Postgraduate Matriculation Day 2025 – Speech by SUTD President Professor Phoon Kok Kwang

Good morning, and a very warm welcome to SUTD!

I am Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, though most people call me KK. As President of SUTD, it is a privilege to welcome you today as you embark on the next stage of your academic journey. Some of you join us directly after graduation, while others bring valuable experience from enterprises. Regardless of your background, it is heartening that you are committing to deepen your knowledge, and I have no doubt you will emerge from SUTD, even better equipped to further your aspirations and to contribute to society.

Today, we welcome 243 postgraduate students from all walks of life, ready to take on new challenges in your academic journey. Some of you will embark on research-based journeys through programmes such as the PhD, the Engineering Doctorate, the Master of Engineering by Research, or the SUTD-CGU Dual Masters in Nano-Electronics Engineering and Design. Others will pursue coursework-based programmes, including the Master of Architecture (MArch), Master of Science in Design and Artificial Intelligence for Enterprise (MSc DAI-E), Master of Science in Security by Design (MSSD), Master of Urban Science, Policy and Planning (MUSPP), and Master of Science in Technology and Design (MTD).

Among these, I would like to highlight a very special addition this year – the inaugural cohort of the MSc DAI-E programme, Singapore’s first master’s programme in Design·AI. Designed especially with mid-career professionals in mind, this programme reflects SUTD Leap, our multi-year growth strategy to redefine higher education with a stronger emphasis on Design·AI.

So, what exactly do we mean by Design·AI? At SUTD, Design·AI goes beyond applying AI to design tasks, building AI tools, or creating AI systems. It represents a bold integration of AI with the broader principles of design – embracing creativity, ethics, empathy, critical thinking, purposeful action, and a commitment to solving human and societal challenges. It is about designing with AI to serve human needs, rather than replacing human judgement. It is about knowing when to collaborate with AI, when to delegate to it, and when to say: no, this is a job for a human. Above all, Design·AI is about asking better questions, designing with people in mind, and creating value that AI alone cannot.

In Singapore, the national priority is to nurture a new workforce consisting of “bilinguals” – talents who are conversant in AI and have industry expertise such as that of aviation and healthcare. In SUTD, you will go one step further and become “trilingual”, because Design·AI empowers you to think differently about any industry and create innovation solutions beyond the human imagination, and yet are human-centred – certainly beyond what a bilingual without design thinking can do.

To bring Design·AI to life, we also launched the Design·AI Fab Lab – a dedicated space for experimentation and co-creation, where faculty, students, and even alumni can prototype ideas and shape future solutions together. Dubbed “Building 0” by a group of students, the lab reflects the spirit of starting from first principles – a powerful reminder of the kind of innovation we aim to nurture at SUTD. Design·AI Fab Lab is accessible to all SUTD students, faculty, staff and enterprise partners. You are most welcome to experiment with us.

To ensure that every one of you has the chance to explore boldly, we are piloting DIVE – our new platform for Design, Innovation and Venture Exploration. DIVE brings together a residential college for all SUTD students and opportunities for overseas innovation internships. It is meant to take you beyond the classroom – immersing you in real-world challenges and collaborations, where your ideas can be tested, refined, and scaled.

Through DIVE, you will have the chance to grow into globally minded, value-driven innovators and founders. By weaving internships and venture support directly into your journey, we are building a broader and more resilient talent pipeline. Most importantly, DIVE ensures that you don’t just learn knowledge – you learn how to turn it into lasting impact, leading with purpose and creativity in Design·AI.

One inspiring example is that of Harrjeeth Senthil Kumar, one of our postgraduate students, who founded Zennah when he was in Chennai, India, and further developed at SUTD. Zennah is a generative AI platform that enables jewellers and customers to create personalised jewellery designs within seconds – designs that can be customised, downloaded, and brought to life. Harrjeeth’s journey with Zennah began with a personal touch – designing custom shoes for his late grandmother, who was paralysed. This experience sparked his passion for human-centred design, and he found jewellery design to be an even more compelling canvas. With support from SUTD’s Baby Shark Fund and his team, Harrjeeth is now working with jewellery designers to revolutionise the industry, making design more accessible and tailored to individual tastes.

Harrjeeth’s story shows us that at SUTD, ideas can take shape, find support, and make a real-world impact – even while you are still a student. Just like Harrjeeth, each of you has the potential to turn ideas into impact during your time here. Choosing to embark on a postgraduate path is never an easy decision. It requires balancing personal aspirations, professional goals, and a significant investment of time and energy. But let me assure you – you have made the right choice with SUTD. Through your research, experiences, and collaborations, you will enrich our community with fresh perspectives, creativity, and drive. At the same time, you will find a close-knit and supportive environment, where faculty, peers, and staff are committed to helping you succeed.

Your time here will not be defined by academics and research alone. It is also about building connections, discovering inspiration across disciplines, and seizing opportunities beyond the classroom or lab. Let SUTD be a platform for exploration, growth, and discovery. Above all, I encourage you to see your journey at SUTD as a partnership. Together – with AI, your peers, our faculty, and the wider community – you will be trailblazers in your own right. We are excited to see the impact you will make through new discoveries and bold ideas.

I wish each of you an enriching and fulfilling journey ahead. Welcome once again to SUTD, and I look forward to the many ways you will shape the future with us through Design·AI and beyond.