Software upgrade
Pursuing a Master of Technology in Software Engineering at NUS-ISS helps Mr Tan Wai Tuck future-proof his career in the IT industry
By Kenneth Goh
July 7, 2020
It has been two decades since Mr Tan Wai Tuck, 46, last hit the books. But that did not deter him from enrolling in a Master of Technology in Software Engineering programme last year.
Mr Tan, a senior software engineer at energy solutions company EDMI, says the knowledge upgrade is vital to help him perform better at his job and stay relevant in the fast-evolving IT industry.
The programme, offered by the Institute of Systems Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS-ISS), enables software engineers to help organisations in the industry realise Smart Nation initiatives through building robust, reliable and scalable software systems.
Mr Tan, who has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, juggles work and school, and will complete the master’s programme this year. He opted for this course because he wanted a well-structured one, with up-to-date content in areas such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things.
Knowledge boost
He has 21 years of working experience, but going on this programme has made him even more effective at work, where he leads a team that develops products which integrate the company’s meter-reading software.
He says: “I now pay more attention to system attributes like scalability and security at an early stage when developing solutions. This ensures minimal reworks later and helps the business save costs.”
For him, an impactful module in the programme is Platform Engineering, which helps him think in terms of platforms — a set of software and the surrounding ecosystem of resources that delivers features through synergising external tools, data and processes.
He says: “Platform thinking can help businesses achieve economic benefits by adding or removing applications and tools as they grow and change.”
He also finds group projects useful because they help him understand how to apply his knowledge, and he can tap on the experience of groupmates from different industries.
Visit nus.edu/3er0JoY for more information about the Master of Technology in Software Engineering programme.
