Global warming, climate change, environmental sustainability, famine, hunger, water and food security; these are some of the most pressing problems that the world is facing today. We are in need of new solutions and technologies if we are to change course and avoid a dire and dismal future. However, the way forward is anything but clear and easy; many of these problems are a complex mix of multiple interconnected issues, which require holistic solutions. Therefore, the people who can help devise the solutions and technologies to address these problems must be trained to be cross-disciplinary systems thinkers.

We sit down with Associate Professor (Assoc Prof) Loh Ai Poh, Programme Director of the Master of Science in Engineering Design & Innovation (MSc EDI), to find out more about the programme and how it aims to train graduates to solve these Gordian knots and provide innovative solutions through novel design thinking.

Interviewer: Most people associate the term ‘Engineering Design’ with construction and architecture. Can you help us to understand what Engineering Design really involves?

Assoc Prof Loh: Engineering Design is the process of formulating a solution (typically complex engineering solution) to a problem, designing, and putting together a product or a service. Engineering Design enables the whole problem-solving process, from forming an understanding of stakeholders’ needs and concerns to formulating a solution. The solution then needs to be designed and realised, with design thinking and product development being parts of the overall process.

Associate Professor Loh Ai Poh, Programme Director of the Master of Science in Engineering Design & Innovation Programme

Interviewer: Now that we have a clearer idea of what Engineering Design is, can you tell us how the MSc EDI programme differs from other engineering postgraduate degrees?

Assoc Prof Loh: The problems that we face currently are multifaceted and require a multidisciplinary approach to arrive at a holistic solution. This is where it is important to have engineering design knowledge and so we aim to train talented individuals to develop solutions to these problems through our programme.

The MSc EDI programme draws together principles from across various areas, including Design Thinking, Design Process and Systems Engineering, to confront wicked problems. This enables students to propose, design and develop complex products and solutions that incorporate both a broader, systems-level approach and a more intricately detailed perspective. The MSc EDI programme is unique in that it possesses a good balance between engineering and non-engineering disciplines, bringing together the ingredients necessary to spur successful innovation.

Interviewer: What does the programme curriculum cover?

Assoc Prof Loh: The programme structure has three educational verticals: Design, Enterprise and Technology. These verticals are offered to broaden students’ knowledge and skills, so that they have the technical ability as well as necessary perspectives to better solve problems.

All students will need to take three compulsory courses, one of which is the course Major Design Project (EG5303), which spans two semesters.

For this course, we have partnered with organisations to allow students insider industry access to work on design projects covering topics such as healthcare, sustainability, wearables and sustainability. These partners include local hospitals (Alexandra Hospital, Sengkang Hospital), public utility companies (Senoko Energy Pte Ltd) and other private entities (Bang & Olufsen). However, we do not limit project opportunities to our existing pool of partners; students can elect to conduct their projects with companies of their choice, including their current employers.

Students also have the flexibility to propose design projects or research topics that are of interest to them. In addition, modest funding will be allocated to support the development of their Major Design Project prototypes. More importantly, they will be mentored by an experienced team from diverse backgrounds.

Interviewer: What would be a special feature of this programme?

Assoc Prof Loh: One of the advantages offered by the programme is the customisable curriculum. Students have the opportunity to tailor their own fields of specialisation through the wide variety of courses available through the three verticals.

Regardless of the selection of courses, the highly qualified professionals in the faculty can provide them with guidance and advice. Besides experts in industrial design and the systems approach, we also have speciality engineers and even a mentor for start-ups. While pursuing their studies and working on their Major Design Projects, students will be able to tap on the faculty’s years of academic and industry experience.

In addition, students will also have at their disposal the facilities of the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre (EDIC) at the NUS College of Design and Engineering. Established in 2009, EDIC has extensive capabilities to support prototyping works, with facilities such as an engineering fabrication laboratory, assembly and electronics workshops, as well as design studios.

The Engineering Design and Innovation Centre houses a myriad of well-equipped facilities to support project work of students in the Innovation & Design Programme, MSc in Engineering Design & Innovation, as well as other students, researchers, and faculty members in the University. It also supports the training of students in the use of machining tools and various other manufacturing processes.

We are confident that with the resources of the EDIC and support from staff, students will be able to fully develop their project solutions. The track record of EDIC speaks for itself; it has been the launch bed for several acclaimed projects such as TinyMos, Invigilo, NuSpace, MediVR, ConcreteAI and Alpha Electrics. These projects involve a variety of products and services, from software solutions in the Internet of Things and virtual reality platforms to physical products such as swappable batteries and wireless power transfer in light electric vehicles. This diverse range of projects shows the ability of the EDIC to support the conceptualisation and development of various prototypes and we are confident that this will also apply to MSc EDI projects.

Interviewer: What tips or advice would you like to share with individuals applying for the MSc EDI programme?

Assoc Prof Loh: I would give two pieces of advice to applicants, which have to do with perspectives: i) be open to new and different perspectives in this programme, and ii) view problems from both the macro and micro perspectives.

Explore multiple perspectives in this programme to gain the most out of it. Students should leverage on fellow students’ strengths and backgrounds to enrich their project experience. They should stay engaged in the process to derive the most of their time in this programme and to take advantage of the resources that they can tap on.

In order to succeed, students should adopt both a macro and a micro perspective during the programme. To complete a project, they will need to develop a solution to a problem. However, they need to have an awareness about the broader scope of the problem to develop a more holistic solution. The programme does not necessarily aim to develop start-ups but to encourage students to adopt a holistic approach in solving problems, from working with stakeholders to prototyping, and verifying that the solutions work for the stakeholders.

The MSc EDI programme is open to anyone with the relevant academic or work-related experience and most importantly, is excited and passionate about design and problem-solving. Applicants should have experience in prototyping as they will be expected to come up with solutions to complex problems. It would be good too if they have a design portfolio that can showcase their competencies and achievements.

Interviewer: What career paths are open to the graduates of the MSc EDI programme?

Assoc Prof Loh: As mentioned earlier, the programme has established partnerships with companies across a wide range of industries. These partnerships show that the need for the kind of talent produced by the MSc EDI programme cuts across diverse areas. I believe that our graduates would have a broad selection of options when it comes to the kinds of industries or companies to which they can apply for jobs.

The key benefit of this programme is that it trains students to appreciate the full process of developing solutions from a problem statement. This is the beauty of the programme. Although the programme focuses primarily on the development of technical skills, it was also designed to equip students with the ability to critically analyse problems and develop solutions, a competency that is valued in any industry.

Graduates can also choose to further their development in their existing careers. The ability to apply design thinking, embark on product development and engineer solutions is an end-to-end competency that is a very powerful paradigm to possess. Coupled with the industry experience they already possess, such graduates will be able to create and develop solutions to solve problems and pain points, creating greater value for their organisations.

Applications for the Jan 2024 intake of MSc EDI programme are being accepted 15 Jul–31 Aug 2023. Designed for professionals who already have working knowledge in their own respective disciplines, the programme trains students to work together, making the most of their creativity and passion to solve societal challenges such as environmental sustainability, global warming, garbage overload, transportation congestion and many others.

For more information on the programme, visit https://masters.nus.edu.sg/programmes/master-of-science-in-engineering-design---innovation.

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