Coventry University and PSB Academy: Tackling the challenges of tomorrow together

To mark the 10-year anniversary of Coventry University Group’s collaboration with PSB Academy in Singapore, Professor Richard Wells discusses the region’s strategic importance and identifies the challenges and shared priorities of the two organisations.

In 2023 the UK Government announced a new strategic partnership with Singapore, pledging closer economic ties, strengthened security co-operation, science and technology innovation and greater collaboration in research and development. It is also a partnership with one eye firmly fixed on the future, addressing the challenges and priorities of our two countries - including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the digital economy.

So far this year the UK and Singapore have held the 9th UK-Singapore Financial Dialogue, focused on sustainable finance and FinTech, and jointly launched a collaborative research and development competition aimed at supporting advanced manufacturing, health science and cybersecurity. These are not only powerful initiatives with a clear aim, they also represent the strong and multifaceted partnership between our two countries.

Coventry University Group has long seen Singapore as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. The country shares our Group’s commitment to education, research and innovation, and we are now marking the 10-year anniversary of our relationship with Singapore-based PSB Academy – a relationship that has opened the door to a wide network of collaborations in the region.

Education is key

Together we are passionate about delivering solutions to the challenges facing our two countries, from artificial intelligence to sustainable development and the advancing green technologies. We are also determined to ensure economic resilience by working together to bolster economic ties, create jobs and foster growth by leveraging our two countries’ respective expertise.

This starts with education. Our diverse courses span various disciplines, including business, marketing, engineering and cybersecurity - all designed to help our students meet the ever-evolving needs of the global job market. Through our decade of working together, we have been committed to producing future-ready graduates equipped with the skills and tools required to thrive in a digitally driven economy.

As online and technological threats grow, we are preparing our students to tackle cybersecurity issues through a combination of practical projects and advanced teaching methods using specialised software and tools. We are also helping to build a generation of professionals capable of addressing and mitigating environmental threats through a curriculum that incorporates sustainable principles as well as their practical application. Having studied for a UK degree at a Singaporean institution, our graduates leave us as global citizens with the ability to bridge cultures and drive innovation to meet the technological and environmental challenges of tomorrow.

Opportunities in healthcare

Our relationship with PSB has also played a vital role in our ability to expand our impact across Singapore. The first of our Global Hubs was launched in the country back in 2017 and has gone on to become a vital part of the Group’s regional operations. In recent years we have also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Home Team Academy and James Cook University as we explore areas in which to share our expertise and knowledge. We continue to forge new collaborations in healthcare, remaining in meaningful dialogue with Singaporean stakeholders as we look to identify opportunities in this sector.

By combining the expertise of Coventry University and PSB Academy over the past 10 years, we have demonstrated a lasting commitment to providing education that is both academically excellent and highly relevant to the needs of students and wider society. It is a collaboration built on combining the best of Singapore and UK education to benefit not only the institutions themselves but also the students, their local communities and the industries they serve.

It also demonstrates our vision for the future. Our work with PSB Academy has shown us how vital international relationships are in tackling global societal challenges and we will use this experience to help identify new avenues for collaboration and innovation with others across the globe.