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Singapore Polytechnic Strengthens Position as a Leading Force in the Built Environment Sector

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At BEX Asia 2024, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) solidified its commitment to driving industry transformation by inking agreements with four key industry partners: British Standards Institution, ISS Facility Services, Kajima Development and the Soilbuild Construction Group. These collaborations focused on enhancing productivity,  adopting digital technologies, fostering innovations, and promoting sustainability in the built environment (BE) sector. Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, graced BEX  Asia 2024 as the guest of honour.

Solidifying Strategic Partnerships at BEX Asia 2024

The partnership with the British Standards Institution (BSI Singapore) emphasises developing a skilled sustainability workforce leading to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Practitioner and Professional certifications. Certified practitioners/professionals can help their organisation achieve net zero goals by quantifying, verifying, and validating GHG emissions and reporting in an impartial and evidence-based approach.

 

The alliance with ISS Facility Services aims to drive innovation, productivity, and digitalisation within the Built Environment-Facilities Management sector. This partnership will support curriculum development, co-organise Learning Journeys focused on Smart FM  technologies and sustainability, and provide lecturers and students with industry attachment and internship opportunities.

 

The collaboration with Kajima Development focuses on driving innovation by co-creating  Learning Journeys, supporting SP startups, and leveraging Kajima’s The GEAR Lab as a living laboratory for testing solutions.

 

The partnership with the Soilbuild Construction Group aims to enhance productivity and digital adoption through joint projects and talent development. This MoU also paves the way for SP students to engage in industry-relevant projects, internships, and potential scholarship programmes, further bridging the gap between academia and industry. These strategic alliances would nurture a future-ready workforce and drive the development of new initiatives to address industry challenges.

 

Demonstrating Innovation and Leadership in the BE sector

This year marked the third time that SP exhibited at BEX Asia. At this year’s event, SP  showcased the ingenuity of its students and staff, presenting innovative solutions to address contemporary challenges in the built environment. Under the theme “Building a Sustainable  Future with Innovative Technologies,” SP highlighted its commitment to advancing digitalisation, innovation, and sustainability in the industry and the importance of integrating academic learning with real-world applications.

 

Highlights of the showcase include:

  • To enhance construction productivity and accuracy and reduce human error, SP  developed a mixed-reality construction workflow as part of the Architecture & the Built  Environment School’s (ABE) Automation and Digital Fabrication Corridor. This innovative workflow allows complex design models to be overlaid onto the physical environment, providing fabricators with precise reference lines to assemble elements more efficiently. It also bridges the gap between advanced technology and varying levels of expertise within the industry.
  • SP’s Data Science & Analytics Centre (DSAC) highlighted an AI-enabled Parts Management for Intelligent Maintenance solution designed to provide prescribed recommendations to optimise inventory levels and streamline reordering processes.  This tackles common issues such as overstocking and unexpected parts shortages in warehouses, effectively reducing delays and the reliance on unsustainable reactive maintenance practices.
  • In collaboration with various organisations, SP’s Advanced Materials Technology  Centre (AMTC) featured products poised to advance industry sustainability,  buildability, and maintainability, making them ready for widespread industry adoption.

 

BE Transformation Learning Journey: Driving Innovations to Design, Build and Manage

The event also marked the launch of the Built Environment (BE) Transformation Learning  Journey, supported by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Located at SP, this learning journey provides SMEs and students insights into this resilient, future-focused industry. The learning journey is also designed to propel the BE industry into the future by raising awareness of the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) and its three key pillars:  Integrated Planning and Design, Advanced Manufacturing & Automation, and Sustainable  Urban Systems.

 

The learning journey is structured to achieve two primary objectives:

  • For SMEs: The learning journey displayed transformative examples within the BE  sector, illustrating how companies adapt to new technologies and innovative practices.  SMEs can strategically plan their business and workforce transformation, with follow-up support available, including training programmes and funding assistance.
  • For Youth: The learning journey featured progressive companies within the BE sector,  demonstrating that the industry is forward-looking and dynamic. This showcase aimed to inspire current and prospective students by presenting potential career opportunities with leading-edge companies prioritising innovation and sustainability.

 

This immersive experience offers visitors a deeper understanding of the latest advancements shaping the BE sector and how they can participate in this exciting transformation.

 

Ms Georgina Phua, Deputy Principal (Development) of Singapore Polytechnic, said, “Singapore Polytechnic is thrilled to be a key player at BEX Asia 2024. This event underscores our steadfast dedication to advancing sustainability, digitalisation and innovation in the Built Environment sector. Partnering with the British Standards Institution, Kajima Development, and the Soilbuild Construction Group, we aim to revolutionise the industry, empowering SMEs and nurturing future talent. Our integrated approach sets new industry benchmarks, solidifying  our position as a leader in driving industry transformation and fostering meaningful advancements.”

 

 

 

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Grundfos Appointed as Industry Partner to Support Singapore Polytechnic’s Green Campus Ambitions

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Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technology, has been appointed by Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to be its industry partner to co-drive and support its decarbonisation journey through greater water and energy efficiency on campus. In alignment with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, SP has set out a robust decarbonisation journey of greening its campus, reducing its environmental impact, and nurturing stewards of sustainability, with ongoing efforts towards certifying all 22 buildings in SP Green Mark Platinum by 2025.

 

The appointment is an expansion of an existing partnership with Grundfos signed back in 2021, under which the two parties look to co-develop energy and water-efficient smart solutions that support industries in Singapore in their efforts to be sustainable, through collaboration, talent development, and sustainability education.

 

Under this newly expanded remit, Grundfos will be providing SP with industry expertise and counsel on how the polytechnic can achieve greater water efficiency on campus, by evaluating how smart water solutions can help reduce its water and carbon footprint. Grundfos will also be providing valuable proof of concepts in the form of regular knowledge sharing on pilot projects.

 

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To mark this occasion, an SP delegation led by Principal and CEO, Mr Soh Wai Wah, visited Grundfos’ global headquarters in Bjerringbro, Denmark for the partnership agreement signing ceremony. The delegate also toured the Grundfos wastewater treatment plant, the CR factory and the world’s leading dairy producer Arla’s Aarhus facility to experience smart water solutions in action. Both teams also had in-depth discussions on sustainability and education, areas of collaboration, and plans.

 

Commenting on this new milestone, Eric Lai, Grundfos’ Regional Managing Director, Industry – APAC & Country Director for Singapore, said that for Grundfos to support SP’s decarbonisation journey was a natural next step in their long-standing partnership. “With the first iteration of our partnership, we had set out to support Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises in harnessing energy and water-efficient smart solutions. Today, we are heartened to see SP demonstrating its commitment to ‘walk the talk’, by working with us to achieve a water and energy-efficient green campus using intelligent technology. We look forward to taking our work with SP to the next level through the expansion of this partnership and further supporting Singapore’s broader sustainability ambitions.”

 

Principal and CEO of Singapore Polytechnic, Soh Wai Wah, said, “SP believes in building a sustainable future for everyone, and has been working relentlessly to achieve this goal in our green journey. In our ongoing partnership with Grundfos, we have witnessed the real-life, tangible impact that smart sustainability solutions can make a difference in one’s carbon footprint. We are excited to work with Grundfos to showcase the green innovations and technologies to the region, and also amplify our sustainability efforts, and build a green campus that our staff and students can enjoy for generations to come.”