[27 August 2002]
The Institution of Engineers, Singapore, Partners with Singapore Management University to Launch First Technology Management Series

Specialised Programmes to Equip Engineers for Management Roles in Increasingly Competitive Business Environment

The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), and Singapore Management University (SMU) will be signing a memorandum of understanding (‘MOU’) to establish their collaborative efforts in the development and delivery of a series of Technology Management Executive Programmes on 27 August 2002.

The MOU signing will be officiated by Mr Teo Ming Kian, Chairman, Economic Development Board. The guest speaker is Mr Henn Tan, Chairman & CEO, Trek 2000 International, who will talk on the competitive advantages of effective technology management.

This Collaboration is the first initiative launched under the IES Technopreneurship & Professional Development framework that aims to develop and equip the engineering profession with the latest concepts, methodology and knowledge in technology entrepreneurship and technology management.

“In a knowledge-based economy that is innovation driven, engineers need to master and integrate the engineering and management skills. The IES-SMU programmes will provide the engineers with the knowledge to evolve them into technology managers. We are targeting these programs for Asia.” said Er. Dr Lock Kai Sang, President of IES.

This new executive education series will equip IES members with critical management tools to ensure that they have the right combination of technological know-how and business savvy to succeed in today’s fast-moving commercial environment. The programmes aim to empower participants with the necessary skills to capitalise on the region’s business opportunities.

Assoc Prof Annie Koh, Program Director, SMU, adds, "SMU is rapidly becoming a hub of innovative business research and training. Being able to support IES by providing a rigorous and challenging learning environment will help Singapore's technology managers compete on a global level. "

The partnership will see IES providing strategic direction for the programmes, with SMU being actively involved in curriculum design, development of teaching materials and programmes organization. The series will commence with the “Chief Technology Officer Program” in November 2002, which aims to provide current CTOs and senior executives with the latest concepts and applications in the field of technology management. Two other programmes, planned for next year, will focus on the financial and marketing aspects of technology businesses.