On 24 August 2022, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) under the National University of Singapore's College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HIMA Asia Pacific (HIMA).
Associate Professor Chai Kah Hin and Associate Professor Ivan Sin Siang-Meng with HIMA's Chief Executive Officer Mr JÓ§rg de la Motte and Vice President Mr Friedhelm Best at the MOU signing ceremony
The MoU was signed by Associate Professor Chai Kah Hin, Vice Dean of Masters' Programmes and Lifelong Learning at NUS CDE and Mr Friedhelm Best, Vice-President Asia Pacific of HIMA, which was witnessed by Associate Professor and Programme Chair Ivan Sin Siang-Meng and HIMA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr JÓ§rg de la Motte, who had flown in from Germany. The ceremony took place at HIMA Customer Solutions Center with a tour of their customer journey stations.
"We are honoured to partner HIMA, a world-leading specialist in safety-related automation, to develop field-worthy solutions and upskill the next generation of engineers. Our collaboration with HIMA will create meaningful opportunities for our students. Together with HIMA, we look forward to building a stronger pipeline of engineering talents," said Associate Professor Chai.
As HIMA is a leading provider of safety-related automation solutions, the partnership will train engineers with adequate skills in functional safety that can address potential security threats in the infrastructure, oil and gas, chemical and rail industries of the future.
The relationship between the two partners started in December 2019 with the launch of a new module Functional Safety for Process Industries for the Master of Science in Safety, Health and Environmental Technology (MSc SHE) programme. The programme is designed to train and develop future-ready leaders, practitioners, and professionals in SHE management. ChBE had since successfully run the module twice.
Mr Best said "We foresee performing a pivotal role in energising young engineers for future STEM career opportunities and further supporting the nation's growth in advanced manufacturing."
"The Asia Pacific region has always been an important core market for us. For more than 30 years, we have been expanding in Asia. Our recently launched Customer Solutions Center in Singapore is a testimony to our continued commitment to this region, to support regional societal initiatives, and to nurture industries with safety and security competencies. We are proud to call Singapore home and we are committed to continue to serve Singapore and the Asia Pacific moving forward," added Mr de la Motte.
The HIMA Customer Solutions Center will be available for NUS ChBE students to observe the actual operations within critical infrastructures and jointly develop use cases to demonstrate how functional safety will assist Singapore's transition toward advanced manufacturing and research on the potential of safe low-carbon hydrogen technology pathways. HIMA will also offer internship opportunities for NUS ChBE students to gain practical industry experience.
Associate Professor Sin summed up the occasion by saying, "The knowledge and skills that our students gain in the classroom, along with the hands-on opportunities offered by HIMA, will empower students with the confidence and competencies to solve complex real-world problems. This exciting collaboration with HIMA will better prepare our students for their engineering careers."
The event was broadcast live to HIMA's offices in the Asia Pacific to celebrate the momentous occasion together.
Assoc Prof Ivan Sin having a catch-up with a former student from SHE programme, Principal Consultant Sujith Bhaskara Panikkar who is now with HIMA Asia Pacific
