National Engineers Day 2020: IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2020 and new partnerships in artificial intelligence

Singapore, 25 November 2020 – The first hybrid National Engineers Day (NED) 2020 event concluded on 21 November 2020 at the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) Building with the Engineering Innovation Challenge (EIC) 2020 Prize Announcement Ceremony.

The digital-physical hybrid NED event, held from 12 to 21 November, offered students across Singapore insights into the latest advancements and career opportunities in engineering through a series of online talks, workshops, site visits, along with a virtual booth exhibition and interactive contests.

At the event, Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, witnessed the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in Singapore’s engineering cluster:

• MoU between AI Singapore (AISG) and IES to drive cluster-wide adoption of AI solutions by its member companies in the engineering sector in Singapore
• MoU between AISG and SMRT Corporation: As part of the above-mentioned MoU, SMRT will be the first organisation in Singapore to collaborate with AISG on multiple AI projects under the AI Engineering Hub (AIEH) programme
• MoU between AI Professionals Association (AIP) and IES to develop and promote joint learning and development programmes for engineering communities in Singapore

“AI is a frontier technology of the digital age, holding immense potential for improving lives, increasing productivity and opening up new growth opportunities. Through these MoUs, IES hopes to put in place a ‘green lane’ for local companies to tap on AISG’s AI innovation programmes and engineering expertise, and fast track the co-creation of innovative AI solutions in Singapore,” said Dr Richard Kwok, President of IES.

Also at the event, IES announced the 15 winning projects of the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2020, recognising the outstanding contributions of local engineers to advancing engineering and enhancing quality of life of Singaporeans. This year, IES received a record number of 50 submissions, an indication of the expanse of engineering innovations being developed in Singapore.

This year’s winning projects have demonstrated excellence in impacting lives, society and economy, from setting up of a healthcare facility to handle infectious outbreak and shepherding wildlife for animal well-being, to enhancing productivity and sustainability in construction and new waste recycling as well as food waste co-digestion approaches.

– Construction+ Online