Modular Courses at Institutes of Higher Learning that Teach Future Economy Skills

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng asked the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) whether our institutions of higher learning can offer more courses in modular form that are relevant to the future economy such as subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), coding, robotics, cyber security, and data analytics.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers for Education (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills)): Madam, lifelong learning is part of the core mission of our institutes of higher learning (IHLs). Over the years, they have been increasing the number and range of short modular courses that are aligned to industry needs and in support of SkillsFuture. These are generally delivered in short modular format and adopted teaching methods that are suitable for working adults.

Between 2015 and 2016, the number of MOE/SSG supported courses offered by our Autonomous Universities and Polytechnics increased from about 2,200 to approximately 2,600. Many of these courses are in the areas of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics, including information and communication technology. This translated to about 90,000 and 105,000 training places in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

We can expect this number to be ramped up significantly in the coming years. This will be one of the major changes in our education landscape in the near future.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng (Pioneer): It is said that "it is not the strongest of species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change". So, it is good to hear that MOE and the IHLs are offering many modular courses. Many a time, one needs inter-disciplinary skills to achieve effective solutions for the customers. May I know if the cost and availability of such courses are well made known so that consumers can access them?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. I agree that we need to make sure that our courses are widely spread in terms of the outreach as well communication to the people. I want to assure the Member that we have been doing this, not only with the AUs and the Polytechnics, but we have also been doing this with all the training providers. We will continue this approach and process to make sure that we want to facilitate how we want to change the educational landscape in the future. We are at the beginning stage; I am confident we will be able to do that with the support of partners and all our education institutions.