The School of Information & Communications Technology aims to develop graduates who are passionate about utilising technology to improve daily standards of living and effectiveness at the workplace. While our Diplomas in Information Technology and Business Computing ground students in the latest developments and potential of the field of information and communications technology, they also groom them to be all-rounded individuals, possessing broad-based skills like communication, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and creativity.

The School experienced a busy year, organising numerous activities such as the ActionScript.Awards.01 from January to April 2004, supported by IDA, IBM, SUN Microsystems and Macromedia. The national event is the first of its kind in the region and attracted entries from professionals and students vying for $20,000 worth of prizes.

Technology Development Centres

The Technology Development Centre for Open Source Technology strives to promote open source development and the creation of an open source framework for Singapore, mainly through school projects and competitions at the national and regional levels. During the year, the Centre launched Linux Day and collaborated with the Linux User Group.

The Technology Development Centre for Security seeks to become a centre of excellence in the area of security through technology development and deployment. During the year, it undertook two projects with the ISS (Internet Security Systems)to develop competence in intrusion detection and protection of computer systems. One of these was the ISS Desktop Trial project completed on 15 February 2004 and the other was the implementation of the Information Security Laboratory project.

Some other major projects started by the Centre during the year were:

1. Implementation of the Security Management Centre together with IBM to develop competence in Public Key Infrastructure Central Security Management System and Identity Management System.
2. Implementation and testing of the campus Biometric Access System project in conjunction with NEC to develop competence in the different biometric-based technologies such as fingerprinting, iris, facial and the latest vein recognition systems.
3. Planning for the Software Assurance Work Group to develop the area of security standards.

Student Achievements

On 8 January 2004, our students participated in the Wireless Java Jam – a Java™2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME™) Entrepreneur Development Programme organised by the Java Wireless Competency Centre (JWCC) to encourage innovation and promote entrepreneurship among tertiary students in building J2ME wireless technology and a comprehensive wireless business. About 400 students from eight tertiary institutions pit their Java Programming skills against one another to produce innovative and exciting applications for Java™ enabled mobile phones.

The School’s first year students formed three teams and submitted their first wireless mobile applications, namely Dic’saurus: Mobile Dictionary and Thesaurus application; E-bus: Mobile Bus Guide and Information Application; and Smart Mobile: Application to Top Up Ezlink and Calling Card via Handphone. They gave a short presentation in front of a panel of judges and participated in the Code Jam Competition which required them to come up with a mobile application within four hours after being given a theme on the spot.