DigiPen (Singapore) is excited to announce a joint research and development undertaking continuing our long tradition of simulation engine development. For this R&D project, DigiPen (Singapore) is partnering with SIT to co-develop the virtual campus platform. In the initial plan, our objective is to develop solutions for teaching and learning. Eventually, the platform can be used to develop the SIT Virtual Campus, a digital twin of the new SIT Punggol Campus.
DigiPen (Singapore), together with SIT, will develop the custom engine that will become the core for various future applications within the virtual campus. This engine will be customized from an existing commercial engine, and DigiPen (Singapore) will develop the virtual course scenario engine that will allow instructors to create immersive teaching experiences more easily. By applying the scenario engine, instructors will be able to use different pre-built assets and resources to create virtual course labs and lectures to enhance the learning experience.
The SIT Virtual Campus R&D project is expected to undergo several phases of testing and development. Two use cases have been identified as major milestones for the project to demonstrate the engine’s usability and potential for future developments.
The first use case will demonstrate the engine’s ability to create an in-house learning application. Currently, all SIT students must complete digital competency micro-modules as part of their curriculum. These online modules are taught asynchronously using SIT’s learning management system. However, the current micro-modules lack interaction. The R&D project thus aims to make the modules more engaging and interactive.
The team plans to start with the Managing Digital Identity, Footprint & Cybersecurity Threats micro-module by designing and developing a virtual escape room that students will have to solve. The virtual escape room game will comprise puzzles related to cybersecurity themes, such as authentication, malware, privacy, safe browsing, and more. The puzzles will be designed carefully so that each one is a learning experience.
There are multiple benefits to incorporating the micro-module within the virtual campus. Firstly, students will be able to attempt the exercises multiple times, anytime they want. Secondly, the interactive elements and immersive environment help to reinforce learning outcomes for better knowledge retention. Finally, data collected in the SIT Virtual Campus will also make it easier for instructors to analyze student performance — such as how long it takes to clear a particular room — and thus tweak and improve the modules for future cohorts.
The second use case aims to demonstrate the engine’s ability to integrate external applications into the virtual campus. This will be tested out during the lab sessions in the existing Computer Networking and Network Security module that is currently offered by SIT. SIT effectively leverages the Cisco Packet Tracer simulation tool to enable their students enrolled in Cisco Networking Academy courses to practice networking, IoT, and cybersecurity skills. With an innovative vision for the future, SIT is excitedly exploring the integration of Cisco Packet Tracer into their 3D Virtual Campus, to create a more immersive and interactive learning environment. This will enable students to practice setting up the physical network racks and troubleshoot physical-related scenarios in a simulated environment. Hosting the software within the SIT Virtual Campus also helps to alleviate logistical issues like limited hardware or lab scheduling conflicts.
“DigiPen (Singapore) has been honing our expertise in custom engine development for the last 35 years, and we are honored to partner with SIT on this virtual campus R&D project,” says Prasanna Ghali, provost, DigiPen (Singapore). “We’re excited to explore real-world, practical applications of immersive technologies, and we look forward to working closely with our friends at SIT.”
“SIT, the forefront of applied learning and applied research in Singapore, sets to elevate its applied learning to new heights by leveraging the metaverse, which is now within reach thanks to recent technological developments,” says Dr. Budianto Tandianus, Senior Professional Officer, Center for Digital Enablement, SIT. “We envision that the virtual campus will offer a unique and an enhanced learning experience. This is an ambitious project, but we are excited to collaborate with our longstanding overseas university partner, DigiPen (Singapore), which is well known for developing talents in the gaming industry. Their expertise will undoubtedly be pivotal in the success of this transformative project.”
Pioneering computer science education since 1988, DigiPen has been preparing students for the future. Our flagship program in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation, was initially created to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in 3D graphics and simulations, particularly in the entertainment and video games industries. Since its inception, we’ve continued to hone our expertise in custom engine development and computer graphics, thanks to our industry-focused and project-based pedagogy. Such engines can now be used in a wide range of industries. To date, DigiPen (Singapore) is the only university in Singapore that offers degree programs specializing in custom engine development and simulation.
First things first: What is a simulation engine? In computer science lingo, engines refer to the software frameworks or platforms primarily designed to optimize many distinct but integrated software systems and activities — from graphics and audio to logic and artificial intelligence simultaneously. Engines integrate these activities according to the software’s requirements to provide the desired outcomes. Examples of simulation engines are commercial game engines such as Unity or Unreal, which are used to power video games and other digital media.
At DigiPen (Singapore), all computer science students work on software engineering projects every trimester. These projects usually involve students making video games together with their peers from our art and design programs. They also help students better understand the intersection of computer science, physics, and mathematical fields in relation to real-time simulations, graphics, user-interface design, and digital art.
The Institute also emphasizes low-level programming through the teaching and deployment of industry-standard programming languages such as C/C++. Programming languages are often categorized as either “low-level” or “high-level,” descriptions that refer to whether a programming language is more machine-oriented (low-level) or more user-oriented (high-level). Because low-level languages such as C/C++ can communicate with hardware more efficiently, simulation engines built using low-level languages are likewise better optimized for faster and more efficient runtime performance.
Low-level languages are also popular for achieving the high performance required for many simulations. These languages, such as C and C++, provide software engineers with more control over machine resources like memory, allowing for even better customization and performance optimization during development. By learning C/C++, students gain a strong foundation in computer science principles. This understanding of how computer language abstractions filter down to the lowest-level ideas empowers them to become creators — and not just users — of technology.
Some of the compulsory modules that our computer science students undertake include an Introduction to Real-Time Rendering, Programming Massively Parallel Processors, Introduction to Virtual Reality, and Spatial Data Structures. Having domain knowledge in these specialized areas gives our students and graduates an edge when it comes to custom engine development. These modules allow students to design immersive interactive simulations for various applications, including video games, data visualization, AR/VR projects, and computer graphics. Furthermore, students gain an in-depth understanding of how to optimize software programming based on the system’s CPU and GPU architecture.