Reshma Ravishanker

Established in 2010 as the “world’s first Design AI university”, SUTD has acquired an international reputation for its tertiary education and research in artificial intelligence, design and technology.

The new genre Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD, estb.2010), which bills itself as the “world’s first Design AI university,” has acquired an international reputation for providing tertiary education and research in the futuristic disciplines of artificial intelligence, design, and technology. In the latest QS Asia University Rankings 2024, SUTD is ranked #37. Not surprising since this young university has already established 17 research centres, raised over S$665 million (Rs.4,256 crore) in research funding, published 8,174 research papers with 187,256 citations, registered 269 patents and incubated 83 start-ups.

Currently, SUTD offers undergrad and postgraduate degree programmes in architecture and sustainable design, design and artificial intelligence, engineering product development, engineering systems and design, computer science and design. The varsity has 2,800 students mentored by 528 faculty — a quarter of whom are ranked among the top 2 percent of scientists worldwide — on its musters. The varsity’s distinguishing feature is its focus on experiential, hands-on learning to enable students to apply technology and innovation to solve live real-world problems. Graduates tend to be employed within six months of their final exams with half receiving two or more job offers.

SUTD was conceived by the Singapore government in 2009 as a collaboration venture between the government, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Zhejiang University (ZJU), China. It was officially inaugurated by the island republic’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam in 2012. Initially sited on the campus of the Institute of Technical Education, in 2015, it moved to its own campus in Upper Changi. In the initial year, MIT helped to develop SUTD’s curriculum and research programmes and established an International Design Centre to serve as an incubator for design research and experimentation.

Singapore. Once a British colony and untidy port, over the past six decades Singapore (pop. 6 million) has evolved into an independent island republic, globally renowned for its spick ’n span environment, transformation into Southeast Asia’s business and financial entrepot and most prosperous, modern and well-administered country notable for civic discipline and high per capita income (US $49,000). The island republic hosts an excellent public transport system, public parks, museums, restaurants, nightclubs and tourist destinations including the verdant Botanic Gardens — a Unesco World Heritage site.

Singapore’s climate is tropical — warm and wet most of the year. December is the coolest month and May the warmest, with average temperatures ranging between 22-33°C. English is the language of administration, business and technology. The country hosts over 79,300 foreign students mostly from the neighbouring countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, and South Korea.

Campus facilities. The futuristic SUTD campus features interconnected buildings with open spaces enabling collaboration and interaction. Academic facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, hi-tech labs, studios, a 1,200-seat auditorium and digital libraries. The university’s unique Cohort Classrooms are reconfigurable learning spaces that can be used for various interactive projects, self-study and group discussion. Similarly, the Architecture Studios function as classrooms, work rooms and at times, even bedrooms for students.

SUTD’s library is sui generis providing vast digital learning access and essential printed books. It also hosts the Materials Collection — 900 different metals, woods, polymers and tiles — to complement material science and architecture degree programmes.

Another campus highlight is the university’s Fab Lab, a double-storey, 3,000 sq. m facility equipped with high-performance machines such as laser cutting and engraving systems, 3D printers, plastic injection moulding machines, vertical sanders, water-jet machining centers, vertical injection moulding machines, etc. Additionally, the Industrial Design Studio (IDer Studio), Innovative Digital Arts Lab (IDiA Lab), Information Systems Lab and Systems Design Studio offer students great opportunities for experiential learning.

Modern academic facilities apart, the SUTD campus provides a wide range of sports and recreation facilities including badminton, basketball, floorball, handball, netball, volleyball, tennis and squash courts, soccer field, swimming pools, synthetic athletics track, dance/aerobics studios, fitness centre, and music rooms.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirements for admission into SUTD’s undergrad programmes are completion of class XII and English language proficiency. Shortlisted students are required to write the SUTD University Entrance Examination (UEE). Applications must be submitted online, supported with class X and XII exam result transcripts and documentary evidence of leadership, involvement in research/internship/entrepreneurship programmes, community service, and any other significant achievements. For admission into postgraduate programmes, the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in addition to programme-specific admission criteria. For further information, please visit https://www.sutd.edu.sg/admissions.

Accommodation. SUTD’s on-campus accommodation is contiguous to academic blocks and sports facilities. All first-year undergraduate students are obliged to reside on campus during their first two terms. Students wishing to continue to reside on campus after Term 2 must apply during the main housing application exercise, held in February.

SUTD provides rooms of various configuration with every room furnished with a bed, wardrobe, study table, and chair. Common areas within the housing blocks include shared kitchens, lounges, laundry facilities, recreational, study and discussion rooms.

Degree programmes. SUTD offers undergrad and graduate degree programmes in design, artificial intelligence and technology (see box). However study of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) is compulsory to “elevate inquiry, analysis, interpretation and presentation skills”.

SCHOLASTIC OPTIONS AT SUTD

SUTD specialises in offering degree programmes in the disciplines of design, AI and technology. They include:
Undergraduate. Architecture and Sustainable Design, Design and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Product Development, Engineering Systems and Design, Computer Science & Design
Postgraduate. Design and Artificial Intelligence for Enterprise, Innovation by Design, Urban Science, Policy & Planning, Architecture, Security by Design, Dual Masters Programme in Nano-Electronics Engineering and Design, Technology & Design (Cybersecurity/Robotics & Automation/IC Design, Failure Analysis and Reliability/Human-centred Design/HealthTech Innovation/Data Science/Advanced IC Design and Technology).

Tuition fee (per year): S$30,650-62,076
Living expenses: S$12,000-24,000 S$=Rs.64