Address by Mr Alvin Goh, Principal/ITE College East, at the MOU Signing between ITE and TP-Link Corporation Pte Ltd

1.           Today marks an important milestone as we gather to formalise the partnership between ITE and TP-Link, a leader in global networking and smart connectivity. This collaboration is not only a step forward for our two organisations, but also a significant contribution to Singapore's vision of a Smart Nation and a digitally empowered workforce.

2.           TP-Link, established in 1996, has become a trusted name  worldwide,  delivering  reliable  networking solutions to millions across more than 170 countries. Their expertise spans across Wi-Fi routers, enterprise networking systems, Al-driven surveillance, and smart home devices, making them an excellent partner to help advance our curriculum and training.

3.           Our partnership with TP-Link aligns directly with Singapore's SkillsFuture movement and Industry Transformation RoadMaps. Together, we will strengthen key areas in:

·     Networking technologies

·     AI-powered surveillance, and

·     Internet of Things (IoT) integration

These are essential pillars for Singapore’s digital  economy, security, and sustainable development.

4.           Through this partnership, we aim to:

·     Co-create industry-relevant courses and modular CET options for both recent graduates and those seeking mid-career skills upgrades

·     Enable technology transfer through equipment sponsorships, internships, and international immersion experiences

·     Encourage innovation and hands-on learning with joint projects and competitions

5.           Already, our earlier collaboration has achieved concrete outcomes:

·     Three CET modules, in areas of - Wireless Network Administrator, Surveillance System Integrator, and Network Administrator—have been co-developed and delivered, training over 300 participants and supporting accessible and affordable upskilling for Singaporeans.

·     In the area of Educator development: Two of our lecturers are receiving the TP-Link Omada Expert Trainer Certificate today, enhancing our in-house capabilities.

·     On student achievements: 16 students have been certified in Omada and VIGI technologies. This group of second-year students will soon begin one-year internships in October that combine technical mastery with essential soft skills training.

·     To encourage global exposure: 20 students will travel to China in November for an industry immersion at TP-Link headquarters, supporting the government’s call for global mindsets and international collaboration.

6.           Beyond training, TP-Link has helped us secure six additional internship placements with companies such as Ever Higher, Koble, Sigma3, and TACHub. We also welcome partners from QSERV and Reditech, who have actively engaged our interns and Work-Study Programme students. This network demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating opportunities beyond a single partnership.

7.           TP-Link has also generously invested in ITE College East, to upgrade three Communications Labs across our campuses. These labs feature:

·     Wi-Fi 7 configuration and deployment

·     Secure Layer 2/3 routing and switching

·     Cloud-managed networking and analytics

·     AI-enhanced video surveillance and access control, and

·     IoT integration for smart estates

Such upgrades provide our students with authentic, hands-on learning environments that prepare them for the future workplace.

8.           To conclude, this partnership exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that fuels Singapore’s progress — bridging together education and industry, local vision and global expertise. On behalf of ITE, I thank TP-Link for their trust and commitment to nurturing the next generation of networking and surveillance professionals. Working together, we will continue to build a skilled, future-ready talent pool to drive Singapore’s digital transformation.

Thank you.