The positive response to the SkillsFuture work-study degree programmes indicates a shift in the longstanding tilt towards hallowed qualifications with an academic bent obtained via the traditional route. It's a plus because the paper chase of the past is out of place in the larger world beyond an institution's walls - one which demands up-to-date skills that can make a difference to organisations coping with profound changes.

Thus, today's undergraduates, whatever their age, must jettison old attitudes and take different approaches to their learning journey. Under the SkillsFuture scheme, they can interweave work and study. This will allow them to remain anchored to real-world concerns and to also advance their theoretical understanding in the pursuit of high-order skills sought at workplaces.