History
The College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS) is Nanyang Technological University, Singapore’s 6th and newest academic college.
The College’s roots began in the 1980s as a humble ‘computer maintenance engineering’ subject.
In 1988, NTU, then known as Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI), set up the School of Applied Science (SAS) and introduced Singapore’s very first computer engineering degree programme – ‘Computer Technology’ the following year.
In 1994, the programme’s title was changed to ‘Computer Engineering’ and in 1999, the B.A.Sc. programme was established as a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree.
In year 2000, SAS was renamed as School of Computer Engineering (SCE). In 2004, a new four-year degree programme B.Eng in Computer Science was launched.
In 2016, the school was re-branded as School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE) to accurately reflect its diverse and niche strengths.
In 2018, the flagship interdisciplinary Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) was launched, as a joint programme with the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS).
In May 2024, the College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS) was formed by combining SCSE with other related disciplines in NTU.
This strategic initiative comes at an exciting time, as computing, data science and artificial intelligence (AI) reshape our world. Among the new academic offerings are the Bachelor of Computing in AI and Society, the Turing AI Scholars Programme, and a Minor in AI for all NTU undergraduates, and more in the pipeline to uplift the digital capabilities of NTU graduates and the broader workforce. These initiatives are in line with Singapore’s refreshed national AI strategy to triple the AI talent pool, develop a trusted AI ecosystem, and use AI to drive innovation and economic growth.
Standing tall as a College, CCDS is recognised worldwide as a premier research institution with top universities, multinational corporations and R&D institutions as its research collaborators and funding partners.
Today, we are ranked 2nd for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 2nd for Computer Science by U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, 2024; 8th for Data Science and AI, and 9th for Computer Science and Information Systems by QS World University Rankings, 2024. Our flagship MSAI degree is recognised as world’s “Top 6 master’s degree programmes” by Techopedia, 2024; and DSAI is listed as “Top 10 Best AI and Data Science Undergraduate Courses” by Forbes, 2021.
TIMELINE
1988
School of Applied Science (SAS) was set up introducing Singapore’s very first computer engineering degree programme.
1991 & 1992
Respectively, two additional disciplines were incorporated within SAS – Materials Engineering and Information Studies.
1994
The main programme title was changed as Computer Engineering.
1999
The B.A.Sc. Computer Engineering and Materials Engineering programmes were established as four-year Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) programmes.
2000
SAS was renamed as School of Computer Engineering (SCE) and the division of materials engineering was elevated into a school (MSE).
2004
A new programme, B.Eng in Computer Science was launched.
2016
Re-branded as School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE).
2018
Marking the 30th anniversary, the flagship Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) degree programme was launched. Forbes listed DSAI as worlds’ Top 10 undergraduate courses in DS and AI in 2021.
2023
The Angela Goh Career Development Professorship was launched to commemorate the institution’s 35th year of establishment.
May 2024
The College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS) was established.
August 2024
CCDS launches 3 academic offerings - Bachelor of Computing in AI and Society, the Turing AI Scholars Programme (TAISP), and a Minor in AI for all NTU undergraduates.