Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will soon be able to leverage the expertise of local polytechnics to enhance their capabilities in robotics, automation, and emerging food trends. This development follows the announcement by Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong during the SME Tech Day 2023 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) will establish a new Centre of Innovation (COI) focused on robotics and automation solutions for the built environment. Additionally, an existing COI for food manufacturing will be expanded to support businesses in areas such as alternative proteins and sustainability. These initiatives aim to provide SMEs with access to specialized equipment, laboratories, and training, as well as offering consultancy, validation studies, and co-development support.
Minister Gan acknowledged the challenges faced by SMEs in developing their own research and development (R&D) and innovation capabilities. The new robotics and automation COI will be a collaboration between Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP). This initiative will assist SMEs in adopting robotics and automation solutions in urban settings, contributing to the transformation of the built environment.
The expanded food manufacturing COI will focus on helping SMEs explore new opportunities in alternative proteins and sustainable food production. The center will also offer resources to aid businesses in adopting eco-friendly practices. The collaboration involves several polytechnics, including Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Nanyang Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, and TP. It is expected that over the next two years, the centers will work with more than 800 enterprises and engage in over 100 innovation projects.
Additionally, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with NP and SP to ensure that Singapore’s talent pool continues to meet the evolving needs of the business environment. The MOUs will facilitate the development of operation and technology roadmaps for local enterprises as part of the Growing Enterprises Through Technology Upgrade (GET-Up) program. This program helps SMEs integrate technology to foster long-term growth.
A*Star’s efforts also include the expansion of its Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) program, which will now allow SMEs to access artificial intelligence (AI) expertise through the secondment of AI Singapore’s experts. Both the GET-Up and T-Up programs have supported thousands of local enterprises over the past 20 years, helping them develop better products, improve business processes, and scale their operations.
Through these initiatives, the Singapore government continues to support the innovation and growth of SMEs, ensuring they are well-equipped to compete in the evolving global market.
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