The National University of Singapore (NUS), in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Lifelong Learning Singapore (LLSG), with support from the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), hosted the SkillsFuture Festival × NUS 2025 on 12 July 2025. Guest-of-Honour Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Education and Sustainability and the Environment, delivered a speech and toured the booths showcasing the IHLs' Continuing Education and Training (CET) initiatives. The event attracted more than 350 attendees.
IHLs doing more to support Continuing Education and Training
Themed 'FutureWork', SkillsFuture Festival × NUS 2025 brought together industry, thought leaders and practice-based academics to address key challenges, exchange new perspectives on up-and-coming trends, and uncover strategies on how Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), working professionals and mid-career individuals can make the most of lifelong learning to stay resilient and future-ready amidst the shifting global landscape.
In recent years, IHLs have progressively embarked on a series of initiatives to empower the local workforce to respond to workplace challenges stemming from the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), geopolitical uncertainties, and other similar disruptive forces. These initiatives range from tie-ups championing industry transformation, to refreshing existing CET programmes and the introduction of new courses.
To support mid-career individuals switching to new industries or job roles, IHLs are rolling out 54 new courses under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) this year (see Annexe). These new courses are designed to help mid-career individuals adapt to evolving job demands - from pivoting into new sectors and launching entrepreneurial ventures, to upskilling in emerging areas such as AI and immersive media.
Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President said, "It is our privilege to host the SkillsFuture Festival this year with the support of SSG and our partners from various IHLs. The collaborative ecosystem in continuous learning and development is vital in preparing and equipping all our students, graduates and working professionals to be resilient, adaptable and future-ready to thrive amidst global uncertainties and in the digital economy.
NUS is committed towards developing and delivering courses which are highly relevant to industry practice and work - by keeping abreast of skills that employers are looking for and designing our courses to impart such in-demand skills. Our bite-sized micro-credentials are popular, as we recognise how such stackable courses are more appealing to and better meet the needs of working adults."
Mr Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive of SSG said, "Our IHLs are key partners of the SkillsFuture movement. With their strong pedagogical know-how, content knowledge and considerable industry networks, they bring three Rs to our adult learning ecosystem - Rigour in content creation and delivery, Relevance to industry needs, and Responsiveness to changes in the economic landscape. SSG will partner our IHLs to raise the water level for the entire CET sector."
Empowering workers for the future: Insights, skills and learning opportunities
At a panel discussion held in conjunction with the event, Professor Bernard Yeung, Emeritus Professor from the Department of Finance and Department of Strategy and Policy at NUS Business School, and Professor Danny Quah, Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, shared valuable insights on the changing world order, and the threats and opportunities that companies and the workforce should prepare for.
Additionally, the event featured 15 future-oriented workshops across a wide range of topics including the use of AI agents; using AI in areas like design, storytelling, and leadership; digital security; technopreneurship; and how we can drive sustainable change in our environment. Participating IHLs, LLSG and SSG also set up booths to share more information about their CET programmes and initiatives, as well as the Jobs-Skills Portal.
