2019 Achievements

A significant milestone was achieved with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and StarHub to equip the Department of Building School of Design and Environment’s SDE4 building as a 5G test laboratory, making it the first net-zero energy building with the latest wi-fi technology.

In August 2018, NUS IT launched the University’s first cognitive chatbot, ALCA. This technology adoption marks a strategic shift to a truly customer-centric service desk model which leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has become such a key driver of digital transformation across industries that NUS IT subsequently received many requests from interested parties like FOE, FOS and CIT for training on how to build their very own chatbots. Classes were conducted over the course of early 2019 in both computer labs and classrooms, guided by NUS IT colleagues.

Recently, the NUS IT Application team implemented an elegant and innovative solution using secured QR to capture the attendance and declaration of students who attended a compulsory discussion module. The solution was developed under 3 weeks and had been successfully used by more than 10,000 students.

In Sep 2018, we became the first institute of higher learning (IHL) in Singapore to implement Facial Recognition Door Access (FRDA) on campus. This solution was rolled-out to our i4.0 building, a 6-storey building home to NUS Smart Nation Research Cluster. In addition, FRDA was also implemented in 2 levels of University Hall, where our senior management offices are situated. In all, FRDA has been deployed to 38 doors!