With the rapid onset of new technologies in a business landscape that is constantly evolving, digital transformation has emerged as a driver of organisational success. Tech serves as a great equaliser across various sectors and industries, effectively bridging gaps and fostering opportunities for businesses to thrive on a level playing field.
Under such circumstances, business leaders may increasingly feel compelled to acquire the necessary expertise. The SMU Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme stands at the forefront of cultivating graduates who can rise to the challenge and emerge as leaders of tomorrow.
The MITB programme offers four specialisation tracks: Analytics (AT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Transformation (DT) and Financial Technology & Analytics (FTA). Each track is designed to provide candidates with unique resources to allow them to lead competently and decisively in their area of specialisation.
Of these, the MITB DT track is the latest addition, and aims to equip graduates with a blend of information and communications technology (ICT) knowledge and skills to strategise and execute digital transformation for a complex organisation. Launched in 2021, the track has successfully graduated its pioneer batch, individuals who are now well-prepared to make meaningful impact in their workplaces.
To understand the transformative value that MITB brings to the table, we delve into the remarkable journeys and achievements of three graduates from the pioneering MITB DT track and explore how the programme has positioned them for success.
How mindset is key to digital transformation
The MITB programme places a significant emphasis on cultivating a real-world digital mindset. Consequently, the curriculum doesn’t solely prioritise technical skills, but also focuses on the development of soft skills that are easily transferrable across different contexts.
Ariana Tan, a graduate of the MITB progamme and currently an Associate Director at the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, offers her insights as part of the inaugural batch of DT students who graduated this year. She explains that her professors frequently laid the groundwork by establishing a structured framework and setting clear expectations.
“Our dedicated DT Professors would provide practical examples within their modules, but the MITB programme also offers a comprehensive understanding of what digital transformation entails. The invaluable lesson is that ‘skills lay the foundation for transformation, yet people are the key to ensuring its success’.”
“This has influenced the way I tackle challenges in my professional life, reinforcing the importance of both technical competence and the human element in driving successful digital transformation.”
Similarly, Bernard Ng, a Strategic Initiatives Manager (Digital Transformation) at Hewlett Packard Singapore, reiterates this mindset.
“I learnt to identify problem statements and develop business cases with the stakeholders by first applying human-centric design thinking,” says Bernard.
“As these processes will inevitably involve people, this approach ensures that the solution is something that is adaptable to different people.”
Cutting-edge technologies and strategies that fuel the process
On top of the strong emphasis of cultivating a digital mindset, the MITB programme imparts knowledge and experience in various cutting-edge technologies that help to fuel the programme.
Isaac Tay, a Product Manager at Group Digital Technology (Global) of EssilorLuxottica, shares that the curriculum ensured expertise in areas from software development and management, IT architecture, analytics and artificial intelligence.
[From left to right: Wong Yew Hoong, Derek Lin, Isaac Tay]
“The strong foundation is a good base from which I can deepen my understanding and find my way around topics even as the digital landscape evolves,” says Isaac.
“This ultimately enables me to translate technologies into actual solutions that make sense for both users and the business.”
Ariana echoes the benefits of the technologies that are taught as part of the MITB programme. She had also attended Analytics Track modules as her electives, which helped her gain a better understanding of newer technologies in Data Analytics and Machine Learning.
“I come from the accountancy sector, and technology was way out of bounds to me before the programme,” she relates.
“After graduating with a MITB degree, I can better understand my technology stakeholders.”
Navigating the challenges of Digital Transformation
Any transformational process is certain to come with its fair share of challenges – after all, humans are wont to resist change.
“Even if the change may be beneficial for the business, stakeholders may resist the change as they are comfortable with their current state,” shares Bernard.
As part of the DT track, the Change Management module imparts the skills of developing a strategy aimed at surmounting such challenges. Through meticulous planning and adept management, stakeholders can be effectively engaged, fostering a sense of inclusion in the transformation process.
Isaac observed how the module’s teachings proved effective in a challenging web application project, where tensions had mounted between the business and development teams due to miscommunication and differing priorities. When Isaac joined the project midway and applied learnings from the module to refine the project approach, the teams managed to enhance the development process while fostering better collaboration.
“Over time, we were blessed with much healthier working relationships,” he explains.
“In this context, I found areas covered in the MITB programme, such as Change Management, Agile DevSecOps (development, security and operations) and Product Management, to be highly relevant and useful in the workplace.”
As the graduates agree, the DT track equips graduates with a combination of digital mindset, cutting-edge technological expertise, and strategic acumen to navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation successfully. Ariana echoes this sentiment, espousing the strengths of the MITB programme and the impact it has made in her work.
“I have evolved into a bridge between the business sector, armed with industry knowledge, and the technological realm, adept at speaking its language,” she remarks.
“This unique blend of skills and knowledge acquired through the MITB programme has empowered me to steer successful digital transformations, transcending traditional boundaries and delivering sustainable business value.”
Watch Ariana and Isaac's sharing about their MITB experiences:
