Festo Singapore and Technical University of Munich Asia (TUM Asia) penned down their commitment to set-up a Competence Centre for Digitalisation, Technologies and Innovation (CDTI) with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), at the Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific (ITAP) trade show on 22 October 2019.
The signing between Dr. Markus Wächter, Managing Director, TUM Asia, and Mr. Volker Schmid, Head of Asia Pacific, Festo Didactic SE was witnessed by Mr. Lim Kok Kiang, Assistant Managing Director, EDB.
The set-up of the CDTI follows the successful training of over 60 working professionals across various industries in the first jointly developed Specialist Diploma in Advanced Digital Manufacturing in 2018, which had the support of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). It is envisaged that CDTI will accelerate the transfer of industry best-practices to the manufacturing industry in Singapore through its continuing education and training and professional service offerings.
“Maintaining a strong pipeline of future-ready talent is crucial in order for Singapore to harness the full potential of Industry 4.0. This collaboration between TUM Asia and Festo Singapore will help to raise the capabilities of our workforce, and contribute towards the training of skilled talent to address new needs in the industry,” said Mr. Lim.
“Festo is more than excited to announce this next step regarding our ongoing professional relationship with TUM Asia by means of offering joint courses within the context of future of manufacturing. The CDTI will adopt a broader approach to include digitalisation, new technologies, consulting as well as energy saving and environmental topics which are in high demand in Singapore and the region. We are convinced that our complete professional service offering will be able to meet the market needs and requirements,” said Mr. Volker Schmid.
Concurrently, CDTI will launch its flagship programme – LEARN. This programme adopts a 3stage model of change to help companies engineer and implement their smart factory transformation blueprint based on the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) and companies’ target functions. It aims to help participating companies progress from a state of awareness, to appreciation and eventual adoption of a holistic transformation strategy that addresses the three building blocks of SIRI (Process, Technology and Organisation). The Centre will also function as a test-bed environment for participating companies to conduct collaborative sprint-based pilots. LEARN is endorsed by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and supported by knowledge partners such as TÜV SÜD Asia Pacific – COE Digital Service and Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation in Stuttgart, Germany.
“The TUM Asia – Festo Singapore collaboration is a unique academic – industry partnership which combines academic excellence and industrial know-how. TUM Asia is delighted to partner Festo Singapore to design rigorous and up-to-date training curriculum, provide consultations and develop solutions to meet industry needs. I believe that CDTI will help catalyse the digital transformation of the Singapore industry,” said Dr. Markus Wächter.
CDTI will commence operations in January 2020 within Festo Singapore’s existing premises at Kian Teck Way. It will be relocated to Singapore’s western manufacturing belt at the Jurong Innovation District in 2021. The 700 sqm Centre will house an equipment laboratory, office space and classroom facilities.
To find out more information about the Competence Centre for Digitalisation, Technologies and Innovation (CDTI), please email info@cdti.com.sg or visit www.cdti.com.sg.
