MaivenPoint, a leading EdTech SaaS provider and a subsidiary of AvePoint Inc., has joined forces with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to elevate continuing education programmes at SUTD Academy.
This strategic collaboration aims to address Singapore’s growing demand for technology talent by equipping professionals with advanced skills in data science and technology. The partnership was officially launched with the signing of a Collaboration Agreement.
As part of this initiative, SUTD, as the inaugural education partner, will offer a Master of Science in Technology and Design (Cybersecurity) programme (MTD). MaivenPoint will complement this by providing on-the-job training opportunities for an initial cohort of 100 students from Vietnam, beginning in September 2024. The programme will leverage MaivenPoint Vitae for comprehensive learning and student management.
John Leong, Director of SUTD Academy, commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with MaivenPoint to bring SUTD’s distinctive approach to design, AI, and technology to students from Vietnam.
“Our specially curated MTD programme not only sharpens their cybersecurity and risk management skills but also enhances their communication and design thinking abilities through hands-on internships with industry partners.
“We take pride in broadening access to quality education and equipping the next generation of technology professionals with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Addressing Singapore’s Technology Talent Shortage
As Singapore confronts a shortage of technology talent, particularly in fields like cybersecurity, data science, AI, and technology design, collaboration between universities and tech companies is critical. This partnership will support a work-and-learn programme that integrates academic study with practical work experience.
AvePoint, which continues to expand its workforce across the Asia-Pacific region, views this collaboration between its EdTech subsidiary MaivenPoint and SUTD as a key initiative to strengthen its talent pipeline.
AvePoint Co-Founder and CEO, Dr. Tianyi Jiang, remarked: “This collaboration highlights AvePoint’s dedication to fostering innovation and nurturing top-tier tech talent in the ever-evolving digital landscape. This symbiotic relationship between industry and academia provides students with unique real-world experiences while offering AvePoint a steady influx of job-ready professionals.”
Enhancing Workforce Integration with a Two-Year Work and Learn Programme
The programme will offer 100 placement opportunities in 2024-2025 for students pursuing postgraduate IT degrees, focusing on key skills like Cybersecurity, AI, Cloud Computing, and Data Science. Participants will benefit from a two-year work-and-learn visa, enabling them to gain valuable work experience while studying.
MaivenPoint will facilitate on-the-job training within global tech firms in Singapore, helping students refine their skills, build professional networks, and integrate into Singapore’s dynamic technology ecosystem.
This hands-on experience is designed to promote innovation and collaboration, helping students seamlessly transition into the local workforce and contribute to Singapore’s technology sector.
Zoe Shang, Chief Operating Officer at MaivenPoint, stated: “Our partnership with SUTD underscores our commitment to advancing education through technology. By merging practical work opportunities with academic learning, we equip students with essential skills and foster a culture of innovation that aligns with Singapore’s vision of becoming a global technology hub.
“This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing the pressing need for tech talent, and we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of education and workforce development in the region.”
Empowering Local Businesses with Global Talent
Beyond this pilot programme, MaivenPoint is actively exploring expansion by partnering with more universities across ASEAN to offer similar opportunities to aspiring tech students. Plans are also underway to explore additional programmes, such as diploma-to-degree pathways and vocational certifications.
This expansion will enhance local universities’ international reach, attract more students to their programmes, and support educational institutions with MaivenPoint’s SaaS learning and student management system. This system will enable them to innovate in delivering multidisciplinary programmes, streamline recruitment, and efficiently manage student services remotely.
The programme will also foster an ecosystem that helps regional tech talent better understand Singapore’s needs. By combining academic knowledge from SUTD’s Masters in Cybersecurity, on-the-job training with industry partners like MaivenPoint, and core skills development, the programme aims to thoroughly prepare students for integration into Singapore’s workforce.
