THEORETICAL knowledge is important.

But the working world requires an effective application of the information gained in school.

That was why Singapore's oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning, the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), made it a point to emphasise practical aspects of its information technology (IT) and computing degree programmes.

They are also taught by professionals, who are equally well-versed in the theoretical aspects of their chosen expertise.

These factors were crucial when recent graduates Aaron Neo and Ng Ek Ngee were deliberating on their choice of programmes about two years ago.

Said Mr Ng, 25, who took the part-time Bachelor of Information Technology programme offered by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia: "The subjects were taught by working professionals, so not only did we get to learn from notes and lecture slides, but we also absorbed real-world experiences that were related to the teaching content."

The ECU Bachelor of Information Technology is also the first and only IT degree here with double majors in Computer Security, and Network Administration and Design.

Additionally, students will be awarded the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer 2003 industrial certification, which is recognised globally.

Mr Ng, who is now a design engineer with a multi-national corporation, told my paper that he had an interest in computers since he was quite young and "MDIS helped me further that interest to a professional level".

He said: "Modules like Project Management, Knowledge Management and Java Programming are examples of knowledge that I'm using on the job now.

"For instance, skills learnt in the Project Management module help me to organise and manage projects assigned to me.

Skills picked up in Knowledge Management help me identify and retain know-how and practices that can be shared with my colleagues."

Mr Neo, who is in charge of marketing anti-virus software in a homegrown IT services company, has similar feedback.

The 26-year-old graduated in late 2006 with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Computing, awarded by MDIS' partner, the University of Bradford (UOB) in the United Kingdom.

He told my paper: "I like computers, but I also wanted to branch out into business and marketing.

"The UOB programme equipped me with the marketing skills which I needed to make the transition from being knowledgeable in pure IT to being able to market IT."

To this end, he took modules like Economics, Financial Management and Marketing.

Mr Neo added that he also benefited from hands-on and practical project work.

Students taking programmes offered by MDIS also benefit from a structured learning environment. SaidMs Sally Chua, the director of MDIS' School of Technology and E-Learning: "As with any accreditation from professional bodies or the universities, your skill sets are mapped with the industry standards, the competencies needed and the levels in which you are to perform for various key infocomm occupations."

Overall, the future looks bright for these MDIS IT graduates.

Ms Chua said: "I believe that the need for niche infocomm manpower is there for the next few years."

estheray@sph.com.sg

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