RP broadens immersive learning experiences

- RP-LTA Rail Operations Management Lab is the first such facility in a Singapore institute of higher learning

- Republic Polytechnic (RP) signed a  memorandum of understanding (MoU) with LTA, SMRT and SBS Transit

- RP-RSA-Ensign Cyber Threat Intelligence Centre is a joint collaboration between RP, RSA and Ensign InfoSecurity

- RP signed a MoU with Ensign InfoSecurity

- Republic Polytechnic (RP) launched the RP-LTA Rail Operations Management Lab and RP-RSA-Ensign Cyber Threat Intelligence Centre at its Open House 2019.

The new facilities will provide students enrolled in the Diploma in Engineering Systems & Management (DESM) and Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) with an immersive learning experience and supplement their course curriculum with hands-on practice to prepare them for the real working environment.  

The event was graced by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Communications and Information, who officiated the opening of both facilities and witnessed the signing of two MoUs – the first between RP, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit (SBST), and the second between RP and Ensign InfoSecurity. 

Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO of Republic Polytechnic said, “As emerging technologies and market forces create new disruptions across many industries, Singapore needs a highly-skilled and adaptable workforce that is ahead of the curve. Republic Polytechnic is delighted to work hand-in-hand with our industry partners LTA, SMRT, SBST, RSA and Ensign InfoSecurity to further deepen our students’ specialised skillsets and knowledge across the urban transport and cybersecurity fields.” 

Rail Operations Management Lab and partnership with LTA, SMRT and SBST 

The RP-LTA Rail Operations Management Lab is modelled after an Operations Control Centre (OCC) for urban rail lines, which is usually located within the train depot. 

The lab combines LTA’s rail operations expertise with RP’s engineering strengths, and contributes towards the goal of developing a skilled rail workforce with both deep technical expertise and cross-functional capabilities.

Through the lab, students from the DESM will be trained to take on significant roles in an OCC. This is done through an authentic, realistic and immersive learning experience, where students can gain exposure on the driverless railway systems currently being used in Singapore’s transport network.

Through simulations, students will also have the opportunity to build up their crisis management skills..  

Some of the lab’s key features include:

An Integrated Supervisory Control System (ISCS), which provides the retrieval of field inputs and remote control of field devices for a variety of subsystems in trains, tunnels, passenger stations, and power substations

A Video Wall Display System, showing the critical systems’ schematics that mimic an urban rail line with six stations

Said LTA’s Deputy Chief Executive (Infrastructure & Development), Chua Chong Kheng said rhe experiential training offered will equip students with the necessary skills to make a difference in the workforce of the future.

He said, “In our efforts to encourage more Singaporeans to embrace Walk, Cycle, Ride as their preferred way of travel, we are rapidly expanding our rail network with new lines and extensions that will bring the convenience and connectivity of rail closer to more homes. To support the expansion of our rail network, it is important that we attract, develop and nurture the next generation of urban railway engineers and professionals skilled in operating these lines."

RP’s DESM diploma programme focuses on training urban transport professionals for positions in operations. The second batch of DESM students will graduate in 2019. 

RP also signed a MoU with LTA, SMRT and SBST to affirm their mutual commitment to developing the local land transport industry workforce and growing the pool of professionals as Singapore moves towards a more car-lite future.

Leong Yim Sing, Head of Rail for SBS Transit, said, "We are happy to continue this collaboration as it will help nurture more qualified engineers for our rail network as well as public transport operations staff to ensure that the industry's growing manpower needs are met. This will ultimately benefit the entire public transport industry."

Gan Boon Jin, CTO of SMRT Corporation said that SMRT will also offer teaching faculty attachment opportunities to gain experience in the operations and maintenance of the RTS.

"This collaboration will enable students to have a better understanding of the growing complexities in running the rail system, and build engineering capabilities that will benefit the overall transport industry,” he said.

RP-RSA-Ensign Cyber Threat Intelligence Centre and MoU with Ensign Infosecurity 

With the prevalence of cyberattacks, Singapore is deepening its cybersecurity capabilities as part of its Smart Nation initiative. The new RP-RSA-Ensign Cyber Threat Intelligence Centre will enable RP students enrolled in the Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) to encounter and manage realistic cyberthreat scenarios as part of their training.

The centre was established through a joint laboratory agreement signed today between RP and cybersecurity firms RSA and Ensign InfoSecurity. It will focus on research in the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile malware, specifically on cyber threat monitoring and threat intelligence for IoT and mobile devices.

Yeoh Keat Chuan, CEO of Ensign InfoSecurity, said the company aims to build up the local cyber ecosystem that will enhance Singapore and the region’s cybersecurity.

He said, “Ensign is deeply focused on building high-end cyber capabilities, such as cyber analytics, threat research and intelligence. We view these capabilities as gamechangers in cyberdefence. As such, Ensign is dedicated to recruiting and training cyberprofessionals in these emerging fields and our collaboration with RP is one such example."

The facility has high-end security monitoring hardware, with RSA providing  the security monitoring and analytics hardware/software while Ensign InfoSecurity lends its technical expertise in creating decoy network systems, designed to trap and track hackers. With this system, Ensign InfoSecurity will provide guidance to students to analyse the attacks and learn about the cybercriminal’s motives, tactics and tools.

In addition, both organisations will provide technical experts and security analysts so students will have opportunities to work alongside industry professionals and gain exposure to leading solutions and technologies.

“The lack of expertise against the need to gain real-time insights on the increasingly sophisticated cyberthreat landscape will continue to threaten the rise of digital risk in today’s world of digitalisation. RSA’s partnership with Republic Polytechnic will focus on evolving the skillsets of the next generation of cybersecurity talents and also enhance their capabilities to accelerate threat detection and rapid response. We are excited to be partnering with Republic Polytechnic to advance Singapore’s cybersecurity agenda,” said Edward Lim, Senior Director, APJ at RSA.

Research activities conducted in the Centre will also go towards enhancing the DISM course curriculum and enhancing technical capabilities of RP staff and students, as well as that of RSA and Ensign InfoSecurity engineers.

In conjunction with the opening of the Centre, RP also signed a MoU agreement with Ensign InfoSecurity to support the development of skilled manpower and provide students with opportunities for internships and collaborations on their final-year projects.