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<\/p>\nSINGAPORE \u2013 By academic year 2027, the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) aims to take in 60 students per cohort for a scholar programme on artificial intelligence (AI) that is named after wartime codebreaker and British computing pioneer Alan Turing. <\/p>\n
The Turing AI Scholars Programme kicked off in 2024 with a first batch of 34 students. It now has another 47 in its second intake.<\/p>\n
A four-year direct honours scholars track, the programme is offered\u00a0to undergraduates pursuing Computer Science, Data Science and AI, and AI and Society at NTU\u2019s College of Computing and Data Science.<\/p>\n
Students who are chosen will be put on a specialised curriculum combining advanced AI coursework and research projects. Other features include masterclasses, one-to-one mentorship, immersion trips and overseas exposure.<\/p>\n
Professor Bo An, the programme\u2019s director and NTU\u2019s division head of AI, said it was created for students with a strong passion for advancing AI. <\/p>\n
The programme is open to undergraduates with exceptional academic records and co-curricular achievements. Aside from leadership qualities, applicants should also show passion in AI development and have a strong foundation in mathematics.<\/p>\n
For participants like Ms Yvonne Lim, 20, a second-year data science and AI student from the pioneer batch, getting to engage closely with global experts has been a key draw. <\/p>\n
Over the course of their first year, Ms Lim and her fellow Turing AI programme participants attended weekly three-hour masterclasses at NTU by professors Michael Wooldridge and Peter Millican from the University of Oxford. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe got to delve into the history of AI, and engage with foundational questions about AI\u2019s limits and what is the evaluation matrix for it to be considered intelligent,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Now in their second year, they will also attend a masterclass by Professor Armando Solar-Lezama from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n
Mr Mohamed Farsat Ansari, 21, a first-year computer science student in the second cohort, said the sessions conducted by Prof Millican gave him interesting insights about how AI was conceptualised.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learnt how Turing, a scientist from the past, even without the technology that we have, came up with an idea of what computers can do in the future. This was quite exciting to learn about,\u201d said Mr Farsat.<\/p>\n
As part of the inaugural cohort, for her immersion trip, Ms Lim travelled to Beijing in May and learnt about the importance of strong mathematical foundations and long-term research planning, through programmes such as Tsinghua University\u2019s Yao Class and Peking University\u2019s Turing Class.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw the quantum computing research labs, and spoke to brilliant Yao Class students from Tsinghua, and this really revealed the immense potential and cutting-edge work being done in the field,\u201d said Ms Lim.<\/p>\n
Calling it eye-opening, she added that while the trip inspired her to continue pushing boundaries, the professors there made her aware of vulnerabilities like adversarial attacks and the importance of building robust, secure and ethical AI models. <\/p>\n
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Ms Yvonne Lim (second row, right) travelled to Beijing in May and learnt about the importance of strong mathematical foundations and long-term research planning.<\/p>\n
PHOTO: COURTESY OF YVONNE LIM<\/p>\n
Said Ms Lim: \u201cIt was a powerful reminder that with great innovation comes a deep responsibility to anticipate and mitigate potential misuse of AI\u2026 It reinforced my belief that a successful career in AI requires not only technical skill but also a strong commitment to ethical principles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prof An said the programme\u2019s international immersion trips and masterclasses provide scholars with invaluable exposure to global AI research and industry practices. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey get to learn from leading experts, experience cutting-edge technologies first-hand and engage with diverse perspectives. This broadens their understanding beyond the classroom, fosters cross-cultural collaboration, and equips them with the skills and mindset needed to lead in an increasingly interconnected AI landscape,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Farsat said that he applied for the scholarship because of the opportunities it offers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are offered something truly unique that no other programme offers \u2013 world-class mentors, specialised modules taught by renowned faculty… and resources to pursue research we are passionate about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, the most exciting part is the research journey. We are encouraged to think outside the box\u2026 and I hope to contribute AI-driven solutions to address real-world challenges in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Mr Mohamed Farsat Ansari said he applied for the scholarship because of the opportunities it offers.<\/p>\n
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF FARSAT ANSARI<\/p>\n
The first batch of participants from the 2024 intake will begin their individual Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus component in the coming months, mentored by NTU professors. <\/p>\n
Apart from undergraduate programmes, NTU is launching four new master\u2019s degree programmes in 2026 focused on AI in medicine, digital humanities, enterprise AI and Chinese medicine.<\/p>\n
NTU\u2019s deputy president and provost Christian Wolfrum said that as AI becomes increasingly embedded in healthcare, business and society, it is vital to prepare professionals who can harness these tools responsibly and effectively. <\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond technical know-how, graduates must understand the ethical, cultural and clinical dimensions of AI so they can apply it in ways that truly benefit patients, enterprises and communities,\u201d said Prof Wolfrum.<\/p>\n
Other local universities have also <\/p>\n introduced more AI-related course offerings<\/p>\n <\/a>, ranging from degree programmes to integrating AI modules in existing courses.<\/p>\n