A new breed of engineers with a wider range of skills such as creativity, interpersonal and collaborative aptitude, is needed to tackle changing global and local demands, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat.

"Increasingly, solving real life challenges calls for an inter-disciplinary approach. More innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines," Mr Heng said at the Institution of Engineers, Singapore's (IES) 47th annual dinner on Wednesday.

Some of these demands and challenges include climate change, global warming and the growing demand for clean energy, drinking water and air.

He added that Singapore will continue to place "strong emphasis" on science, technology, engineering and mathematics and students will be given a competitive edge in the international field by developing "innovative course programmes" which also allow for overseas collaborations.

The IES is also expected to launch four new chapters at the awards dinner.

They are in the fields of chemical and process engineering, environmental engineering, marine and offshore engineer and systems engineers. These chapters aim to raise the profile of engineers locally and internationally, among other things.