Singapore, October 24, 2017 – Singaporeans can soon expect more integrated smart solutions for the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and Samsung Electronics Singapore (Samsung) earlier today. These solutions include e-wallets, wearable technology, digitalised front-of-house services and integrated point-of sale systems. Witnessed by Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive Officer, SkillsFuture Singapore, the partnership sealed their intent to accelerate F&B digitalisation and enhance dining experiences on three fronts: manpower development, technology integration and innovative solutions.

Multiple avenues have been established to achieve a smarter F&B industry, including a Hackathon to develop new solutions for the F&B industry. Launched earlier today, the Hackathon will be led by NYP's Asian Culinary Institute (ACI). The ACI is a specialist centre for professionals in the culinary industry to pursue quality continuing education and training.

The Hackathon will run from today to July 2018. NYP students across various disciplines, industry professionals and developers will come together to develop potential new technologies and innovations that impact the industry. These innovations can help Singapore achieve her target for half of all F&B outlets to adopt digital solutions by 2020, in line with the Smart Nation initiative. Samsung will help bring these innovative ideas to life through the use of their devices, mobile, wearable and Knox solutions as well as technical expertise.

This hackathon will also mark Samsung's first introduction of its Samsung Knox tech certification programme for NYP students, which will hone their technical skills and accelerate their growth, giving them an edge over the competition within the industry.

"Our partnership with NYP is an important milestone which brings us closer towards the realisation of a Smart Nation," said Mr. Lee Jui Siang, President, Samsung Electronics Singapore. "We hope that we will be able to successfully develop solutions and innovations to help digitise the F&B industry and transform its operations, evolving the way things are done and inspiring the stakeholders during the process."

Samsung will also equip NYP's teaching restaurant and café, L'Rez and L'Café, so that these become test-bed for new technology, including solutions developed during the Hackathon. This would also ensure that NYP students are well-prepared for the digital workplace and learn to adapt technologies for specific business requirements.

Ms Jeanne Liew, Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Nanyang Polytechnic, said: "Working with a global technology leader like Samsung will give our students an opportunity to work on real-life issues and come up with innovative solutions. With this edge, they are well-poised to help transform the industry and work towards our vision of a Smart Nation."

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

About Nanyang Polytechnic

Established in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) is a premier institution of higher learning that offers quality education in Engineering, Information Technology, Design, Interactive & Digital Media, Chemical & Life Sciences, Business Management and Health Sciences. It offers 44 full-time diploma courses and a suite of post-diploma and customised courses for continuing education.

The Polytechnic's industry-relevant and real world-based training equips students to become employment-ready upon graduation. It aims to nurture students into innovative and enterprising individuals, capable of succeeding in any path they choose to take, be it a career or in further studies.

Nanyang Polytechnic is also the proud recipient of the prestigious Singapore Quality Award, the Innovation Excellence Award and the People Excellence Award. This makes NYP the first education institution in Singapore to receive these three top organisational and business excellence awards.