the 'O'rdeal is over! - Singapore Polytechnic
the 'O'rdeal is over! - Singapore Polytechnic
the 'O'rdeal is over! - Singapore Polytechnic
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The 'O's are finally <strong>over</strong>!*phew* Have youdecided which route totake yet?Get tips, advice and insiderexperience about poly and JC fromBig Bro Jerry and Big S<strong>is</strong>ta Sha atPolyorjc.sg today!
EDITORIAL 01Contents1 Editorial2 Why SP?Students on why <strong>the</strong>y chose SP4 Personality quizUnsure of which diploma to take inpoly? Take th<strong>is</strong> quiz and you’ll find out8 Career 101THE Expert FUTURE advice on IS choosing YOURS! a career¥ Personality quiz: which course10 Scholars l<strong>is</strong>tsuits you?Meet our graduates and be inspired¥ Tips for a sound career plan¥ Why SP?14 RechargeThe hottest spots in SP revealed16 Let's go clubbingCheck out some of our CCAs18 The ApprenticeAwesome places our students wentto for <strong>the</strong>ir internships20 The world <strong>is</strong> yours!Some of <strong>the</strong> interesting <strong>over</strong>seas tripsthat our students have been to22 Uniquely SPSome reasons why SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly24 SP xperienceSee if you can spot yourself in ourround-up of th<strong>is</strong> year’s events inphotos and win!Dear reader,It s that time of <strong>the</strong> year, where your future <strong>is</strong> laid out infront of you, and <strong>the</strong> choices you make could ei<strong>the</strong>r makeor break you. O Levels <strong>is</strong> finally <strong>over</strong> and you suddenlyrealize that you have so much time on your hands that youdon t know what to do! Why not read SPotlight from c<strong>over</strong>to c<strong>over</strong>?Our reporters will give you insights on why SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> choicepoly for 15,000 students. SP does not only prepare you tobe work-ready, its courses and vibrant campus life will alsoequip you to be world-ready and life-ready. Be sure to alsotake our zany personality quiz (pages 4 - 7) to see whichcourse best fits you!We ve also laid down some helpful tips on d<strong>is</strong>c<strong>over</strong>ing yourcareer options (pages 8 - 9) which eventually will influenceyou to sign up for that diploma course of your choice.You ll want to get <strong>the</strong> inside scoop on our reporters favouritehangouts in SP (pages 14 - 15), perfect for chilling out withfriends and friends-to-be! Lastly, do read on to d<strong>is</strong>c<strong>over</strong> ourinternship benefits (pages 18 - 19) and <strong>over</strong>seas exchangeprogrammes (pages 20 - 21), exclusive to SP!Just remember guys, th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> only <strong>the</strong> beginning of your life.There are many more adventures to come after your OLevels. Best of luck with your results and be sure to makefull use of <strong>the</strong>se few months break!Sean FirozDiploma in Media and CommunicationAssumption Engl<strong>is</strong>h School alumnus
02 WORK-READYWhySP?Shamus LeeWe hitcampus andask studentswhy <strong>the</strong>ychose SP.Chr<strong>is</strong>t Church Secondary alumnusSchool of Chemical & Life Sciences“I chose SP because its curriculum prepares me for fur<strong>the</strong>rstudies and work. For example, inspired by <strong>the</strong> liberal artseducation model, SP <strong>is</strong> introducing <strong>the</strong> General Educationprogramme to impart general knowledge and developintellectual capacities. We will also learn to apply designthinking to create user-centric solutions – a skill useful atwork and in life.”Chua Han Tong DominicNorthbrooks Sec alumnusSchool of Electrical and Electronic Engineering“I chose SP as its engineering courses are <strong>the</strong> best andmost recogn<strong>is</strong>ed among <strong>the</strong> polys. I like SP’s gym, stadiumand swimming pool.”Logesh Kr<strong>is</strong>hnanY<strong>is</strong>hun Town alumnusSchool of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences“SP was my first choice as <strong>the</strong> Media &Communication course not only offers mediastudies but also business modules, which makesit a well rounded curriculum. Be prepared forpoly life. It <strong>is</strong> not all about textbooks. It <strong>is</strong>about <strong>the</strong> experience, social<strong>is</strong>ing and handsonlearning.”Char<strong>is</strong>sa Gabriella ChandraTemasek Sec alumnusSP Design School“Choose a course which you know you’ll be interestedin. It helps if you have a rough idea of what you wantto do in <strong>the</strong> future.”
Ezbel TayMethod<strong>is</strong>t Girls' School alumnusSP Business School“SP <strong>is</strong> accessible. We have an MRTstation right at our doorstep!Banking & Finance <strong>is</strong> a naturalchoice for me. My dec<strong>is</strong>ion wasfur<strong>the</strong>r reinforced after v<strong>is</strong>itingSP during <strong>the</strong> Open House, whereI talked to lecturers about <strong>the</strong>course.”WORK-READY 03Sangeetha AsokanChua Chu Kang Sec alumnusSchool of Chemical and Life Sciences“I didn’t just l<strong>is</strong>ten to what o<strong>the</strong>rs had tosay about <strong>the</strong> courses and schools. I didmy reflection and evaluated my strengthsand interests instead of following blindly.Initially, I faced some difficulties adjustingto poly life but I soon got used to it.”Wee KellynSerangoon Sec alumnusSchool of Digital Media and Infocomm Technology“In poly, you have to be very independent andforce yourself to work hard as you will not bespoon-fed.”Amanda YeoSiglap Sec alumnusSchool of Architecture and <strong>the</strong> Built Environment“When you choose a course, make sure youhave <strong>the</strong> interest to sustain you for threeyears.”Oo Jian Xing PattersonBoon Lay Sec alumnus<strong>Singapore</strong> Maritime Academy“Here’s my 3-D motto: Dare, Dream,Deliver. I know what I want and I wantto excel in <strong>the</strong>m. SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> only polythat offers Nautical Studies, a fieldwhich I’m passionate about. Also,prepare for <strong>the</strong> unexpected in poly!”Sim Fawwaz Sim HashimPunggol Sec alumnusSchool of Mechanical and AeronauticalEngineering“I chose SP as it has a goodreputation and also because it’s <strong>the</strong>first poly in <strong>Singapore</strong>. “
04 WORK-READYStill unsure which route totake in poly? Take th<strong>is</strong> quirkyquiz which may help pointyou in <strong>the</strong> right direction…Your school bag <strong>is</strong> aa) Tote.b) Sling bag (that droops all <strong>the</strong> way to your butt).c) Bag with a laptop compartment.d) Waterproof bag.e) Backpack splashed with colours.f) Simple haversack. Nothing fancy.g) Crumpler.h) Sturdy haversack.When you’re bored on <strong>the</strong> MRT,a) You begin to sketch <strong>the</strong> fella who s digging h<strong>is</strong> nose.b) Admire <strong>the</strong> greenery and landscape outside.c) You do some w<strong>is</strong>h-l<strong>is</strong>t budgeting.d) You w<strong>is</strong>h you were travelling in a speed boat instead.e) Blog.f) You think of ways to improve your image: trying out a new facial wash, perfumeg) You curse yourself for forgetting your guitar.h) You think of ways to make <strong>the</strong> MRT move even faster.Your fashion sense <strong>is</strong>a) Quirky. You dare to wear leopard prints with lime green.b) Loose-fitting clo<strong>the</strong>s so you can move around with ease.c) Mostly smart casual — you like to be presentable.d) Can I continue wearing school uniforms in poly?e) You re ahead of <strong>the</strong> trend. Whatever apparel that appears on magazine c<strong>over</strong>sappears on you.f) Mostly white.g) Anything that looks good without <strong>over</strong>-dressing.h) Functional. Who needs bags when your pants has sufficient pockets?
WORK-READY 05Which character<strong>is</strong>tics best describe you?a) Bold and fun, creative and imaginative.b) Logical, orderly, art<strong>is</strong>tic and aware of your surroundings.c) Enterpr<strong>is</strong>ing, opportun<strong>is</strong>tic and r<strong>is</strong>k-taking.d) Rugged: You love <strong>the</strong> sea. Punctual. And you love coordinating work.e) Spontaneous, social chatty, entertaining story teller.f) Experimental, observant, pers<strong>is</strong>tent, determined.g) IT savvy, creative, internet addict, techie and loves working with computers.h) Innovative, resourceful, analytical, meticulous and systematic.In school, you enjoya) Art and PE but definitely not Science!b) Physics and maybe Geography.c) Principles of Accounts and Engl<strong>is</strong>h.d) Geography and maybe Science.e) Language, Literature and your Drama and Dance CCA.f) Chem<strong>is</strong>try, Biology, Food and Nutrition.g) Computer related subjects and your Media Club CCA.h) Maths and Design and Technology.You would enjoy watchinga) CGI films with loads of effects. And Project Runway.b) No preference, except that you hate apocalyptic films (you can t stand seeing buildingscrumble).c) The Apprentice.d) Pirates of <strong>the</strong> Caribbean and Masters of <strong>the</strong> Sea. Okay, maybe not <strong>the</strong> latter.e) From top-rate movies and drama serials to reality programmes and documentary.f) D<strong>is</strong>c<strong>over</strong>y Channel.g) The Matrix. And you hope it s real.h) Artificial Intelligence, Terminator, I, Robot.Friends often say th<strong>is</strong> to youa) You ll die in a 9-to-5 job.b) Can you stop playing your stupid rubix cube please?c) When you are a rich boss, don t forget us, hor!d) So you re joining <strong>the</strong> Navy ah?e) How do you spell th<strong>is</strong> word?f) Can you teach me Science?g) Help! My computer s infected with a virus!h) Can you not complicate things? Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> just a simple gadget.You think <strong>Singapore</strong> can do with morea) Venues (like Youth Park) for youngsters to express <strong>the</strong>ir art.b) Aes<strong>the</strong>tically pleasing buildings —but don t forget <strong>the</strong> greenery.c) Entrepreneurs. There s a market for everything!d) Water sports facilities.e) Grammatically correct posters, please!f) Young scient<strong>is</strong>ts.g) Free wi-fi hotspots.h) Recycle bins, solar panels, wind turbines — let s save <strong>the</strong> environment!
08 WORK-READYWorried aboutyour futurecareer plans?Let our expert adv<strong>is</strong>e youon how you can startexploring your options.Career101What career path will best suit your capabilities andinterests? How should you go about choosing yourpoly course to suit your future career plan? Dec<strong>is</strong>ions,dec<strong>is</strong>ions and more dec<strong>is</strong>ions!We can totally understand your situation. After all,choosing a poly course <strong>is</strong> a huge step which mayultimately affect <strong>the</strong> kind of job you’d end up enjoying,or suffering from. We spoke to Mr Lee Ee Tat,SP’s Student Counsellor, for h<strong>is</strong> opinions.
WORK-READY 09Try For Size?Nobody said that choosing your career would be assimple as trying on a pair of sneakers, but Mr Lee offerssome websites where you can start your research:www.ecareers.sgTh<strong>is</strong> website has tools that allow you to profile your careerorientation, l<strong>is</strong>ting occupations that match vocationalabilities, interests and work values.http://app.careercompass.gov.sg/front/home.aspxTh<strong>is</strong> website provides loads of useful information on<strong>the</strong> job market in <strong>Singapore</strong>, job attachments and alsolinks up to various job search sites. There are also careerassessment tools that you can use.Main CourseAfter deciding on your career choice, <strong>the</strong> nextstep <strong>is</strong> to choose your course w<strong>is</strong>ely. Here aretips on how to get started:1. Consider <strong>the</strong> match between careerorientation and <strong>the</strong> course of your choice.2. Research <strong>the</strong> course syllabus.3. Take note of <strong>the</strong> course Cut-Off-Points.4. Consider if <strong>the</strong> learning environment <strong>is</strong>suitable for you.If you are worried that your aggregate does notallow you to enrol in your course of choice, <strong>the</strong>nyou may want to explore o<strong>the</strong>r relevant coursesand polys.The F Word… Flexibility!If you have no clue on what job to take on in future, don t worry.There s still time. There <strong>is</strong> greater flexibility nowadays for diplomagraduates entering <strong>the</strong> job market. Many are doing jobs that <strong>the</strong>ylike but unrelated to <strong>the</strong>ir course of study, continues Mr Lee.He adds, The broad-base or multi-d<strong>is</strong>ciplinary poly education systemwe have today prepares our students with skills to work in a widevariety of industries and handle different kinds of jobs.V<strong>is</strong>iting <strong>the</strong> various poly Open Houses may alsobe useful, so that you can ask <strong>the</strong> lecturersrelevant questions in case you’re still unsure.What You Should ConsiderIt s not just about attending all of your lectures religiously. Planning for your futureshould start from <strong>the</strong> day you are enrolled.You should bear in mind:¥ For those who want to enter university , work towards building a personalportfolio, with a GPA score of 3.4 or higher each semester.¥ Obtaining good grades for your industrial attachment will increase your chancesof landing a good job.¥ For those aiming towards a prestigious university or scholarship, do work onacquiring critical soft skills, which include presentation and communicationskills. And of course, you should also excel in both your studies and CCA.¥ For SP students, consult <strong>the</strong> guidance of your personal tutor.¥ Approach <strong>the</strong> student counsellors at poly, or read university brochures andcollege reference guides.So whatever route you choose, remember to take <strong>the</strong> time to plan it well, andproceed with passion, happiness and success. The future <strong>is</strong> yours, so good luck!
10 LIFE-READYScholarsOurSP graduates are making waves all across <strong>Singapore</strong> – and for all<strong>the</strong> right reasons. We get behind <strong>the</strong> scene and track <strong>the</strong>irachievements, as well as take a peek at <strong>the</strong>ir ambitions. Be warned,you will be wildly inspired!Desmond ThiamWho: Doctor “All Rounder” aka DesmondThiamH<strong>is</strong> SP Choice: Diploma in Biomedical ScienceH<strong>is</strong> Claim to Fame: At <strong>the</strong> Min<strong>is</strong>try of EducationSpecial Award Ceremony, our illustrious grad was<strong>the</strong> only poly student to win <strong>the</strong> inaugural Lee HsienLoong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement.If that s not impressive enough, he also managed tobag <strong>the</strong> Lee Kuan Yew award at h<strong>is</strong> graduation ceremonyand got a much coveted spot in NUS Yong Loo Lin Schoolof Medicine.Who: Public Service Star aka Joy TanHer SP Choice: Diploma in Business Admin<strong>is</strong>trationHer Claim to Fame: Th<strong>is</strong> all-rounded student wasawarded <strong>the</strong> prestigious PSC Scholarship.Joy TanBookworm, you say? Well, you may want to think twicebefore associating Joy with that term. On top of beinga Changi Youth Ambassador (for v<strong>is</strong>itors in <strong>the</strong> transitlounge of Changi Airport), th<strong>is</strong> energizer bunny also hadno qualms about going all out and participating in activitiessuch as <strong>the</strong> APEC Voices of <strong>the</strong> Future as well as <strong>the</strong> 13thMalaysia-<strong>Singapore</strong> Youth Camp by <strong>the</strong> National YouthCouncil.The PSC <strong>Singapore</strong> G<strong>over</strong>nment Scholarship (Open) givesher <strong>the</strong> flexibility of keeping her career options open,which <strong>is</strong> perfect since she has yet to decide on her desiredrole in public service.
LIFE-READY 11Who: High Flyer aka KingsleyBoey Qi YiH<strong>is</strong> SP Choice: Diploma in BusinessInformation TechnologyH<strong>is</strong> Claim to Fame: Now, here s one pilotthat you d want steering your plane! Aftertopping h<strong>is</strong> course and receiving a gold medalin 2007, Kingsley went on to graduate withflying colours and land <strong>the</strong> <strong>Singapore</strong> ArmedForces Merit Scholarship.Today, he <strong>is</strong> a pilot at <strong>the</strong> Republic of <strong>Singapore</strong>Air Force, and will pursue h<strong>is</strong> Computer Sciencestudies at University College London.Kingsley BoeyWho: High Achiever aka Perminder KaurRandhawaHer SP Choice: Diploma in Biomedical SciencePerminder Kaur RandhawaHer Claim to Fame: Since graduating from SP, Perminderhas received a number of accolades, including <strong>the</strong> LeeKuan Yew Gold Medal Award. She went into <strong>the</strong> h<strong>is</strong>torybooks as <strong>the</strong> first recipient of <strong>the</strong> prestigious NanyangPresident s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS) at NIE. The NPGS<strong>is</strong> a competitive scholarship scheme to encourageoutstanding graduates or final-year students to take <strong>the</strong>irfirst step towards a career in research by studying for adoctoral degree programme at NTU.
12 LIFE-READYHong Pei XiangYee Zheng KangWho: Defenders of Our Nation akaBoon Le Tang, Yee Zheng Kang,Lee Wei Jian and Hong Pei XiangTheir SP Choices: Diploma in Electrical andElectronic Engineering, Diploma in AerospaceElectronics, Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering.Lee Wei JianTheir Claim to Fame: Stuttering geeks <strong>the</strong>se are not, as our DefenceScience and Technology Agency scholars were assessed based on both<strong>the</strong>ir academic, as well as co-curricular achievements. They even had topass a series of interviews.Who: The IT Whizzes akaAndre Ng, Jai K<strong>is</strong>han, TaiKhang Wei, and Gary AngTheir SP Choices: Diploma inInfocomm Security Management,Diploma in Business InformationTechnology, Diploma inInformation Technology.Their Claim to Fame: We reliving in <strong>the</strong> age of InformationTechnology, and <strong>the</strong>se recipientsof <strong>the</strong> National Infocommscholarships are just <strong>the</strong> onesto help us deal with it!With <strong>the</strong>se very lucrativescholarships, our keyboard totingscholars will be able to fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>ir studies, as wellas work with leading infocomm companies.Andre Ng, Jai K<strong>is</strong>han, Tai Khang Wei, and Gary AngIndeed, both Andre and Khang Wei are undergoing <strong>the</strong> SMU-CMU Fast Track Master s Programme,and Khang Wei will be joining Barclays Capital after completing h<strong>is</strong> studies. The driven youngman has already set h<strong>is</strong> sights on <strong>the</strong> project manager seat. Talk about well-motivated!
Who: Mr Engineer aka Ng Wei Han Timothy JeffersonLIFE-READY 13H<strong>is</strong> SP Choice: Diploma in Aeronautical EngineeringH<strong>is</strong> Claim to Fame: An aircraft enthusiast ever since he could remember,<strong>the</strong> young Timothy used to go to Changi Beach with h<strong>is</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r justto watch <strong>the</strong> planes take off. Naturally, he was more thanpleased to be accepted into <strong>the</strong> CN Yang Scholar sProgramme at <strong>the</strong> NTU!Designed for exceptional science and engineeringstudents, <strong>the</strong> programme <strong>is</strong> specially tailored toallow students to pursue independent research underexpert superv<strong>is</strong>ion.That s definitely something he <strong>is</strong> looking forward to,with big plans in life. Says Timothy, I want to pursuea career in research, particularly in <strong>the</strong> fields of defence,as I feel it <strong>is</strong> both meaningful and exciting, being ableto work with <strong>the</strong> latest weapons and technologies,Ng Wei Han Timothy Jefferson withSP Principal, Tan Hang CheongWho: Mr “Ravin’ Over Robotics” aka Kuriakin ZengH<strong>is</strong> SP Choice: Diploma in Electronics, Computer and CommunicationEngineeringH<strong>is</strong> Claim to Fame: Th<strong>is</strong> never say die scholar took two tries to getinto SP. The Indonesian born Kuriakin was — get th<strong>is</strong>, <strong>the</strong> first studentin <strong>the</strong> h<strong>is</strong>tory of SP to score d<strong>is</strong>tinctions for all h<strong>is</strong> modules!Not impressed yet? Well, our ambitious young man s final-year projectclinched <strong>the</strong> Best ARICC (Advanced Robotics and Intelligent ControlCentre) Project and Didactic Enterpr<strong>is</strong>e Award.On top of that, he was also part of <strong>the</strong> SP team at RoboCup 2008.In case you didn t know, th<strong>is</strong> event has been billed as <strong>the</strong> Olympicsof <strong>the</strong> robotics world.Kuriakin ZengAmongst Kuriakin s titles are Student Leader and Adv<strong>is</strong>or ofOverseas Community Service Projects in <strong>the</strong> Philippines, Chairmanof <strong>the</strong> Mangrove Planting Club, student mentor in SP, and studentleader for <strong>the</strong> International Student Welfare Unit. (Whew!)As for what s next, Kuriakin <strong>is</strong> now on a full scholarship pursuing a degree inliberal arts in <strong>the</strong> prestigious Harvard University in America.Says <strong>the</strong> bright young man who took part-time jobs to pay off h<strong>is</strong> student loan,I come from a place where <strong>the</strong>re are not a lot of opportunities. When I camehere and saw all <strong>the</strong> things I could do, I didn t waste any time.
14 LIFE-READYRechaaaaIn SP, we believe in restingand relaxing, just so we canrecharge and go <strong>the</strong> extramile. Here are some placeswe love hanging out at.Foodcourt 5We especially love th<strong>is</strong>foodcourt to bits because it sso cool - it s air conditionedand boasts of chic, funkyinterior design. Oh, and didwe mention th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> a foodiehaven with outlets like KFC,Subway and Starbucks?Skate Park andDrifters CourtThe skate park anddrifters court <strong>is</strong> a firstfor SP - and anylearning institution forthat matter. Situatedright in front of <strong>the</strong>McDonald s outlet atT16 and in <strong>the</strong> openview of <strong>the</strong> passingMRT trains, <strong>the</strong> skatepark and drifters courtare set to up SP scoolness rating. Wesimply love it!MoberlyTh<strong>is</strong> colonial building <strong>is</strong> a one-stoprecreational facility. It has a cafe, jammingand karaoke rooms, dance studio, computergaming room, Wii stations, pool tables,massage chairs and a huge TV screen andcomfy sofas. No wonder Moberly <strong>is</strong> virtuallypacked at all times of <strong>the</strong> day! You can alsotune in to SP’s campus radio, SPACE Radiohere.
aaaaarge!LIFE-READY 15Colours@SPM<strong>is</strong>sed your favourite movie on <strong>the</strong> bigscreen? Well, here s where you canborrow <strong>the</strong> latest movies to watch withyour buds! There s also a games roomwhere you can play board games to fillup your time in between classes. Ifyou re thirsty, hop <strong>over</strong> to <strong>the</strong> HotShotCafe for hot chocolate or ice-blendeddrinks at affordable prices.Hilltop HavenIf you need air-con, comfy chairs and a hugespace for homework, project d<strong>is</strong>cussions orto simply chill out with your friends, HilltopHaven <strong>is</strong> where you should go. What s more<strong>the</strong> Polar High Street Cafe <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong>re too, incase you get hungry or thirsty.Swimming poolTake a plunge into one of <strong>the</strong> cleanest swimming pools in<strong>Singapore</strong>! The pool uses non-chlorinated water, so you won treek of chlorine after a cool workout. And what better wayto rest and relax than spending a day in <strong>the</strong> sun and water?McCafe @ T16We love <strong>the</strong> location as it s just a stone s throwaway from <strong>the</strong> MRT. Perfect spot to grab-and-goyour meals before and after lessons. Once <strong>the</strong>skate park <strong>is</strong> up and running, it ll be a perfect spotto people watch too.
16 LIFE-READYLet’s goDee JaysAs <strong>the</strong> lives of any party, <strong>the</strong>funky SP Dee Jays are just<strong>the</strong> ones to get <strong>the</strong> crowdhyped at SP events. They vealso spun at places like CafeDel Mar, Zouk and recently,Silk Club.With about 140 student clubs and sportsteams in SP, you’re totally spoilt for choice.Check out what some of <strong>the</strong>se “fun hubs” haveto offer!Dancesport ClubTake <strong>the</strong> dance floor by stormwith Dancesports, acompetitive club special<strong>is</strong>ingin Latin ballroom dance. Ontop of performing for bothpublic and school eventsregularly, <strong>the</strong> club alsoparticipates in o<strong>the</strong>r local and<strong>over</strong>seas competitions.Food Conno<strong>is</strong>seur ClubFood, glorious food! These foodfanatics scour <strong>Singapore</strong> in searchof yummy eats to review, be it localdelights like Hokkien Mee andchicken rice, or intercontinentaltreats such as Ayam Penyet andGyoza. The club also holds foodand cooking workshops, alongwith tea appreciation events. Areyou drooling yet?Archery ClubFriendship? Funcompetition? Bulls eye!Challenge your staminaand strength, as well asde-stress with th<strong>is</strong>accuracy driven sport.Wakeboarding ClubDon t underestimate th<strong>is</strong> smallbut well-bonded club, whichmakes waves through <strong>the</strong>irregular training and clubevents. Recently, membersclinched two medals from <strong>the</strong>Inter-Varsity <strong>Polytechnic</strong>competition.
LIFE-READY 17clubbing!Wing ChunThe working principle of WingChun <strong>is</strong> attack and defenceat <strong>the</strong> same time, using <strong>the</strong>shortest time to knock downopponents. Wing Chun clubmembers were invited to doa demo at <strong>the</strong> The legend <strong>is</strong>born- Ip man movie gala,thrilling <strong>the</strong> crowd with <strong>the</strong>irsimple yet slick moves.Ultimate Fr<strong>is</strong>beeUltimate Fr<strong>is</strong>bee <strong>is</strong> anintense sport whereyou’ll see people literallyflying to save a d<strong>is</strong>c fromone scoring zone toano<strong>the</strong>r.Make-up Art<strong>is</strong>te ClubD<strong>is</strong>c<strong>over</strong> <strong>the</strong> flattering artof makeup in th<strong>is</strong> club.They ve done make-up forfashion runaways and<strong>the</strong>atre productions, andgiven that winning touchupto celebrities such as<strong>Singapore</strong> Idol contestants.Cheerleading ClubThese spunky cheerleaders haveperformed at various platformslike <strong>the</strong> Freshmen OrientationParty, SP Open House, and alsoNDP 2008. Th<strong>is</strong> year, Gustoemerged 2 nd˚runner up for Senior shigh div<strong>is</strong>ion at <strong>Singapore</strong> s1 st˚National CheerleadingChampionship.
18 WORLD-READYKen Chin andKiat KengKen: “Besides learning newtechnologies and working withresearchers, I was alsoimmersed in German culture.It was a great life experience.”Going Places:Techn<strong>is</strong>che Universitat Munchen (TUM), GermanyDoing Big Things:These two lucky Diploma in Electrical and ElectronicEngineering dudes spent a month in Germany on industrialattachment.There, <strong>the</strong>y worked with PhD students and senior scient<strong>is</strong>tsin <strong>the</strong> labs and learnt to operate soph<strong>is</strong>ticated equipment,whilst gaining valuable experience.Ken and Kiat Keng managed to travel to neighbouring Austriato take in <strong>the</strong> sights and sounds during <strong>the</strong>ir free time.TheApprenticeNo, it s not about getting fired, Donald Trump-style. Let shear it from SP students who share how <strong>the</strong>y ve enjoyedand gained from <strong>the</strong>ir internships.Vicki LauGoing Places:University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, USADoing Big Things:Vicki Lau was among nine SP students selectedfor <strong>the</strong> prestigious attachment programme inCalifornia, USA, under <strong>the</strong> NUS-MDA <strong>Singapore</strong>Hollywood Attachment Programme. As <strong>the</strong> firstbatch of poly students selected for th<strong>is</strong> programme,<strong>the</strong>y interned at <strong>the</strong> renowned UCLAs School ofTheater, Film and Telev<strong>is</strong>ion where <strong>the</strong>y receivedtraining in pre-production and post-productionv<strong>is</strong>ual<strong>is</strong>ation. They worked with a team ofprofessionals creating non-linear, location-basedcontent for mobile devices.Vicki: “My internship was like living a bigHollywood production! Everything beganfrom mere pen and paper planning to <strong>the</strong>actual execution on scouted location setsand finally, <strong>the</strong> fin<strong>is</strong>hing touches done inpost-production. Most importantly, I learnthow to diversify and broaden <strong>the</strong> capabilitiesof my skill to suit <strong>the</strong> requirements of eachof <strong>the</strong> three different productions shot forth<strong>is</strong> mobile project.”
WORLD-READY 19Going Places: OCBC Bank, Shanghai, ChinaDoing Big Things: Th<strong>is</strong> former Banking and Finance studentgot a taste of <strong>the</strong> exciting rat race during h<strong>is</strong> six-week<strong>over</strong>seas internship at Overseas Chinese BankingCorporation (OCBC) in Shanghai, China.Tan Jun HaoJun Hao was attached to <strong>the</strong> operations departmentat OCBC where he ass<strong>is</strong>ted in testing out new bankingprojects before <strong>the</strong>y were introduced to <strong>the</strong> market.For someone aspiring to join <strong>the</strong> banking industry afteruniversity, it was obviously <strong>the</strong> perfect opportunity!Jun Hao: “Over <strong>the</strong> weekends, we took short get-aways to places likeSuzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing, Hangzhou or o<strong>the</strong>r parts of Shanghai. Navigation<strong>is</strong> easy. All you need <strong>is</strong> a map, some cash and a bottle of courage.After a few weeks, we were so map-savvy that <strong>the</strong> locals startedasking us for directions!”Going Places: Harvard Medical School, Harvard University,Massachusetts, USADoing Big Things: These Diploma in Biomedical Science students didresearch in stem cell technology at Harvard Medical School. Theyacquired valuable lab skills working with experienced post-doctoralstudents. It was also in th<strong>is</strong> environment <strong>the</strong>y learnt that goodscience aimed at increasing knowledge or for <strong>the</strong> betterment ofmankind <strong>is</strong> always welcome. The students impressed <strong>the</strong>ir superv<strong>is</strong>orsso much that Harvard has requested for more SP students for <strong>the</strong>irinternship programme. Coincidentally, th<strong>is</strong> Harvard stint has opened<strong>the</strong> doors for o<strong>the</strong>r School of Chemical and Life Sciences studentsto do <strong>the</strong>ir internships at Yale and Imperial College.Jaslyn Ng andDaniel PohJaslyn: “I really enjoyed <strong>the</strong> friendliness of <strong>the</strong> people in <strong>the</strong>States. Everyone <strong>is</strong> really friendly and it made me feel sowelcome. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, I wasn’t treated like an intern at <strong>the</strong>laboratory, but as a fellow colleague instead.”
20 WORLD-READYTheWorld<strong>is</strong> Yours!Your passport to an exciting world of experiences <strong>is</strong> right hereat SP. Take a peek at <strong>the</strong> various <strong>over</strong>seas trips and communityservice programmes that our students have enjoyed.Leadership Training Camp at Telunas Beach, IndonesiaA jungle expedition, sleeping in hammocks and jumping from<strong>the</strong> jetty toge<strong>the</strong>r. Need we say more?The <strong>Singapore</strong> <strong>Polytechnic</strong> Outstanding Talent (SPOT) studentshad to undergo th<strong>is</strong> foundational leadership programme toimprove <strong>the</strong>ir leadership and communication skills. Cheers aboundas <strong>the</strong>y helped each o<strong>the</strong>r through <strong>the</strong> various obstacles. (Think:Climbing rocky slopes and cliffs)At <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> big adventure, our SPOT students learnt to betrue leaders and supporters, something not taught in textbooks.Students In Free Enterpr<strong>is</strong>e (SIFE) programme atTelok Mata Ikan, Batam, IndonesiaTh<strong>is</strong> 10-day learning experience saw <strong>the</strong> studentsworking towards improving a coastal village s standardof living.SIFE <strong>is</strong> a global non-profit organ<strong>is</strong>ation that enablesyouths to create a more sustainable world throughbusiness programmes. Our students began <strong>the</strong> MataIkan 360 project which allowed <strong>the</strong>m to apply designthinking concepts to solve <strong>the</strong> village’s economic andenvironmental problems.The solution? Working hard at building f<strong>is</strong>h cages toallow <strong>the</strong> villagers to rear and sell f<strong>is</strong>hes, as well asportable water filters. It sure was no mean feat!
WORLD-READY 21Youth Expedition “Project Hy Vong” in Ho Chi MinhCity, VietnamSP students became Engl<strong>is</strong>h teachers to Vietnamese studentsandhad a blast!With <strong>the</strong> noble aim of teaching Engl<strong>is</strong>h to more than 100Vietnamese primary school kids, our students did it <strong>the</strong> funway. By fun, we mean workshops filled with games, songsand role-playing activities to help <strong>the</strong> kids speak Engl<strong>is</strong>hconfidently.At <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> project, <strong>the</strong> eager children were able toperform in <strong>the</strong> Engl<strong>is</strong>h for Everyone Festival by Mercy Relief,whilst <strong>the</strong> students felt a great sense of fulfilment.The Gift of Sight 2010 Community Service Projectin Luang Prabang, LaosYou just can t go wrong with providing eye screeningservices and spectacles for more than 3,800 locals!Th<strong>is</strong> project was brought to life by SP’s Diploma inOptometry students, who saw how <strong>the</strong>ir donation (of<strong>over</strong> 4000 pairs of recycled spectacles) made a differenceto <strong>the</strong> lives of o<strong>the</strong>rs.These students were treated to an appreciation dinnerand cultural performances by <strong>the</strong> Laotians. They evengot to meet and interact with <strong>Singapore</strong> s Ambassadorto Laos, Mr Benjamin Jeyaraj William.Overseas Study Trip to Oshima, JapanEight <strong>Singapore</strong> Maritime Academy students and <strong>the</strong>ir lecturer,Capt K Nirmal Raj, flew to <strong>the</strong> Oshima Nautical College ofMaritime Technology in Japan, and bunked in Oshima Maru,an actual training vessel, throughout th<strong>is</strong> amazing adventure.Our students had <strong>the</strong> privilege of getting familiar<strong>is</strong>ed withvarious state-of—<strong>the</strong>- art Japanese machinery and <strong>the</strong> latestsimulation systems.To fully immerse <strong>the</strong>mselves in <strong>the</strong> whole experience, ourstudents even went on excursions to a shipyard, a shrine andHiroshima s war museum. All in all, it was a sea-riffic experience!Get an insider s peek into <strong>the</strong> entire trip from <strong>the</strong> studentsblog: www.sma-oshima.blogspot.com (Make sure you watch<strong>the</strong>ir quirky video!)
22 WORK-READYUniquelySPNineSchool of Architecture and <strong>the</strong> BuiltEnvironmentDid you know… SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ set up <strong>the</strong> Civil Defence Lionhearters Club, <strong>the</strong> firstclub of its kind in a tertiary institution with <strong>Singapore</strong>Civil Defence Force.¥ jointly build <strong>the</strong> tremorlator with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Singapore</strong> CivilDefence Force, to stimulate an earthquake scenario.amazing academic schools, a dedicatedbunch of experienced lecturers andpassionate students to boot. Here are someof <strong>the</strong> firsts that SP <strong>is</strong> famed for.SP Business SchoolDid you know...SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ offer a professional Diploma in Accountancy, internshipto D<strong>is</strong>neyworld USA and a dealing room as part of <strong>the</strong>school s facilities for students to train.¥ launch an entrepreneurship programme where studentscan invest <strong>the</strong>ir own money, run and operate <strong>the</strong>irown business.School of Chemical and LifeSciencesDid you know… SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ offer <strong>the</strong> Diploma in Optometry. SP s Optometry Centre<strong>is</strong> open to <strong>the</strong> public for optometry services, allowingstudents to gain relevant experience to examinepatients, diagnose and manage common eye problems.¥ create Romancing <strong>Singapore</strong>. The perfume and o<strong>the</strong>rstudent creations from th<strong>is</strong> school (such as LemonsiDelight and Pokka Elderflower Tea) are commerciallyavailable.
WORK-READY 23School of Communication, Artsand Social SciencesDid you know… SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ introduce <strong>the</strong> Diploma in Applied Drama andPsychology, a first in Asia, and <strong>the</strong> Diploma inCreative Writing for TV and New Media.¥ produce <strong>the</strong> weekly oktoLIVE! TV programme onokto channel, which was so well received that ourMedia and Communication students went on toproduce <strong>the</strong> show s second season.School of Digital Media andInfocomm TechnologyDid you know… SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ offer <strong>the</strong> Diploma in Music and Audio Technology¥ sign an agreement with Microsoft to offer aConsole Game Development module usingMicrosoft s XNA Game Studio to develop gamesfor Xbox 360.¥ have interns accepted under <strong>the</strong> NUS-MDASHAPE programme.School of Mechanical andAeronautical EngineeringDid you know… SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ offer <strong>the</strong> Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering.School of Electrical and ElectronicEngineeringDid you know…?¥ Diploma in Electronics, Computer &Communication graduate, Kuriakin Zeng <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong>first SP student to score d<strong>is</strong>tinctions in all h<strong>is</strong>modules. He <strong>is</strong> also <strong>the</strong> first SP grad to beaccepted into Harvard College, part of HarvardUniversity s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, undera full scholarship.<strong>Singapore</strong> Maritime AcademyDid you know… SP <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> first poly to:¥ offer maritime studies in <strong>Singapore</strong>.SP Design SchoolDid you know…?¥ Two Diploma in Creative Media Design (now knownas V<strong>is</strong>ual Communication and Media Design)students Lim Shi en Chessa and Lio Shilei won 3rdplace in <strong>the</strong> Digital Media Category in MicrosoftImagine Cup 2010, held in Warsaw, Poland th<strong>is</strong>year. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> second time <strong>the</strong>y re representing<strong>Singapore</strong> at th<strong>is</strong> prestigious event. They won <strong>the</strong>2nd prize at Microsoft Imagine Cup 2009 in Cairo,Egypt last year.
24 SPSPXPERIENCEXperienceSP welcome throngs of v<strong>is</strong>iting secondary school students everyyear, and we won’t be surpr<strong>is</strong>ed if you are one of <strong>the</strong>m! If you canspot yourself in one of <strong>the</strong>se photos, write to fullstop@sp.edu.sgwith SPotlight 2010 as your subject. Include your full name, NRICand a photo of yourself in <strong>the</strong> email to win movie tickets!Escapade 2010Fresh from <strong>the</strong>ir O Level exams, hundreds of studentsga<strong>the</strong>red in SP for <strong>the</strong> experience of <strong>the</strong>ir lives! Groupedinto monster families, <strong>the</strong> students went on an <strong>over</strong>nightadventure and participated in a variety of activities to getto know SP better. They were treated to an awesomed<strong>is</strong>play of acts by SP students and even got on a hippo busride! Although tired from <strong>the</strong> midnight gig madness, <strong>the</strong>students used what was left of <strong>the</strong>ir energy to rock outduring <strong>the</strong> sunr<strong>is</strong>e surpr<strong>is</strong>e. The students left for home <strong>the</strong>next morning filled with a bagful of memories and an armyof new friends.
SP XPERIENCE 25Global Citizen ChallengeStudents dived into different culturesand traditions by engaging ininteractive games and winningattractive prizes. Games such as Areyou global enough taughtparticipants something not found intextbooks. The challenge also createdawareness about environmental <strong>is</strong>sues,as well as <strong>the</strong> need to build asustainable future.E-Lantern Design CompetitionFormed in 2005 with <strong>the</strong> aim of arousing <strong>the</strong> engineeringinterests in secondary school students, th<strong>is</strong> uniquely SPcompetition merges <strong>the</strong> aes<strong>the</strong>tic aspects of design wi<strong>the</strong>ngineering.Util<strong>is</strong>ing LED lights that can be found in day-to-dayobjects such as traffic lights and Chr<strong>is</strong>tmas trees, studentswere tasked to design and build <strong>the</strong>ir dream lanterns<strong>over</strong> a month using basic circuitry. Their entries werejudged based on creativity, innovation, aes<strong>the</strong>tics, formand <strong>the</strong> materials used.With 32 entries from 14 secondary schools, <strong>the</strong> winnerswere a group of nature loving students who designed<strong>the</strong>ir dream forest, coined <strong>the</strong> Forest Wh<strong>is</strong>per.
26 SP XPERIENCENational Junior Solar SprintSmall solar cars were creativelydesigned and assembled bysecondary school students.Participants cleverly used <strong>the</strong>principles of ma<strong>the</strong>matics andscience in th<strong>is</strong> fun, hands-oneducational activity.National Software CompetitionNow into its 26th year, <strong>the</strong> National SoftwareCompetition <strong>is</strong> an annual premier IT competitionorgan<strong>is</strong>ed for secondary and JC students in<strong>Singapore</strong>. The competition seeks to unc<strong>over</strong><strong>the</strong> next top infocomm talent in <strong>Singapore</strong>.
SP XPERIENCE 27Toy Design CompetitionTh<strong>is</strong> competition saw students design educationaltoys using sustainable materials suitable forchildren aged between 5 and 8. By working inteams, <strong>the</strong>y learnt to streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>ir problemsolving, drawing and presentation, timemanagement and social skills.YES Reloaded 2010The one-day programme was speciallydesigned to provoke creative thinking,an enterpr<strong>is</strong>ing spirit and socialconsciousness. Participants learnt aboutentrepreneurship and <strong>the</strong> impact ofbusiness on society in a fun, interactiveand inspiring manner.
SPotlightReadershipSurveyLike our magazine?Are our articles helpful to you?We want to hear your views!Log on www.fullstop.sp.edu.sg/spotlightsurveyTake part in <strong>the</strong> survey by31 December 2010 andstand a chance to win movie tickets!
Play <strong>the</strong> mosthappenin’ game of2011 and stand to wina coveted iPad!Check out what <strong>the</strong>game <strong>is</strong> all about atThe SP XperienceFacebook page now!(www.facebook.com/TheSPXperience)
Dancing <strong>is</strong> my life. I am as passionateabout dancing as I am in my studies.They move in tune to <strong>the</strong> rhythm of <strong>the</strong>music and <strong>the</strong> pace of my studies. I cansee my interest in dancing being pursuedin <strong>the</strong> near future.I have taken part in competitions bothsolo and group categories, baggingprizes along <strong>the</strong> way. Being in <strong>the</strong>spotlight makes me feel purposeful andI feel <strong>the</strong> strong need to continue doingwhat I love.