Trinity and Singapore Institute of Technology to Deliver Joint Degree in Physiotherapy

Posted on: 27 January 2016

Trinity College Dublin and Singapore Institute of Technology will deliver a joint degree in Physiotherapy starting in the 2016/17 academic year.

The President of Singapore Institute of Technology, Professor Thiam Soon Tan and senior management team, Professors Han Tong Loh, Seng Kiong Ting, and Mr Wing Leong, visited Trinity on 21st January to sign the agreement with the Provost of Trinity, Dr Patrick Prendergast. This collaboration builds on the existing strong five year relationship between SIT and Trinity which commenced with the one year programmes with recognition for prior learning in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiation Therapy and Diagnostic Radiography. To date there are over 300 graduates from these programmes.  In October last year the Irish Ambassador to Singapore, Geoffrey Keating opened the offices that SIT have provided to Trinity for the one year programmes.

The joint degree in Physiotherapy has been developed over the last two years and will involve Trinity contributing 25% of the overall teaching. This new programme extends the relationship for a further eight years and the plan over the coming year is to extend the relationship into the post graduate level. The health challenges of ageing and chronic disease are ones that both Ireland and Singapore face and ones in which Trinity has considerable research experience and strength. The partnership provides an excellent opportunity to lead on research investigating novel approaches to patient care in these areas.

Welcoming the announcement, Trinity’s Vice President for Global Relations, Professor Juliette Hussey said:  “The multidimensional partnership with SIT builds Trinity’s global presence and has assisted in building our reputation and recognition in south east Asia. I am delighted to see the development of the joint programme in Physiotherapy and hope it will be the first of a number of joint programmes with universities overseas”.

At the signing of the agreement for the joint degree in Physiotherapy were, from left, back row, Prof Aideen Long, Dean of Graduate Studies, Trinity, Prof Seng Kiong Ting, Deputy President (Academic) and Provost, SIT, Mr Wing Leong, CFO, SIT, Prof Han Tong Loh, Provost, SIT, Prof Juliette Hussey, Vice President for Global Relations, Trinity, Mr Ian Mathews, CFO, Trinity, Dr John Gormley, TCD-SIT A