It is definitely challenging, but at the same time, rewarding as well. Juggling your commitments and priorities will require solid time management skills, as well as several sacrifices and hard choices. Nevertheless the sense of accomplishment and career prospects that you get upon graduation will be worth all the effort.”
If you are interested to find out more about the Master of Technology (MTech) programmes, sign up for the upcoming preview talks here
This was first published in an earlier article in The Straits Times on 31 August 2015. Click here to read