Eaton, an intelligent power management company, and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen technical education in emerging power infrastructure technologies, including 800-volt direct current (800VDC) systems. The partnership aims to equip future engineering talent with the skills needed for evolving data center and power infrastructure demands.
The MoU was formalised at the 800V Direct Current Data Centres Symposium 2026, organised by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore Polytechnic and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC). The symposium brought together industry stakeholders to examine the next generation of power systems required for AI-ready data centers.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing is fundamentally changing how data centers are powered. Rack power densities that once measured in the single-digit kilowatts have already surpassed 100 kilowatts, with next-generation AI systems projected to approach or exceed one megawatt per rack.
At these levels, conventional low-voltage power distribution is reaching its physical limits. The industry is therefore shifting toward 800VDC architectures that deliver higher power with lower current, reduced copper use and fewer conversion losses. Major technology companies are aligning their roadmaps around this transition, creating strong demand for engineers who can design, operate and maintain the power infrastructure supporting the next generation of data centers.
Under the MoU, Eaton and Singapore Polytechnic will collaborate on curriculum development, seminars, workshops and hands-on projects. Eaton will contribute industry expertise and technical knowledge of emerging power systems, while SP will provide the academic environment and resources needed to integrate these technologies into teaching and learning.
The partnership will also expand industry exposure for SP staff and students through industrial attachments, internships and other jointly agreed activities. By linking classroom learning with real-world industry practice, the collaboration seeks to build the technical capabilities that the data center and electrical infrastructure sectors increasingly require.
Jimmy Yam, Vice-President and General Manager, Electrical Sector, East Asia at Eaton, said, “The power architecture behind AI data centers is being redesigned in real time, and the talent to run it has to be built in parallel. Our partnership with Singapore Polytechnic brings emerging technologies like 800VDC into the classroom early, so the next generation of engineers enters the field ready to build the infrastructure the industry is still defining.”
Toh Ser Khoon, Senior Director, Engineering Cluster at Singapore Polytechnic, said, “Our goal is to ensure students graduate with skills that keep pace with industry needs. Working closely with partners like Eaton gives our teaching teams valuable insights into the technologies shaping the field, while helping our students understand how emerging power systems are being applied in data centers and critical infrastructure.”
By introducing industry expertise and emerging technologies into the academic environment, Eaton and SP aim to give students and educators a stronger foundation in the practical skills demanded by the data center and electrical infrastructure sectors. The collaboration supports Singapore’s broader efforts to develop future-ready engineering talent that can drive the growth of digital infrastructure and electrification technologies.
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Eaton is an intelligent power management company focused on protecting the environment and improving quality of life. The company serves data center, utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. Guided by a commitment to operate sustainably and help customers manage power effectively, Eaton addresses global challenges in electrification and digitalisation. Founded in 1911, the company reported revenues of $27.4 billion in 2025 and serves customers in 180 countries. Eaton has nearly 19,000 employees and 34 manufacturing facilities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Singapore Polytechnic, established in 1954, is Singapore’s first polytechnic. It currently enrols more than 12,800 students across 10 schools in 30 full-time diploma courses and four common entry programmes spanning engineering, business, computing, health sciences, media and design, and maritime studies. As a regional leader in the global CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) movement, SP embeds real-world problem-solving across its disciplines. Through its Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy, the polytechnic also offers more than 500 industry-aligned courses for professionals seeking to upskill or reskill. SP’s alumni network exceeds 246,000 graduates.
The MoU marks a practical step in aligning technical education with the fast-evolving requirements of AI-driven data centers and next-generation power systems, helping ensure that Singapore’s engineering talent remains prepared for the infrastructure challenges ahead.
