Singapore, 18 March 2026 – ICDL Asia, Siemens and Singapore Polytechnic announced the launch of the Design & STEM Innovator (DSI) Programme, a new initiative aimed at equipping students with practical STEM, engineering, and digital skills for future technology-driven careers.
The launch event was held at the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore, marking an important milestone in strengthening international collaboration in digital skills development and STEM education across the region. The event was witnessed by esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. Frank Feighan, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Her Excellency Sarah McGrath, Irish Ambassador to Singapore, and Mr. Patrick O’Riordan, Head of ASEAN at Enterprise Ireland.
The event was attended by Mr. Damien O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of ICDL Foundation, Dr Thai-Lai Pham, CEO of Siemens ASEAN, and Mr. Loh Yew Chiong, Deputy Principal (Academic) of Singapore Polytechnic, alongside Ms. Tina Wu, Chief Executive of ICDL Asia, Ms. Sharon Teo Siew Choo, Head of Communications, ASEAN, Mr. Alvin Tan, Director of Business Development for Asia Pacific, Mainstream Engineering, Siemens Digital Industries Software, Mr. Rick Chua, Senior Lecturer from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic, and other representatives from the Irish Embassy, Enterprise Ireland, and ICDL Asia.
Designed for students pursuing future pathways in technology-driven and engineering sectors, the programme is developed by ICDL Asia in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software and Singapore Polytechnic to equip learners with practical STEM and digital skills through real-world, project-based learning, preparing secondary and high school students to become future-ready for the workforce.
“Equipping students with strong digital and STEM competencies is essential for the future. By bringing together industry expertise and education, we can inspire the next generation to innovate, design, and solve real-world challenges.” said Mr. Damien O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of ICDL Foundation.
Using industry-standard software and tools provided by Siemens, students engage in a flexible, project-based learning framework that allows them to apply STEM and digital skills in real-world scenarios. Those who meet the certification requirements at each level will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, jointly issued by ICDL Asia, Siemens and Singapore Polytechnic. To support wider adoption in the region, the three partners will also provide Train-the-Trainer programmes for schools and academic institutions across Asia, enabling more students’ opportunity to access the internationally standardised STEM learning.
“Siemens invests significantly in STEM education because we believe that is key to transforming the backbone of societies. It helps to raise the standard of future workforce, and foster a pipeline of talent that will drive technological advancements, address complex challenges, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” said Dr Thai-Lai Pham, CEO of Siemens ASEAN.
“Cultivating a deep interest in STEM is the cornerstone of preparing our youth for an increasingly complex world. This synergy between education and industry creates a vital platform for students to realize their potential as future problem-solvers,” said Mr Loh Yew Chiong, Deputy Principal (Academic), Singapore Polytechnic.
The programme also integrates a social and community engagement component. Siemens will sponsor 80 underprivileged students in Singapore, starting from 2026, to ensure access to these future-ready skills for a wider range of learners.
In conclusion, the Design & STEM Innovator (DSI) Programme aims to bridge the gap between education and industry, preparing students across Asia for a future driven industry by technology and innovation. Through our project-based STEM curriculum that exposes learners to industry-standard tools, the programme aims to provide hands-on experience, sparks curiosity, and develops critical skills among learners.
About SIEMENS
Siemens AG is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI – including generative AI – to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries.
Siemens Digital Industries Software, part of Siemens AG, is a leading provider of software for product lifecycle management (PLM), computer-aided design (CAD), manufacturing (CAM), and simulation.
About Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic (SP), a leading educational institution founded in 1954, is renowned for its innovative approach to lifelong learning. With a staff strength of 1,400, SP is committed to serving with mastery. The polytechnic focuses strongly on industry relevance and technological advancements; SP’s 10 schools offer 30 full-time diploma courses and four common entry programmes to over 12,500 students. The institution champions innovation in lifelong learning, pedagogy, digitalisation, sustainability, and industry engagement, equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the future economy.
Beyond education, SP is a catalyst for business innovation. The institution’s 12 consultancy and technology innovation centres offer comprehensive solutions for businesses’ unique needs. At the same time, the SP Company and Workforce Transformation (SP CWT) framework guides enterprises in navigating the digital age and achieving sustainable growth. From technological advancements to workforce development, SP is dedicated to helping organisations overcome challenges and succeed.
About ICDL Asia
ICDL Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based out of Ireland, is the global social enterprise dedicated to enable proficient use of digital skills for individuals, organisation, and the society. The mission is achieved via the ICDL certification programme, also known as International Certificate of Digital Literacy, widely adopted by government, corporate, academic institutions worldwide. Established in 1997, ICDL Foundation has established a network of more than 20,000 Accredited Test Centres in over 100 countries. More than 17 million candidates benefited from the certification programme.
ICDL Asia, based in Singapore, manages the advocacy, government endorsement, delivery and quality assurance of ICDL programmes in all the Asia Pacific markets including all the Southeast Asia markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines etc. ICDL has been widely adopted in those countries from government agencies, industry associations, universities and private sector.