U Associate partner Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA) has kick-started its Landscape Architects Future (LA Future) initiative which aims to educate, provide networking opportunities, raise awareness of the profession and develop young landscape architects.
The initiative was officially launched by NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing at the 6th Student Design Awards held in conjunction with this year’s Archifest on 30 September 2016.
Addressing more than 100 participants at the event, SG Chan said: “You can be good landscape architects, which is necessary but not sufficient. That is why the Labour Movement welcomes you to the U Associate where you can leverage the expertise of other professional guilds.
“In today’s world, to stand out as a landscape architect, you need to know things beyond landscape architecture. You may perhaps need to know about the legal system and even cultural differences in other countries. And these will help you to excel not only just in Singapore but beyond.”
LA Future is helmed by student representatives from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, the National University of Singapore and practicing graduate landscape architects. The initiative will see them organise networking sessions, award presentations and social gatherings to reach out to the larger community.
As for professional development, landscape architects can get accredited through the Landscape Architects Accreditation Programme through SILA.
SILA-NTUC Masterclass Series
Landscape architects can also attend training courses to upskill. One such initiative is the SILA-NTUC Masterclass series which is organised by SILA, NTUC U Associate and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute).
These Masterclasses seek to complement existing professional development programmes to meet the profession’s needs.
Topics covered include biodiversity and conservation through landscape architecture design, building information modelling (BIM), application of disruptive geospatial technologies, and the Active, Public Utilities Board’s Beautiful and Clean Waters (ABC) Programme.
“We hope that through the partnership with U Associate, we can help strengthen their development and network opportunities not only within landscape architecture but also with the built environment industry,” said NTUC U Associate Director Vivek Kumar.
