SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT EDUCATORS' CONFERENCE 2024 ON SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP

 

DR. TIMOTHY CHAN, MS. CELIA HER & MS. TRICHA VATSA in conversation with Ms. BHAVNA PANDEY, DIRECTOR, DCEB CAMPUS

Dr. Timothy Chan, Vice Provost of Academic Services at Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), is a distinguished leader in the field of higher education with over 35 years of diverse experience. His career encompasses significant achievements in IT, Accounting and academia. Under Dr. Chan’s leadership, SIM GE has reached new heights in academic innovation and excellence. 

Dr. Chan, Could you share what inspired the focus of your recent workshop, and why you believe systems leadership is crucial in today’s educational landscape?
The workshop focuses on systems leadership due to the increasing complexity of our modern education ecosystem. This approach is particularly beneficial for addressing the needs of diverse student populations and ensuring their success. The focus aligns with the principles of organizational learning. By adopting a systems perspective, education institutions can foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration, ensuring their long-term success.
In your experience, what are some of the most common challenges that educators face when trying to implement systems thinking, and how can they overcome these challenges?

Implementing systems thinking can be challenging due to resistance to change, data limitations, pattern recognition difficulties, time constraints, and cultural barriers. Overcoming these challenges requires a systemic approach, stakeholder involvement, data collection, and cultural sensitivity.  Besides, developing and sharing a clear vision for the institution among all stakeholders can help align efforts, build consensus, and drive progress. 
Given your extensive experience and accomplishments in both academia and industry, how do you see the role of higher education institutions evolving in the next decade?

In the next decade, higher education institutions must evolve to become more agile, innovative, and responsive to the changing needs of students and society. They should focus on developing students with knowledge and skills relevant to the future of work, a culture of lifelong learning, and leveraging technology to enhance the educational experience.  Additionally, education institutions should prioritize initiatives that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality.

Ms. Tricha Vatsa, Country Manager, India for Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), Handles the International recruitment and outreach efforts  fostering meaningful collaborations with Higher Education Institutes. Can you share if there are any collaborative engagements SIM is exploring with Indian Higher Education Institutes. Singapore Institute of Management is one of the pioneers in delivering Education through the TNE model ( Transnational Education). It is now very much in alignment with NEP 2020 vision, hence we are  exploring opportunities to collaborate with like-minded Institutions in India for an academic credit transfer arrangement leading to a dual degree programme at undergraduate level. We are also looking for School partners in India who can deliver SIM Diploma programmes, 12-15 months in a blended model at their Campus as a recognised Overseas Teaching Centre of SIM thereby creating the pathway to year 2 of a recognised UG degree  awarded by our University Partners at SIM Singapore. The desire for global exposure, high quality Education and enhanced Career prospects at an affordable cost  are strong motivating factors for our students to consider pursuing  these prestigious degrees at SIM under the TNE partnerships.

Ms CELIA HER, Director of Student Recruitment at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).  Overseas Marketing, International collaboration and Market Engagement initiatives for SIM Global Education  Can you discuss any upcoming projects or initiatives at SIM GE that aim to further advance academic innovation and excellence?
SIM has adopted a data driven approach and developed our signature pedagogy, EE-GAR (Explore, Experiment, Guide, Apply and Reflect).  We have gathered information from a multitude of data points and keen observations to gain comprehensive insights into the learning needs of our students today.  They include sieving through qualitative student feedback and observing current teaching approaches and proven pedagogical practices.   Based on our interactions and observations, we have identified five best teaching practices that SIM GE lecturers to adopt, including empowering learners to take ownership of learning; change behaviour Lecturers to facilitate and guide students instead of teaching; engaging students in learning and applying what they have learned in real-world scenarios; supporting diversity and depth of knowledge through learning from one and another and cultivating a reflective practice to build confidence. In enhancing our students’ experience in pursuing academic excellence, we also want to highlight a tool we are particularly proud of the SIM CareerSense app.  In today’s rapidly evolving job market, we understand that students need more than just academic qualifications; they need career guidance, skills development, and opportunities for continuous learning. Through CareerSense, we have integrated the power of AI to offer personalized career planning, skill-building tools, and job recommendations tailored to individual students.  The AI-driven platform empowers students to assess their strengths, understand market trends, and confidently map out their future careers. Whether preparing for their first job or looking to transition into new roles, CareerSense is a reliable companion, providing personalized guidance and support throughout their career journey.  We also support skill and knowledge development through our Centre of Micro-credentials, offering modules that will enhance the students’ skills and knowledge and taking up modules that help them excel in excelling at their profile.

Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)

SIM Global Education (SIM) is a leading private education institution in Singapore dedicated to preparing individuals and organizations for the future. Established by the Singapore Economic Development Board in 1964, SIM has a rich legacy spanning 60 years. Recognised across the Asia Pacific region, SIM empowers individuals and enterprises to be future-ready and thrive at every stage of life. Through skills-based learning experiences, SIM harnesses new knowledge, skills, and technology, enabling students, professionals, and organizations to Learn for Life and Thrive for Life. In its pursuit of excellence, SIM’s Global Education arm connects learners with some of the world’s top higher education programmes in collaboration with esteemed institutions from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Notable partners include University at Buffalo (SUNY), University of London (with academic direction from LSE, Goldsmiths, and UCL), University of Birmingham, University of Stirling, RMIT University, La Trobe University, and University of Wollongong. SIM offers over 120 academic programs, including diplomas, graduate diplomas, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs. Its diverse student body includes 16,000 full-time and part-time learners, with approximately 30% being international students from over 50 countries. SIM GE’s holistic learning approach fosters not only academic excellence but also equips students with industry-relevant skills, global perspectives, and the competencies necessary to thrive in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.
For more information, visit https://www.sim.edu.sg.

Glimpses of conference at ITC Hotel, Dwarka