NP Impact

NP’s partners with Siemens and A*STAR to accelerate Industry 4.0 adoption and upskilling

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) has unveiled two initiatives aimed at strengthening the advanced manufacturing industry, identified by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as a priority sector for Singapore’s national AI strategy.

In partnership with Siemens, the only SkillsFuture Queen Bee in advanced manufacturing, NP has rolled out a smart manufacturing platform designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accelerate their Industry 4.0 transformation.

Additionally, NP and A*STAR have introduced Singapore’s first stackable Specialist Diploma in Smart Manufacturing (SDSM). It is the first polytechnic-led programme of its kind that gives learners the flexibility to progressively deepen their expertise across multiple reputable training providers.

Enabling SMEs to Test Technologies Before Adoption

Ms Isabel Chong, Siemens’ Senior Vice-President & Head of Digital Industries for ASEAN; Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development; and Mr Lim Kok Kiang, NP’s Principal & CEO at the MOU Signing Ceremony during World Engineering Day 2026

Developed under NP’s strategic collaboration with Siemens, the smart manufacturing platform integrates digital technologies, automation and data analytics within a reconfigurable, industry ready environment.

Learners exploring the Siemens smart manufacturing platform housed in NP
Source: Lianhe Zaobao©️SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

This offers SMEs the opportunity to trial automation and robotics solutions suited to their operations before making major investment decisions. Apart from shortening trial-and-error cycles, the platform will reduce adoption risks and enable companies to move more confidently towards their Industry 4.0 implementation.

Building the Talent Pipeline with AI-focused Skills

Beyond technology adoption, NP’s partnership with A*STAR also focuses on developing the talent capabilities needed for AI-enabled manufacturing.

Through the Specialist Diploma in Smart Manufacturing (SDSM) – Singapore’s first stackable polytechnic-led programme in this field – engineers, manufacturing professionals, and fresh graduates seeking to upskill in the field can progressively deepen their expertise in AI-enabled manufacturing.

The programme adopts a stackable module structure, allowing learners to build their qualifications through Post Diploma Certificates (PDCs) and work towards a full Specialist Diploma.

Under this model, PDCs and selected short courses are cross-recognised between NP and A*STAR, giving learners greater flexibility while ensuring their skills remain aligned with evolving industry needs.