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SMU revamps its Industry Practice Master programme and offers 14 new Industry Graduate Diplomas

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A major move to provide more flexible, modular and stackable industry-aligned certification pathways in support of Singapore’s focus on skills-based lifelong learning

SINGAPORE, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Management University (SMU) today announced key enhancements to its Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy (IPMDE) programme offered at SMU Academy, the University’s professional training arm. First launched in January 2024, the master’s programme currently has over 130 learners enrolled.

As part of its continuous enhancement, a structural revamp is set to roll out in August 2025, introducing Industry Graduate Diplomas (IGDs) to provide professionals with a more modular, flexible, and industry-aligned learning pathways. This aligns with Singapore’s national focus on lifelong learning, offering an accessible, customisable, and skills-based approach to career advancement and workforce transformation. Learners who are currently enrolled in the IPMDE will not be affected, however, those who wish to transition to the revamped structure will have the opportunity to do so, subject to the completion of the newly introduced modules.

The revamped IPMDE further strengthens its blend of academic excellence and practical, industry-relevant applications. The expanded modular format is expected to enhance learners’ access to in-demand skills while providing the flexibility to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital economy. Participants will first earn an IGD upon completing a curated set of modules. Those who choose to stack their learning further can work towards the IPMDE certification. This allows them to progressively build expertise while balancing their professional commitments.

“The IPMDE has been well-received since its launch in January 2024 and we have observed a healthy demand,” said Professor Gary Pan, SMU’s Academic Director (Lifelong Learning). “The revamped IPMDE continues to focus on the needs of mid-career professionals, industry practitioners, and aspiring leaders who are seeking to deepen their expertise, enhance career prospects, or transition into new roles. With the introduction of Industry Graduate Diplomas, learners will have a more accessible and customisable pathway to upskilling. Whether they pursue a standalone industry graduate diploma or stack it towards a master’s certification, they will gain industry-relevant knowledge that immediately enhances their careers.”

Jack Lim, Executive Director, SMU Academy, said, “SMU Academy’s dedication to bridging the gap between evolving industry needs and cutting-edge expertise reinforces its role as a cornerstone in preparing a future-ready workforce and advancing sustainable national development. Through our extensive range of programmes, deep industry partnerships, and focus on lifelong learning, we continue to play a significant role in shaping Singapore’s professional landscape.”

As one of the largest Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore, and provider of Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses, SMU Academy offers over 1,500 industry-relevant programmes, demonstrating its strong commitment to lifelong learning and workforce development. Its extensive industry collaborations and emphasis on equipping professionals with in-demand skills further reinforce its significance in the sector.

Key updates and enhancements in the revamped IPMDE

The updated curriculum continues to adopt a modular, learner-centric approach that balances foundational knowledge with specialised expertise, enhanced with expanded options for greater flexibility. It includes:

Graduate Diploma with Expanded Modules
The programme will include 14 Industry Graduate Diplomas (full list in Annex) which replaces the previous 10-track core modules, offering greater depth and flexibility. The IGDs serve as stackable qualifications, allowing professionals to earn recognised graduate diplomas before committing to the full master’s programme.Modular and Customised Learning
Learners enjoy a flexible and learner-centric approach with:
7 Programme Core Modules: Focused on critical frameworks and foundational concepts.8 Programme Electives: Select 8 out of 16 electives tailored to career aspirations and personal interests.SMU-XL Project
A practical, experiential project emphasising innovation and real-world problem-solving. Learners will either work on a project for their employer or be involved in a consultancy project which focuses on problem-solving, digital solutions and streamlining business processes through active mentoring from organisations.Personalised Learning Pathways
Learners can tailor their learning experience through two flexible options: (i) ‘Design Your Own Course’ which allows for a customised learning pathway, or (ii) pursue industry-recognised credentials that develop industry-specific technical skills and competencies while addressing their unique interests and career goals.Recognition of Prior Learning
To enhance accessibility, the revamped IPMDE will recognise relevant diplomas and CET certificates from Polytechnics and Autonomous Universities, marking a significant first for an IHL in Singapore. Additionally, the programme will recognise the prior learning of individuals who have previously attended CET courses by SMU Academy, allowing learners to leverage prior learning and fast-track their progression.

Benefits of the Revamped IPMDE

Industry-Relevant Curriculum
A modular structure, coupled with the hands-on SMU-XL Capstone Project, ensures participants are prepared to meet emerging industry demands.

Flexibility for Working Professionals
The modular format and personalised pathways enable learners to balance their studies with work commitments.

Enhanced Credentials
Graduates will receive a Graduate Diploma (serving as a stackable qualification) progressively, as well as a master’s degree certificate issued by SMU upon successful completion, thereby bolstering their professional credentials and career opportunities.

Pathway to Specialisation and Innovation 
The programme blends broad industry knowledge with niche expertise, preparing participants for agile and future-focused roles.

Real-World Application and Impact 
The SMU-XL Project equips graduates with tangible experience in addressing complex, real-world challenges.

Career Development Coaches
Dedicated career development coaches provide personalised guidance to help participants navigate their professional journey effectively.

The new IGDs and the revamped IPMDE are now open for registration and will take effect from August 2025. Designed to equip professionals with in-demand skills, the programme aligns with the Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2025 and offers industry-relevant training in sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, marketing, social media management, and logistics.

Its skills-based modules are mapped to the Technical Skills Competencies ensuring strong alignment with workforce needs. The recommended duration of the IPMDE is three years, with an extended completion period of up to four years.

Admission is open to individuals with a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of working experience or a Diploma from a local Polytechnic with at least 10 years of relevant working experience, applicable to both the IGD and IPMDE pathways.

The IPMDE is one of the most highly subsidised master’s programmes in Singapore, with up to 90% funding by SkillsFuture Singapore, including subsidies for mid-career professionals. Singapore Citizens can offset costs using SkillsFuture Credits, Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) balances, and the $4,000 Mid-Career Support SkillsFuture Credit top-up for all skills-based modules. With these subsidies, the approximate total programme fee is $19,000.

– End –

Enclosures:

•  For more information, please visit https://academy.smu.edu.sg/courses/industry-practice-master-ipm-digital-economy.
•  Annex – List of Industry Graduate Diplomas

About Singapore Management University and SMU Academy 

Established in 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) is recognised for its disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that address issues of global relevance, impacting business, government, and society. Its distinctive education, incorporating innovative experiential learning, aims to nurture global citizens, entrepreneurs and change agents. Home to over 13,000 students, SMU offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas of Accountancy, Business, Economics, Computing, Law and Social Sciences, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas. It also offers a growing number of executive development and continuing education programmes. 

As the professional training arm of the University, SMU Academy (SMUA) offers cutting-edge interdisciplinary programmes that support lifelong learning and help organisations meet reskilling goals to thrive in an ever-changing economy. SMUA integrates a practice-oriented, experiential, and interactive approach, integrating academic depth, real-world business cases, and interdisciplinary learning.  Through its city campus, SMU focuses on making meaningful impact on Singapore and beyond by fostering strategic linkages with business, government and the wider community. More information can be found at www.smu.edu.sg and http://academy.smu.edu.sg

Annex: List of Industry Graduate Diplomas

Brand New Industry Graduate Diplomas

Digital Economy & Innovation

1.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics for Data-Driven Decision Making with Python Programming

2.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Python Programming and Machine Learning

3.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Python Programming and Applied Data Analytics

4.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Web and Mobile Application Development

Data Governance & Compliance

5.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Data Governance and Management

6.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Data Protection

Supply Chain & Operations

7.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Digital Supply Chain and Intelligence

8.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Transformation

9.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Procurement

10.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Strategic Procurement

Leadership & Management

11.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Applied HR

12.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Coaching

13.

Industry Graduate Diploma in Digital Health

Customer Experience

14.

(Launching Soon)
Stay tuned for an upcoming Industry Graduate Diploma specialising in CXUX Management and Design

 

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SOURCE Singapore Management University

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POVADDO LAUNCHES NEW RESEARCH SERVICE GIVING ORGANIZATIONS DIRECT ACCESS TO INSIGHTS FROM PUBLIC POLICY PROFESSIONALS IN THE U.S. AND EUROPE

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The Povaddo Panel Omnibus introduces a new shared-survey format that makes high-quality policy professional insights accessible at a fraction of the cost of a bespoke study

ST. LOUIS, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Povaddo, a leading provider of public opinion and policy elite research, today announced the launch of the Povaddo Panel Omnibus — a new research service that gives companies and organizations an efficient, cost-effective way to access public policy professional insights across the United States and Europe. Unlike Povaddo’s custom research offerings, the omnibus format allows multiple organizations to share survey space, significantly reducing cost while maintaining the same access to high-quality insights.

Launched in 2018, the Povaddo Panel was built to meet the growing demand for research insights from individuals who shape, influence, and analyze public policy as part of their daily work. Over the past eight years, the panel has grown to nearly 5,000 public policy professionals worldwide, including more than 2,000 in the United States. Many panelists are former elected officials, including former Members of Congress. Each panelist is individually verified to ensure both authenticity and quality.

The 2026 Povaddo Panel Omnibus schedule includes three waves, with the first launching on June 15. Companies and organizations can field questions among 200 U.S. public policy professionals and/or 200 European public policy professionals, with results delivered within two weeks. Pricing begins at $4,500 for a five-question package among one audience, or $8,000 for both the U.S. and European audiences. Each omnibus package includes:

Question consultation to ensure clarity and effectivenessData collection among the selected audienceTopline results for the total sample and key subgroups

To learn more, reserve space in an upcoming wave, or submit questions, please visit the “Omnibus” section of Povaddo’s website or email omnibus@povaddo.com.

“Companies and organizations that want to understand what public policy professionals think—whether about their brand or an issue they are facing—now have a new and more streamlined way to do so. While organizations have long been able to commission custom research through Povaddo, our new omnibus survey among public policy professionals fills an important need in the research marketplace,” said Brooke Hayes, Executive Vice President of Povaddo, who oversees the Povaddo Panel and the firm’s new omnibus research service.

“The organizations that navigate complex policy environments most successfully are the ones that understand how the policy community thinks. The Povaddo Panel Omnibus makes that kind of insight accessible and actionable for any organization that needs it,” said William Stewart, President and Founder of Povaddo. “What’s more, we know many senior management teams are keen to measure their organizations’ reputation among this elite audience.”

The Povaddo Panel Omnibus launches alongside Povaddo’s most recent thought leadership study, which illustrates the kind of distinctive insights the panel is uniquely positioned to deliver. Povaddo’s 2026 survey of public policy professionals in the U.S. and Europe examines attitudes toward artificial intelligence, including AI regulation, labor market impact, misinformation risk, and the broader existential concerns of the policy community. A high-level summary of select key findings is available on Povaddo’s website, and the complete 38-page report is available for purchase at $500.

About Povaddo: Povaddo specializes in public opinion and policy elite research. Founded in 2009, Povaddo is recognized as a trusted advisor to top-tier organizations that are navigating complex issues management, strategic communications, corporate reputation, and business transformation challenges. Povaddo’s expertise spans external affairs, corporate affairs, public affairs, government affairs, regulatory affairs, scientific affairs, corporate communications, and business planning and strategy. For more information, please visit www.povaddo.com.

Inquiries:

Brooke Hayes
+1 (855) 768-2336
hayes@povaddo.com

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SOURCE POVADDO LLC

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Tianma Highlighting Micro-LED HUD, Ultra-High-Refresh AMOLED, and Glasses-Free 3D Medical Display at Display Week 2026

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Tianma, a leading global manufacturer of flat panel displays, will showcase its latest display innovations at SID Display Week 2026, taking place May 5–7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At Booth 805, South Hall, Tianma will highlight three key technology demonstrations spanning automotive, mobile, and medical applications: a Micro-LED head-up display (HUD) designed for extreme brightness and transparency, an ultra-high-refresh-rate AMOLED display engineered for next-generation mobile performance, and a glasses-free 3D medical display enabling real-time 2D/3D visualization.

CHINO, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Tianma, a leading global manufacturer of flat panel displays, will showcase its latest display innovations at SID Display Week 2026, taking place May 5–7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

At Booth 805, South Hall, Tianma will highlight three key technology demonstrations spanning automotive, mobile, and medical applications: a Micro-LED head-up display (HUD) designed for extreme brightness and transparency, an ultra-high-refresh-rate AMOLED display engineered for next-generation mobile performance, and a glasses-free 3D medical display enabling real-time 2D/3D visualization.

This year, at the annual Business Conference on Monday, May 4, Tianma’s Jun Chen, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Automotive Market Development, will be a featured panelist during the Automotive Forum. In addition, Tianma has entered several new cutting-edge products and technologies into SID’s annual People’s Choice Awards competition, honoring the best products at Display Week.

KEY TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

Micro-LED IRIS HUD for Next-Generation Automotive Displays

Tianma’s 12-inch Micro-LED IRIS HUD is engineered to address one of the most critical challenges in automotive display design: maintaining visibility under all lighting conditions without compromising driver awareness.

Delivering peak brightness exceeding 120,000 nits, the display remains clearly visible even in direct sunlight. Its Micro-LED architecture enables an ultra-thin optical engine (approximately 2 mm), while a transparent front-window design eliminates the need for black masking layers — preserving the driver’s field of view and supporting more advanced, integrated cockpit designs.

Ultra-High-Refresh AMOLED for Next-Generation Mobile Performance

In mobile display technology, Tianma will showcase a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate, designed to overcome the traditional trade-offs between speed and image accuracy. The display incorporates a dual-track pixel driving architecture, separating data writing and threshold compensation to maintain stable, precise pixel control at high refresh rates. This approach significantly reduces motion artifacts while preserving low-gray detail, enabling smoother visuals and improved image stability for high-performance mobile applications.

Glasses-Free 3D Medical Display with Multi-Region 2D/3D Switching

For advanced professional applications, Tianma will present a 27-inch 4K medical-grade glasses-free 3D display, introducing multi-region 2D/3D switching capabilities. Unlike conventional systems limited to full-screen 3D, this display enables simultaneous presentation of 2D and 3D content, with seamless, real-time switching between modes. The system integrates low-latency eye tracking and real-time rendering, making it well suited for medical environments where precision, flexibility, and sterile operation are critical.

BROAD PORTFOLIO OF DISPLAY INNOVATIONS

In addition to these featured technologies, Tianma will present a wide range of display solutions across automotive, consumer, and professional applications.

In automotive, Tianma will showcase a transparent Micro-LED tiling display with over 60% transparency and a scalable, modular design, along with a 43.7-inch ultra-wide IRIS HUD featuring high brightness and curved integration for immersive cockpit environments.

In consumer electronics, Tianma will highlight its latest AMOLED innovations, including SLOD and U11 architectures designed to improve efficiency, brightness, and device lifetime, as well as a foldable AMOLED prototype engineered to reduce crease visibility and improve durability.

For IT applications, Tianma will demonstrate a 27-inch QHD Oxide TFT LCD with a native 610Hz refresh rate, setting a new benchmark for ultra-high-frame-rate displays.

In professional and industrial applications, Tianma will also feature an adaptive refresh Oxide display (20–144Hz) designed to balance high performance with power efficiency.

Advancing Display Innovation Across Applications

Together, these demonstrations reflect Tianma’s continued investment in Micro-LED, AMOLED, and advanced LCD technologies, enabling new levels of performance, efficiency, and integration across automotive, consumer, and professional markets. More information about the innovative new display solutions being displayed by Tianma is available at Booth 805 at Display Week and in the Tianma press kits, accessible online at usa.tianma.com/press Visit usa.tianma.com for more details.

About Tianma America, Inc.

Tianma America delivers advanced display solutions for the Americas, leveraging the global resources and innovation of the Tianma Group. Our expertise spans small to medium-size displays for a wide range of applications, including automotive, industrial, medical, consumer electronics, and emerging technologies.

As part of the Tianma Group, we combine world-class R&D with manufacturing capabilities across China and Japan to offer cutting-edge technologies such as TFT, LTPS, Oxide-TFT, AMOLED, flexible and transparent displays, and integrated touch solutions.

Through a strong network of distributors and partners, Tianma America provides complete display module solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Specifications and pricing are subject to change without notice.

Media Contact

Dale Maunu, Tianma America, Inc., 1 408-313-5642, Dale.Maunu@Tianma.com, usa.tianma.com

Bill Maurer, Macrovision, 1 215-327-8109, bill@macrovis.com, macrovision.com

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SOURCE Tianma America, Inc.

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FranklinWH Introduces Enhanced 15 kWh aPower in Australia and New Zealand

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Expansion comes as policy shifts and rising power costs accelerate demand for residential energy storage

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH, a leading provider of whole-home energy management and battery storage solutions, today announced the launch of its enhanced 15 kWh aPower battery in Australia and New Zealand, as demand for residential energy storage continues to grow, driven by evolving policy settings and increasing interest in energy independence.

The updated aPower builds on the company’s established platform, increasing usable capacity from 13.6 kWh to 15 kWh and raising warrantied throughput from 43 MWh to 60 MWh, an increase of 40 percent. These updates deliver more usable energy over the life of the system while maintaining the same footprint and price.

“The energy landscape is shifting quickly, and more homeowners are thinking beyond the upfront specs to what really pays off over time,” said Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia. “This upgrade is about delivering more performance over the life of the system, more usable energy, greater throughput, while staying true to our ‘buy once, buy right’ philosophy.”

The increase in warrantied throughput translates into savings for homeowners. Based on typical usage patterns and an electricity rate of A$0.35 per kilowatt-hour, the additional throughput may represent up to approximately A$5,950 in value over the lifetime of the system. The increase in usable capacity also improves energy density, lowering the effective cost per kilowatt-hour and supporting more efficient use of stored energy.

The 15 kWh configuration also aligns with current and upcoming policy frameworks benefitting residential battery adoption. This includes the updated Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with changes coming into effect for Australian homeowners from 1 May, 2026, helping households maximise value as incentives continue to evolve.

As the residential battery market expands, FranklinWH continues to focus on reliability and system performance. The aPower incorporates design elements to support durability, including structural reinforcement to reduce cell stress over time, per-cell temperature monitoring, and the separation of the battery pack and control systems to maintain reliable performance.

“We believe performance should be measured over years, not just at installation,” Ruskin added. “We focus on building systems that deliver consistent, reliable results over time. That long-term perspective is what ultimately defines value for homeowners.”

The aPower is designed to operate as part of the FranklinWH System, an integrated home energy management platform that coordinates energy generation, storage, and consumption. The system is designed to optimise multiple energy inputs, provide reliable backup power, and support more efficient and independent energy use at the household level.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System. FranklinWH is a market-oriented, research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Located in Macquarie Park, Sydney with a global head office in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions.

Contact: Media@franklinwh.com

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SOURCE FranklinWH Australia Pty Ltd

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