5 Differences Learners Need to Know About Heicoders Academy and SMU AI Course

Heicoders Academy or SMU AI Course?

Choosing an AI course isn’t about finding the “best” one, it’s about finding the one that matches your goals, background, and lifestyle.

In Singapore, professionals have more choices than ever when it comes to learning about Generative AI. Two options stand out for those who want to get started quickly:

• SMU’s Generative AI: Applications, Prompt Engineering and the Power of ChatGPT — a one-day course offered by SMU Academy that provides a guided introduction to Generative AI, prompt engineering, and practical business use cases.
• Heicoders Academy’s Generative AI Course (GA100) — a six-lesson, WSQ-accredited programme that takes a more hands-on approach, equipping learners with practical workflows, automation, and projects they can apply immediately in the workplace.

Both courses have their merits. SMU offers a foundational introduction on Generative AI with a focus on ChatGPT and the convenience of a one-day deep dive. Heicoders, on the other hand, provides structured, flexible Generative AI training with a comprehensive syllabus that builds up to a portfolio of real-world AI projects.

So, how do you decide which one suits you best? Let’s explore five key differences to help you make an informed choice.

Overview of SMU’s Generative AI Course

The Generative AI: Applications, Prompt Engineering and the Power of ChatGPT course is part of SMU Academy’s professional and executive training portfolio.

• Duration & Format: 1 full day, in-person at SMU’s city campus.
• Key Topics Covered:
• Fundamentals of Generative AI and how it works.
• The power and limitations of ChatGPT.
• Techniques in prompt engineering to improve responses.
• Practical applications of ChatGPT in business scenarios.
• Ethical considerations when using Generative AI.
• Trainer: Kevin Chan, former Microsoft Chief Partner Officer, who brings real-world industry experience into the classroom.

This course is best described as an introductory but intensive immersion: it’s designed to give learners a working knowledge of ChatGPT in a short amount of time.

Overview of Heicoders’ Generative AI Course

Heicoders Academy’s Generative AI Course (GA100) is a WSQ-accredited programme designed for professionals who want to go beyond understanding AI and start building with it.

• Duration & Format: 6 lessons (part-time), offered in the evenings or weekends, available in-person or online.
• Key Topics Covered: 
• Basic-to-advanced prompt engineering techniques
• Automating workflows with AI agents like Manus AI
• Automation with n8n
• RAG for business data
• Integration & risk management
• Unique Outcome: Every learner graduates with a job-ready project portfolio in addition to a WSQ certificate.
• Trainers: Tech professionals from top companies such as Gojek, Shopee, Grab, Meta, and GovTech

This course is best described as practical and future-oriented: a longer-term investment that equips learners to apply AI in real work scenarios.

1. Course Format & Scheduling

SMU Approach

SMU’s course is delivered as a single full-day, in-person class. Learners commit to 9:00 am – 5:30 pm of focused instruction. This format is perfect for those who prefer immersive learning or can spare a full day away from work.

Best for: Professionals who want a quick but intensive introduction to Generative AI in a traditional classroom setting.

Heicoders Approach

Heicoders’ Generative AI course runs across three to six sessions, typically in the evenings, on weekends or full day classes. Learners can choose between in-person classes (for direct interaction) or live online sessions (for convenience). This flexibility allows participants to balance upskilling with their career and personal commitments.

Best for: Busy working professionals who prefer learning in smaller, structured chunks rather than cramming everything into a single day.

2. Curriculum Focus

Inside the SMU Course Curriculum

SMU’s curriculum is designed to provide a foundational introduction to Generative AI with a focus on ChatGPT. Learners explore:

• The basics of how Generative AI works.
• The potential of ChatGPT for research, productivity, and content generation.
• Prompt engineering techniques to improve ChatGPT outputs.
• Business case studies on applying Generative AI in real scenarios.
• Ethical risks and considerations.

This course offers a useful entry-level introduction, focusing mainly on ChatGPT and prompting. Learners walk away knowing how to use ChatGPT better.

Best for: Learners seeking a high-level overview of Generative AI concepts and prompt engineering in a short time frame.

Inside the Heicoders Course Curriculum

Heicoders’ Generative AI course is structured around practical, workplace-ready application. Over six lessons, learners progress from basics to advanced integration:

• Prompt Engineering: From fundamentals to advanced prompting techniques (chain-of-thought, tree-of-thought) across tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Claude, and Copilot.
• Workflows & AI Agents: Build end-to-end workflows and deploy AI agents (e.g., Manus AI) that act autonomously.
• Automation with n8n: Learn to integrate apps like Gmail, Google Sheets, and Slack into automated workflows.
• RAG for Business Data: Connect AI models to company data to create reliable chatbots, assistants, or internal tools.
• Integration & Risk Management: Use frameworks like Model Context Protocol (MCP) to safely link AI into business systems, while managing compliance and risk.
• Hands-on Projects: Each learner completes projects they can showcase in a portfolio.

In short: SMU builds a solid foundation in ChatGPT and prompting, while Heicoders covers that and takes you further into workflows, automation, and AI agents that solve real business problems.

Best for: Professionals who want to apply AI immediately to automate processes, enhance productivity, and solve workplace problems.

3. Instructor Profile

SMU Approach

SMU’s course is taught by Kevin Chan, former Microsoft Chief Partner Officer. His background brings credibility and strategic insight into how AI tools like ChatGPT are shaping industries.

Best for: Learners who want to hear directly from a senior leader with global tech experience.

Heicoders Approach

Heicoders’ trainers are not just active AI practitioners, they are tech professionals from top companies such as Gojek, Shopee, Grab, Meta, and GovTech. They use AI daily in high-impact environments, and they bring those experiences into the classroom.

Instead of purely academic delivery, they share how AI is being applied in real workplaces right now, from marketing automation to product development and data workflows. This ensures learners pick up not just the tools, but the mindsets and practices used by leading tech professionals.

Best for: Learners who want job-ready, cutting-edge insights taught by practitioners shaping the AI landscape in Singapore’s top firms.

4. Credential & Recognition

SMU Approach

Graduates receive a Digital Certificate of Completion from SMU Academy. While this provides recognition as part of SMU’s professional training arm, it is not the same as an SMU degree or diploma. The value lies in the structured short-course format, but it doesn’t carry the full weight of an academic credential from the university itself.

Best for: Professionals who want a short-course certificate linked to a recognised local institution.

Heicoders Approach

Graduates receive a WSQ-accredited certificate (recognised under Singapore’s national training framework) plus a portfolio of real-world projects. In hiring and promotion contexts, being able to show actual AI workflows and automation you’ve built often provides more immediate evidence of skill than a certificate alone.

Best for: Professionals who want both a government-recognised credential and a portfolio of tangible work.

5. Target Audience & Accessibility

SMU Approach

SMU’s one-day format is designed for professionals and business leaders who want a quick, accessible introduction to Generative AI without committing to a multi-week course. It’s especially suitable for those exploring AI for the first time or looking for a rapid upskilling session subsidised by SkillsFuture.

Best for: Managers, SME owners, and professionals who want to understand the basics of Generative AI in a single day.

Heicoders Approach

Heicoders positions itself as accessible to all professionals, including non-technical beginners. The part-time schedule and option of online or in-person attendance make it easy for learners to fit the course into their routine.

Best for: Busy professionals or career switchers who want to build practical skills step by step and apply AI directly to their current role.

A Quick Note on Funding & Subsidies

Both SMU and Heicoders’ courses are eligible for subsidies, making them highly accessible:

• SMU: SkillsFuture Credit, PSEA and SSG subsidies for individuals, and ETSS for SMEs.
• Heicoders: SkillsFuture Credit, SSG, PSEA and UTAP subsidies available, offering up to 70% reduction in upfront costs or more for eligible learners. Furthermore, EIS & SFEC subsidies are available for corporate clients.

The difference between Heicoders and SMU’s Generative AI course lies in the depth and scope. Heicoders spans multiple sessions, covers advanced workflows, automation, and RAG, and includes guided projects, ensuring learners walk away with both competency and a portfolio.

How the Two Courses Can Complement Each Other

These two programmes don’t have to be seen as competing. They can complement each other depending on your goals and how you prefer to learn.

• SMU offers a fast, one-day introduction to Generative AI and prompt engineering, ideal for those who want a quick overview from a university-branded course.
• Heicoders provides a comprehensive, beginner-to-mastery syllabus that not only covers fundamentals but also dives into advanced workflows, automation, and integration. Learners can start here from scratch or use it as the natural next step after a short course like SMU’s.

This way, learners get the best of both worlds: the academic credibility of SMU and the hands-on, progressive expertise of Heicoders.

Comparison Between SMU AI Course & Heicoders Academy’s at a Glance

Conclusion: Making Your Choice

The choice between SMU’s Generative AI: Applications, Prompt Engineering and the Power of ChatGPT and Heicoders Academy’s Generative AI course depends on your goals:

• Choose SMU if you want a one-day introduction led by a senior industry leader, backed by a university brand.
• Choose Heicoders if you want a flexible, WSQ-accredited programme that leaves you with a portfolio of practical AI projects.

For many learners, the journey doesn’t stop with one course. You might take SMU’s one-day class to get familiar with Generative AI, then move to Heicoders to build deeper, hands-on skills.

Whichever path you choose, one thing is certain: upskilling in Generative AI today is one of the smartest ways to future-proof your career.

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