Dr Kiruthika Ramanathan
Programme Director, Master of IT in Business (Digital Transformation)
Meet Dr Kiruthika Ramanathan, the new Programme Director for the Master of IT in Business (MITB) Digital Transformation programme. With a diverse background, from her PhD research in neural networks and cognitive computing at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) to spearheading digital initiatives at the Singapore Science Centre, Dr Ramanathan brings a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation to her new role. Dive in to learn more about her career-defining moments, personal passions and advice for aspiring digital transformation professionals.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
My PhD thesis many years ago was on the topic of Neural Networks, and I worked as a post doc for around seven years in A*Star’s data storage institute in the field of Cognitive Computing. That was my first experience working with a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in hardware, Machine Learning, Materials Science, Psychology and Cognitive Science. After that, I pivoted to the education sector with nine years at the Singapore Science Centre, where I grew to lead the Informal Science Education department and Digital Transformation for the organisation.
What are your primary goals as the new Digital Transformation programme director?
- Ensure that the curriculum stays current and relevant, as business needs and technology are constantly evolving.
- Build and foster industry partnerships, starting by leveraging on my current role as faculty manager for undergraduate capstone and the existing MITB network. The idea is to form a network of experts who can then step in as guest speakers and provide internship opportunities for our students.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your professional journey?
A pivoting moment was my time at the Singapore Science Centre, where I spearheaded various digital initiatives to streamline and scale the work done by the Education department. This experience gave me solid insights into the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, especially the interplay of people, processes and technology – aspects that we cover in the MITB Digital Transformation programme. It also made me appreciate the fact that leading a digital transformation initiative isn’t just about technology. ?
What do you enjoy most about working in the field of digital transformation?
I enjoy working with people, understanding their challenges with technology and breaking it down into accessible pieces to communicate to the digital layman. I also enjoy making prototypes, evaluating them, and iterating – what we call Experimental Learning and Design Thinking (check out the module if you are interested).
How do you see the role of digital transformation impacting businesses and society in the next 5-10 years?
Technology is advancing rapidly, and its sheer scale brings up problems that we didn’t foresee a few years ago. For example, a recent minor update by CrowdStrike caused a global outage highlighted the scale and impacted several applications and businesses downstream. Similarly, discussions about the metaverse a few years ago raised concerns about personal space within virtual environments and Generative AI, a hot topic today, sparks debate around ethics, bias and inclusivity. While these challenges may seem daunting, they also present an exciting opportunity for those can leverage technology while adeptly navigating and managing these complexities. I believe these will pave the way for new innovations and collaborations.
What advice would you give to students aspiring to work in digital transformation?
If you don’t have a technical background, use the time in school to develop an agile mindset and pick up prototyping skills. If you are a technical person, spend time talking to the non-technical people and understand how to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. This makes you well-positioned to manage and work in a diverse team needed for digital transformation
What is your vision for the future graduates of the digital transformation specialisation track?
To paraphrase Minister Vivian, in Singapore innovation is not about being sexy, it is about survival, Therefore we need to fail fast, fail often and learn quickly. I hope that our students leave with this mindset of agility, small iterative developments and take the idea of fast learning to their organisations.
Can you tell us about a hobby or interest outside of work that you're passionate about?
I am an avid reader and currently a hydroponic farmer. I also enjoy various forms of tinkering, so you would see me switch erratically between painting, sewing, knitting, electronics and other projects.
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
I try to walk the dog with my kids, go for nature / long walks and travel with family.
Who has been a significant mentor or influence in your life and career, and why?
It would be a combination of a couple of people: my dad for encouraging me to study, my husband for being my partner in crime in all the crazy experimenting we do at home and supporting my involvement in work, and my ex-boss, Prof Lim Tit Meng, for encouraging the same craziness at the Science Centre where I was exposed to everything from astronomy to bio-hacking.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about yourself or your new role?
That’s about it. I am looking forward to taking on this role and the challenges therein.
