Kingston International College announced a new collaboration with Oracle (China) Software Systems Co., Ltd and key partners, aimed at developing a clear and effective programme for nurturing AI professionals. This prepares students to meet the rapidly changing demands of industries in Singapore and across the ASEAN region.
The agreement was formalised at a launch event held on 21 September at Oracle China’s Beijing campus, which brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry and social organisations. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to developing talent aligned with the evolving digital economy by tailoring education to workforce needs.
Singapore: The Launchpad for ASEAN’s Digital Talent
This comes at a crucial time as global studies forecast rapid job growth in AI, cloud and data sectors, even as automation transforms industries. ASEAN’s digital economy alone is projected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, yet more than half of employers cite digital skills shortages as a major obstacle. According to the Economic Development Board and Boston Consulting Group, demand for AI and digital technology talent in Southeast Asia is already growing at 10–20% annually, a pace that urgently calls for scalable, industry-ready pipelines.
With its world-class talent ecosystem and training infrastructure, Singapore is uniquely positioned to address this challenge, not only domestically but across the wider ASEAN region. Through its exclusive partnership with an industry-focused institution like Kingston in Singapore, this latest initiative will ensure that students are not only academically grounded but also fully career-ready professionals.
Kingston’s Mission: Fostering Employability
Kingston aims to bridge the gap between education and employment through a structured and personalised student support programme that prepares students to enter the workforce with confidence. Alongside mentoring, industry immersion, internships, and industry-based projects, its programmes place a strong emphasis on soft skills and character development, equipping students with the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities needed to transform classroom learning into immediate workplace impact.
This partnership also includes Oracle WDP partner One-Tom (Beijing) Internet Technology Co., Ltd and Murdoch University, which offer academic pathways for students to advance to degree-level and postgraduate studies. This collaborative programme will continue to expand, incorporating more educational institutions and industry stakeholders to create a dynamic ecosystem that fosters innovation and enhances employability across ASEAN.
“ASEAN’s digital economy is on track to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, and Singapore is perfectly placed to be the training hub for future-ready professionals,” said Ryan Goh, CEO of Kingston International College. “Through our partnership with Oracle China and One-Tom, Kingston acts as the career launchpad, equipping students with the skills, experience and networks to thrive in the global digital economy.”
Call for Collaboration: Building the Future Workforce Together
Kingston and its partners invite educational institutions, government agencies, industry leaders, employers and technology innovators to join this transformative initiative. By participating as pathway providers, internship hosts, project collaborators, mentors and industry sponsors can directly shape the next generation of AI and digital professionals while gaining privileged access to a pipeline of job-ready talent trained to meet tomorrow’s demands.
