SINGAPORE: In a move set to transform aerospace and artificial intelligence education in the region, Wall PIE Pte Ltd, a pioneering Singaporean company specializing in space and AI education, has signed a historic 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Singapore Polytechnic (SP). This landmark collaboration aims to expand and deepen the Spacecraft Engineering elective program within SP’s Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering (DARE) and Diploma in Aerospace Electronics (DASE) courses, marking a new era of talent development for Singapore’s burgeoning space industry.
The announcement arrives at a time when Southeast Asia’s space ecosystem is gaining unprecedented momentum, and is further spotlighted by the remarkable achievements of 11-year-old prodigy Elizabeth Ng, a graduate of Wall PIE’s Space Juniors Program. Elizabeth has recently been awarded a full scholarship to Elon Musk’s prestigious Space School and is now collaborating with Russia’s Roscosmos on launching an AI-powered optical satellite-an extraordinary milestone for youth-led innovation in aerospace.
The 10-year MOU between Wall PIE and Singapore Polytechnic formalizes a multi-faceted partnership designed to nurture a new generation of aerospace engineers and AI specialists. Since the pilot phase launched in 2024, demand for the Spacecraft Engineering electives has soared, prompting both organizations to scale up the program significantly.
Key elements of the collaboration include:
- Curriculum Integration: Development and delivery of specialized Space Engineering modules embedded within SP’s DARE and DASE diploma programs, offering students hands-on exposure to spacecraft systems, AI integration, and orbital mechanics.
- Industry Attachments: Structured internships and industry placements at Wall PIE and partner facilities, providing practical experience and mentorship opportunities.
- Capstone Project Collaboration: Co-supervision of final-year projects focusing on cutting-edge topics such as satellite prototyping, AI payload development, and Earth observation technologies.
- Applied Research & Development: Joint R&D initiatives aimed at advancing satellite technology, including AI payload integration and low-latency communication systems.
- Continuing Education & Training (CET): Specialized programs for adult learners and educators to upskill in space technology and AI applications.
- Scholarships and Innovation Grants: Financial support to encourage aspiring engineers and technologists to pursue careers in aerospace.
- Workshops and Seminars: Regular events featuring global space experts, hands-on demonstrations, and career talks to inspire and inform students.
- Faculty Exchange Programs: Opportunities for academic staff to collaborate directly on Wall PIE’s projects, enriching teaching with real-world insights.
Jesslyn Wong, Founder and CEO of Wall PIE, underscored the strategic importance of this alliance, “The age of AI and Space Tech is here. ASEAN’s young leaders must be bold and competent to remain relevant in the global race. Through our collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic, we’re investing in the future minds who will not only operate but lead space missions. This is our mission-to democratize access to the stars.”
The partnership’s impact is perhaps best exemplified by Elizabeth Ng Ziqi, whose meteoric rise in the global space arena is inspiring a generation. At just 11 years old, Elizabeth became the first Singaporean student accepted into Elon Musk’s elite Space School, securing a full scholarship in recognition of her advanced work in AI and aerospace systems.
Currently, Elizabeth is collaborating with Roscosmos on an ambitious project to launch an AI-powered optical Earth observation satellite. This satellite will feature a custom-designed large language model (LLM) chip capable of onboard real-time image processing and autonomous data interpretation-significantly reducing communication delays and enabling smarter, faster decision-making in orbit.
This groundbreaking AI payload, co-developed by Wall PIE and Tabernacle Health Group, represents a fusion of edge computing, space optics, and deep learning technologies. Elizabeth’s pioneering work follows her 2024 achievement when her AI-generated song was broadcast from the International Space Station, a historic first for Singapore’s creative and technological communities.
Central to Wall PIE’s educational and research initiatives is the BaoBao LLM, a proprietary lightweight AI model designed specifically for space applications. Unlike conventional cloud-dependent AI systems, BaoBao runs locally on an SDRAM card embedded in nanosatellites, enabling in-situ image recognition and anomaly detection without constant ground station communication.
This innovation is a game-changer for satellite operations, reducing latency and enhancing autonomy in low-earth orbit (LEO) missions. Wall PIE plans to integrate BaoBao into student-led satellite projects, providing hands-on experience in AI payload development, integration, and testing-an invaluable opportunity for Singaporean undergraduates to engage directly with real-world space missions.
Wall PIE is a Singapore-based aerospace and AI education company dedicated to democratizing access to space technology. Through award-winning programs such as the Space Juniors Program, AI Payload Labs, and Orbital Engineering Studio, Wall PIE equips youth and young professionals with the skills to design, prototype, and launch actual space missions. The company collaborates with local institutions, global space agencies, and private sector innovators, bridging the gap between academic learning and cosmic exploration.
Founded in 1954 as Singapore’s first polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic is a leader in applied learning and innovation. With over 30 full-time diploma courses and a comprehensive Continuing Education & Training portfolio, SP emphasizes industry collaboration and future-ready skills development. The institution nurtures versatile professionals poised to contribute to diverse sectors, including aerospace and advanced technology.
The Wall PIE–Singapore Polytechnic partnership represents a visionary leap forward in Singapore’s space education landscape. By combining cutting-edge curriculum development, industry collaboration, and youth empowerment, the initiative is poised to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of aerospace talent capable of competing on the global stage.
With trailblazers like Elizabeth Ng breaking barriers and inspiring peers, Singapore is not just participating in the space race-it is shaping its own trajectory among the stars. As the decade unfolds, this collaboration promises to unlock new frontiers in space exploration, AI innovation, and educational excellence, heralding a bright future for Singapore and the ASEAN region’s space ambitions.
