To train students in acquiring work-ready AI skills, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has launched two new AI training facilities – the Drone & Robot Hub and Advanced Computing Lab. 

These facilities were launched at the AI & Digital Readiness Partnership event at ITE College West today, by Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry. Details on the programme can be found in Annex A.

Drone & Robot Hub

Featuring a six-metre high ceiling, the Drone & Robot Hub will train students across various disciplines in programming drones and robots to carry out various performances or tasks in an indoor environment. These include synchronised movements and navigation of obstacles. Such skills may be used for staging mass display performances in the entertainment industry, or security surveillance and search and rescue missions.

The facility is equipped with a 14 metres x 3 metres curved LED video wall and a portable stage platform (see image below), which provides a realistic setting for students to design and programme multiple drones and robots to perform specific actions in a coordinated way. It is the first-of-its-kind at ITE.

Advanced Computing Lab

The Advanced Computing Lab (see image below) provides learners the resources to use high performance computing (HPC), as they aggregate the computing power remotely through a virtual platform to develop and train AI applications and models. ITE has developed an elective module in HPC for Higher Nitec students and HPC Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses for adult learners.

New Industry Partnerships

At the event, ITE separately signed a series of partnership agreements with four technology companies specialising in AI. These companies are (i) Aruba, a Hewett Packard Enterprise company, (ii) Intel Corporation, (iii) SoftBank Telecom Singapore, and (iv) Tata Consultancy Services. 

Under these agreements, the partner companies will be collaborating with ITE to enhance AI training for students. This will include providing internship opportunities for ITE students, and supporting ITE’s AI curriculum development.

For instance, Intel Corporation will be extending its AI for Future Workforce programme to ITE. The company will be training ITE staff as lead facilitators of the programme, who will in turn deliver the training to students. The AI for Future Workforce programme serves to equip students with key AI skills for improved employability in the digital economy.

In addition, SoftBank Telecom Singapore will be supporting the set-up of an AI and Robotics training facility at ITE College West. The company has allowed ITE to use two of its signature humanoid robots, called “Pepper” and “Nao” respectively, for training purposes at the Lab. 

Annex A

AI & Digital Readiness Partnership Event

Thursday 10 February 2022

Networking Lounge, Block 3, Level 4, ITE College West, 

1 Choa Chu Kang Grove, Singapore 688236

Programme