Singapore Polytechnic (SP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Santa Clara, California-based database company, DataStax, to incorporate training and certification programmes into the curriculum of Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).
The academic partnership aims to support Singapore’s national digitalisation initiatives, transform the country’s workforce into real-time data experts, and help advance organisations into the digital-first future, SP said in a statement.
The joint academic programme will focus on in-demand skill areas such as database management and application and data utilisation.
SP aims to equip students with the “relevant competencies” for the tech workforce, especially in engineering domains.
It would include the use of DataStax's cloud-native and scalable Astra DB NoSQL database in SP’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering's Pre-Employment Training course (EEE-PET).
DataStax is best known for its product Astra DB, a cloud database-as-a-service based on Apache Cassandra.
Apache Cassandra is an open-source NoSQL distributed database that is used by thousands of companies for scalability and high availability without compromising performance.
Full-time students taking the course will learn how to utilise the database through a hands-on approach via practical work, projects and internships.
SP said the curriculum would include modules such as Client Server Application Development and Mobile Application Development that would equip learners with the knowledge and skill sets to develop multiple platform applications using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, in areas such as Industry 4.0.
Additionally, SP and DataStax will co-conduct short courses and certification examinations to enhance participants’ employability with local and international companies.
DataStax also aims to support students throughout their academic journey by providing free preparation workshops and vouchers.
The collaboration comes as Singapore's digital sector experienced a 22 per cent year-on-year growth from US$15 billion (S$ 19.98 billion) in 2021 to US$18 billion (S$23.98 billion) in 2022, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2022 report.
The partnership with SP marks the latest in a series of academic partnerships between DataStax and Asia Pacific universities. In Singapore, the company previously partnered with Nanyang Polytechnic to co-develop big data management curricula and training programmes for their students and learners.
