Press Releases

RS Components and Republic Polytechnic Sign MoU to Set Up Electronic Product Design Lab

To spur collaboration and innovation among the engineering community;
Republic Polytechnic is the first in Singapore to include RS Components’ software in curriculum

Singapore, 24 January 2014 :

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM),  the world's leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up an Electronic Product Design Lab (EPDL) with Republic Polytechnic (RP), its first polytechnic partner institution in Singapore. In this effort to nurture future engineers and promote collaboration and innovation, the Lab will provide a conducive learning environment with the right tools and resources for students.

The EPDL is equipped with RS Components’ DesignSpark software suite, consisting of the DesignSpark Printed Circuit Board (DS PCB) and DesignSpark Mechanical (DS Mechanical) tools for real-world electronic engineering design. The EPDL will also provide students access to the latest electronics products fully sponsored by RS. The facility will serve as a one-stop centre for students to understand the entire design process, from front end circuit design to final product realisation.

Lim Cheng Mong, Asia Pacific Head of Product Marketing for RS Components, said: “As James A. Michener said, ‘Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them’. With the EDPL and DesignSpark suite, we seek to empower the engineers of tomorrow helping them make their ideas a reality when they use RS Components’ software tool, thus affirming RS Components’ commitment to foster the engineers of tomorrow.”

Republic Polytechnic is also the first polytechnic in Singapore to develop a course module based on DS PCB to teach PCB design, a fundamental skill for all electrical and electronics students. More than 350 students of RP each year will learn how to use the software for schematic capture, PCB board design and layout, and generate manufacturing files in the new curriculum.  As part of RP’s Problem-Based Learning pedagogy, students will also embark on  theoretical learning through demonstration videos before utilising the software for their projects. Through early familiarisation of the software in the classroom, students will be better prepared with the necessary skills needed for jobs in the engineering workforce.

RS Components will also jointly develop content and e-learning resources with RP, as well as host joint workshops for the wider industry such as customers, mature students, and other industrial or educational institutions who may be interested in using these tools. Other activities include student internship programmes, competitions, sponsorships of book prizes and development kits, as well as engineering-related projects to create awareness among secondary schools in Singapore.                                                             

Dr Wang Jianguo, Director of RP’s School of Engineering, is an advocate of the use of DS PCB in the school’s curriculum, “Our engineering students will now have exposure to an industry-leading tool used by established companies, and be equipped with the theoretical know-how for schematic capture as well as enhance their practical capabilities in this field. This will ensure that they have the sufficient skill sets for the fast-paced engineering industry upon graduation.”

A total of 350 engineering students in their second year of study are expected to use the Lab every year. In their third year, the students will have the option to utilise the DS PCB tool for their final year projects.