Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) recently announced on 22nd February 2021, an investment of US$50 million (approximately S$66 million) over three years since 2019 in the establishment of a Global Innovation Hub (GIH) in Singapore. Of this planned investment, US$23 million (approximately S$30 million) will be invested this year. This is supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) and these investments will go towards accelerating developments in digital experiences and research & development (R&D) capabilities. Minister for Trade & Industry, Minister Chan Chun Sing, inaugurated the Dell Technologies Global Innovation Hub (GIH) on the morning of 22nd February 2021.
Digital Future – Made in Singapore
The GIH is launched under Dell Technologies Digital Future – Made in Singapore initiative that aims to fast track the adoption of digital solutions and drive global innovations in Singapore for their partners and customers globally to be future-ready. This is also the first-of-its-kind innovation centre located outside of the Dell’s global headquarters in the United States. The GIH will focus on multiple growth areas, advancing digital transformation including augmented reality (AR) / mixed reality (MR), data analytics, cloud-native, cybersecurity, edge computing. They are also home to a specialised team responsible for enhancing user experiences through innovation. In addition, the GIH also houses existing R&D facilities in Singapore such as the catalyst for AI understanding and adoption.
With the establishment of the GIH, it has created more than 160 job opportunities in emerging technologies in Singapore. A diverse range of R&D innovators will be recruited, comprising designers, developers and strategists. The hiring process will be completed by this year, all new hires for the GIH are based in Singapore and will drive Dell’s R&D programmes for their customers and partners worldwide.
Amit Midha, President, Asia Pacific & Japan and Global Digital Cities, Dell Technologies, said: “Singapore is globally recognised as an internationally vibrant business, technology and thriving R&D hub. Our Digital Future – Made in Singapore initiative further supports Singapore’s unique standing by driving digital innovations developed in Singapore to the world. We’re very excited to unveil our global innovation hub as part of this initiative that will allow us to ideate, experiment and co-create meaningful digital solutions for our global customer and partner ecosystem. The Dell Technologies Global Innovation Hub in Singapore supported by talented local professionals will allow us to further contribute to the country’s growth and develop innovative products and solutions in emerging technologies to serve the wider regional and global markets.”
The Singapore Government announced in 2020 that an investment of S$25 billion into its next five-year plan for research, innovation and enterprise (RIE 2025) to meet a broader spectrum of national needs and building up a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy and society.
“Dell Technologies’ Global Innovation Hub speaks to the company’s confidence in Singapore as an attractive R&D location, with access to talent and a vibrant ecosystem of partners here and in the region. Dell Technologies will create meaningful jobs for Singaporeans across design, strategy, research and product development. These in turn support our efforts in building a Smart Nation and a strong digital economy,” said Mr Ang Chin Tah, Vice President and Head, DISG.
Dell Technologies started off as a PC-maker, they have since evolved into one of the largest global technology companies in the world today, with deep expertise across edge computing, 5G, cloud, security, AI and machine learning. The company is driving digital transformation initiatives for companies of all sizes via its comprehensive and wide range of products portfolio. In Singapore, Dell Technologies have been proactively enabling technologies and businesses and communities in Singapore over the past two decades.
Dell Technologies also announced earlier on 10th February 2021, the launch of a tech skills accelerator initiative to empower up to 3,000 fresh graduates, mid-career professionals and students in Singapore with knowledge and skills in cloud computing, data protection and management, data science and big data analytics above the next two years.
The launch of the GIH and a move to leverage local talent continue the momentum by Dell Technologies on their tech skills accelerator initiative, to up-skill and train more than 3,000 fresh graduates, mid-career professionals and students in Singapore to be future ready, as well as a collaboration with Singapore Management University for its students to benefit from a curriculum on cloud-native and emerging technologies.
Added Midha: “The world needs technology now more than ever. In encouraging the adoption of digital solutions and new technologies, strengthening our product and process innovation system, and engaging the talent pipeline, we believe that we are paving the path for a more resilient, progressive, inclusive and sustainable economy.”
* Information and pictures courtesy of Dell Technologies and BCW *