Republic Polytechnic accelerates AI transformation to develop future-ready learners and an AI-adept workforce

• Industry partnerships and staff development to drive RP’s AI-ready workforce
• Reshapes teaching and learning to equip learners with industry-relevant AI skills

Republic Polytechnic (RP) has unveiled a comprehensive AI transformation strategy to strengthen its teaching and learning ecosystem, deepen staff capabilities, and expand industry partnerships in response to Singapore’s growing demand for AI-skilled talent. In a statement, the polytechnic said the initiative will enable learners, staff and industry partners to benefit from practical, responsible and impactful applications of AI, reinforcing its role in developing Singapore’s future AI-ready workforce.

Building future-ready learners through an AI-enhanced teaching and learning ecosystem

Through curriculum redesign, staff upskilling, and applied learning technologies, RP said it is reshaping its teaching and learning ecosystem to ensure every learner graduates with industry-relevant AI skills. It noted that AI competencies have been progressively embedded across all diploma programmes, and by Academic Year 2027, at least half of each diploma’s discipline-specific modules will incorporate applied AI skills. This approach gives learners hands-on experience with the same AI tools, applications, and practices used in today’s workplaces.

RP added that this approach will also extend to its Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes, where AI competencies will be infused into specialist and part-time diplomas to help adult learners keep pace with emerging workplace technologies. CET learners will be trained to use industry-specific AI tools for productivity, analysis and decision-making, with selected programmes offering opportunities to develop or deploy sector-relevant AI applications—ensuring practical, job-ready capabilities that support career progression and industry transformation.

“Our goal is to create an environment where every learner is empowered to succeed in the AI era. By integrating AI into the classroom, strengthening workforce capabilities and working closely with industry partners, we equip learners with the confidence, judgement and skills to navigate new technologies in a fast-changing world,” Jeanne Liew, principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic, said.

As part of this ecosystem, academic staff are also integrating AI into curriculum design, development and delivery, while working closely with industry partners to identify emerging tools and practices relevant to their fields. AI-enabled tools support lesson planning, assessments and learning activities, streamlining routine tasks and allowing staff to focus on higher-value work such as mentoring learners and facilitating deeper discussions.

In addition, assessment practices have been redesigned to reflect this shift, with learners evaluated not only on final outputs but also on their thinking processes, use of AI tools and ability to work effectively alongside them. Reinforced through RP’s problem-based learning approach, AI is positioned as a collaborator and cognitive partner, strengthening learners’ critical thinking, ethical reasoning and creativity. Learners are trained to assess the accuracy, bias and relevance of AI-generated outputs, ensuring AI use deepens—rather than replaces—independent thinking.

Strengthening industry partnerships for education, innovation and workforce development

Alongside its collaboration with Nvidia, RP has signed memoranda of understanding with AI Singapore, Autodesk, Microsoft and ST Engineering to advance AI education and workforce capabilities. The polytechnic said these partnerships provide RP with access to frontier technologies such as generative and agentic AI, edge computing, cybersecurity automation and AI-enabled design tools, bringing industry-grade capabilities directly into classrooms and laboratories.

Through structured training programmes, specialised platforms and co-development of AI solutions, learners gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, applied research opportunities and AI-enabled personalised learning. At the same time, industry partners benefit from a pipeline of well-trained graduates and jointly developed AI innovations.

Developing an AI-ready workforce at RP

Beyond the classroom, RP said it is preparing its workforce to harness AI to boost productivity and service delivery, adding that all 1,200 of its staff will undergo AI capability development, from role-relevant proficiency to advanced certifications.

To date, more than half the workforce has already attained baseline AI capability, with all staff on track to reach this level by the end of 2026—strengthening RP’s overall AI readiness across academic and operational functions.