In a landmark collaboration that underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd, a global leader in engineering, infrastructure, and project management consulting, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).
This partnership aims to spearhead advancements in smart and sustainable facilities management, reflecting both organisations' dedication to nurturing future-ready talents, and creating resilient and sustainable urban solutions.
The MOU marks a significant stride towards integrating real-world engineering challenges and digital solutions into the academic curriculum and research, promising to unlock new opportunities for students, faculty, and the broader industry ecosystem. Under the framework of the MOU, both parties will engage in discussions in relation to sustainable and resilient buildings; carbon footprint reduction; infrastructure and environment; climate change and asset management with resilient systems, digital twin and other built environment technologies.
“At Meinhardt Group, we envision a world where infrastructure and urban developments not only embody innovation but also tread lightly on our planet. This partnership with Ngee Ann Polytechnic represents a pivotal step in that direction, offering a unique confluence of academic rigour and industry expertise to empower the next generation of green leaders in the built environment sector. By aligning our efforts, we are setting new benchmarks for what is achievable in the realm of smart and sustainable facilities management,” said Mr Omar Shahzad, Group CEO of Meinhardt Group.
The collaboration will unfold across various initiatives including joint research and consultancy projects; the co-creation, development and showcase of systems, platform and solutions at NP; the formation of tripartite partnerships with other educational and research institutions, and the development of specialised training, attachment and internship programmes for NP students and faculty alike. These span the gamut from online and face-to-face seminars, webinars and workshops to specialist training courses, careers transition programmes, short courses and part-time diploma.
Dr Eugene Seah, then Chief Operating Officer of Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in driving forward the group’s mission to deliver sustainable and buildable solutions.
“This MOU represents Meinhardt’s commitment to nurturing talents who are not just adept at navigating today’s challenges but can also envisage and engineer the sustainable solutions of tomorrow. Together with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, we are eager to co-create a future where innovation leads the way to environmental stewardship and societal well-being. This endeavour not only aims to enrich the learning experience but also to equip participants with the practical skills and knowledge essential for addressing the environmental and technological challenges of the future, expanding the boundaries of classrooms into the working world, making each space a living and learning lab,” said Dr Seah.
In conjunction with the MOU, NP has unveiled the SEED (Sustainability Education & Ecosystem Development) initiative, aiming to cultivate sustainability-intelligent graduates poised to contribute to the green economy. By embedding sustainability across its curriculum and fostering industry partnerships, NP sets a precedent for educational institutions striving towards environmental excellence.
“We are invested in forging strategic alliances to innovate sustainable solutions. The synergy between Meinhardt Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnic through this MOU provides a robust platform for pioneering sustainable practices and technologies in the built environment sector. It reflects our shared aspiration to play an instrumental role in Singapore’s transition towards a greener future,” said Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
As part of the SEED initiative, NP will focus on developing sustainability-focused curricula, greening its campus, and forging strategic industry partnerships, including with Meinhardt Group, to drive innovation and talent development in sustainability.
This collaboration is set to have a tangible impact on how educational institutions and industry leaders can work together to address the urgent need for sustainable development and management of urban infrastructures. By leveraging Meinhardt’s extensive experience in delivering large-scale and complex projects worldwide, and NP’s innovative educational approaches, this partnership is poised to make significant contributions to the field of smart and sustainable facilities management.
