The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) recently announced new initiatives to strengthen Singapore’s engineering talent pipeline during the National Engineers Day (NED) 2025 and Engineering Innovation Challenge (EIC) prize presentation ceremony held at ITE College Central.
Graced by Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport, Sun Xueling, the event took place on 1 August 2025 with the theme ‘Shaping the Future with Engineering Innovation’ – which underscores the creativity and forward-thinking mindset vital to engineering Singapore’s future.
“IES is committed to empowering young talents to build the future we want to live in. To solve complex challenges, we not only need engineers, but a full ecosystem of professionals, from engineering technologists to technicians, to work together. From sparking their interest to offering financial support and professional recognition, we are focused on nurturing the next generation of engineers to lead our nation’s growth into the future,” said Er. Chan Ewe Jin, president of IES.
IES and ITE team up
To strengthen early engagement and exposure to engineering, IES and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) have signed an enhanced memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the ceremony.
Under this agreement, all ITE Engineering students enrolled in Nitec, Higher Nitec, Technical Engineer Diploma or Work-Study Diploma programmes will receive complimentary IES Student Memberships, valid until graduation or the end of their studentship, whichever occurs first. These students will have opportunities to participate in dialogue sessions with IES members, local and overseas learning journeys and STEM-related enrichment activities.
In addition, IES will sponsor book prizes to recognise outstanding ITE engineering students as a form of academic encouragement and professional validation. These efforts aim to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have access to a supported and inclusive pathway into the profession.
IES has also established new Chartership Assessment Centres at ITE and Singapore Polytechnic for Chartered Technicians and Chartered Technologists respectively, expanding formal pathways to professional recognition in the built environment and infrastructure engineering sectors. Offering students and practice-based professionals an alternative route to certification, these centres are part of efforts by IES to widen access to industry-recognised credentials and grow Singapore’s pool of technically-skilled professionals.
The IES Scholarship Fund, launched in 2024 to support financially disadvantaged engineering students, will award its first six bond-free scholarships this year to students from ITE, polytechnics and universities. The inaugural recipients will be honoured at the IES 59th Annual Dinner in November. The fund received a fresh boost of S$180,000, raised through IES Charity Golf 2025 held earlier in July.
Young innovators in engineering
Emerging as standouts for their creativity, technical rigour and future-focused solutions, the winners of EIC 2025 were officially crowned at the prize presentation ceremony. They comprised student teams across secondary schools, junior colleges, ITEs, polytechnics and universities.
Now in its 11th edition, the EIC remains NED’s flagship competition and a nationwide challenge that empowers students to tackle real-world problems through engineering innovation. It is organised by IES with support from the Ministry of Education and industry partners.
This year’s challenge drew strong participation from local and international landscape, with nearly 180 teams competing and 79 advancing to the finals. Among the highlights are innovative engineering solutions for the concrete and construction industry, including:
A). ‘Optimisation of Cement Properties Using Sustainable Materials: Upcycling Shellfish Shell Waste and Recycled Plastics’
School: ITE College East
This project explores the development of a sustainable cement composite by partially replacing ordinary Portland cement with pre-treated shellfish shell waste and recycled plastic flakes.
By upcycling these abundant waste materials, the study aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve concrete durability. Shells are chemically treated with sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid and oxalic acid to enhance compatibility, while plastic flakes are added to boost hydrophobicity and flexural strength.
The hybrid mix is expected to retain compressive strength within ±5% of conventional mixes, enhance flexural toughness by 15-20%, and lower water absorption by up to 10%. With a projected 15-20% reduction in CO2 emissions, the composite offers a low-energy, scalable alternative to traditional cement. Potential applications include marine infrastructure and lightweight insulating materials.
This research supports circular economy goals and sustainable construction practices by transforming biological and plastic waste into high-performance building materials.
B). ‘Substituting Commercial Retarders with FePO₄-Dominated Battery Waste (FPW) in Concrete’
School: National University of Singapore
This project explores the use of iron phosphate waste powder (FPW) from expired electric vehicle (EV) batteries as a sustainable substitute for commercial retarders in concrete. Retarders slow the setting time of concrete, which is essential for large pours and construction in hot climates.
By repurposing FPW, the study aims to reduce environmental impact while maintaining or enhancing concrete performance. Concrete samples with varying FPW proportions will be prepared and tested for setting time and compressive strength. Results will be compared against conventional mixes containing commercial retarders to assess performance and feasibility.
This research promotes circular economy principles by converting battery waste into value-added construction materials and contributes to carbon emission reduction efforts aligned with net-zero targets for 2050.
All images: The Institution of Engineers, Singapore
