Together Ngee Ann Polytechnic and UOB have launched AGILE, a campus incubator to drive innovation, learning and entrepreneurship.
AGILE was launched by Minister for Transport Mr Ong Ye Kung, who also sits on the board of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
The abbreviation AGILE stands for Accelerating Growth in Innovation, Learning and Entrepreneurship.
Start-ups will have access to mentorship through The Finlab, an innovation accelerator by UOB as well as opportunities to glean industry insights through The FinLab’s programmes. Students, in turn, will gain from AGILE-based internships with NP and UOB where they can learn about entrepreneurship and collaboration, as well as from the start-ups based in AGILE.
AGILE consists of Hangout@UOB, It is a community space designed by graduates from NP’s School of Design & Environment to encourage collaboration.
The community space that facilitates collaboration and handson experience for students to run their own café within the premises, an incubator for start-ups to help grow their businesses and student engagement spaces to encourage learning and discovery.
Hangout@UOB has discussion areas to facilitate collaboration and the sharing of ideas. The Bank plans to run events and seminars with NP to share insights on fintechs and innovation and financial literacy programmes.
Hangout@UOB also features common spaces where students can unwind. As part of upping the fun quotient, UOB, a pioneer in using AI for social engagement, partnered artificial intelligence (AI) firm SenseTime and Grid Synergy to design interactive AI games which students can play during their free time.
Hangout@UOB will be co-managed by student interns under the supervision and mentorship of UOB employees. These interns will complete a 24-week stint during which they will be trained in customer service and operational risk and compliance.
Ms Jacquelyn Tan, Head of Group Personal Financial Services, UOB, said:
“Hangout@UOB is where the enterprising minds and ideas of students can come to life. Here, students will be able to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world and for them to make a difference. For instance, the café run by students under the ‘Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)’ initiative highlights how UOB and NP are supporting budding entrepreneurs. In comanaging Hangout@UOB, students will also learn how to anticipate customer needs, with the guidance from our UOB colleagues. These will be their real-life experiences that go beyond any textbook knowledge. We will also hold regular activities with NP such as fireside chats with UOB leaders and industry experts for students to gain a deeper understanding of how they can better manage their own personal finances.”
