INSIDE With SP, it's So Possible - Singapore Polytechnic

INSIDETHE NEW PAPER |27 DECEMBER 2011THE NEW PAPER |13 DECEMBER 2011THE NEW PAPER |20 DECEMBER 2011The future becomes brighterafter SP. Read the successstories of how recentgraduates rose to the top.PAGE 2 to 7Photo copyright: Singapore Press HoldingsAt SP, students are placedon an authentic learningjourney to prepare them forthe real world.PAGE 8 to 12Photo copyright: Singapore Press HoldingsSP alumni continue to shine– be it in further studies orthe pursuit of their passion.Read about their stellarachievementsPAGE 22 to 29Articles reproduced with permissionfrom Singapore Press Holdings.Follow SP onwww.facebook.com/singaporepolytechnicwww.twitter.com/singaporepolywww.youtube.com/singaporepolywww.sp.edu.sg500 Dover Road Singapore 139651Tel: 6772-1400 | Fax: 6772-1978SP offers 50 full-time diploma courses thatprepare students to be work-ready, life-ready andworld-ready.With SP, it’s So Possible

02 With SP, it’s So PossibleTHE NEW PAPER | 22 MAY 2012 THE STRAITS TIMES |16 MAY 2012“Jessica Lee joined SP from Tanjong Katong Girl’s School andgraduated from the Diploma in Accountancy (DAC) witha perfect GPA. She clinched the Low Guan Onn Gold Medaland is now pursuing a degree in Accountancy and Businessat NTU under the Nanyang Scholarship. A former SP Scholar,Jessica also served as the President of the DAC Chapter andTreasurer for Archery Club during her SP days. She felt thatthe numerous opportunities for holistic growth in SP haveenriched and shaped her into a well-rounded person.

With SP, it’s So Possible 03THE NEW PAPER | 27 FEBRUARY 2012LIANHE WANBAO | 16 MAY 2012Summary of Chinese articleAlan Yeo was a wayward kid and a dropout from secondary school. However,he was determined to correct his ways and joined SP after graduating from ITEwith a perfect score and the LKY Award. He repeated his perfect score at SPand clinched the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal. Alan is now pursuing an engineeringdegree at the National University of Singapore with a scholarship from theEnergy Market Authority.

04 With SP, it’s So PossibleTHE NEW PAPER | 13 JUNE 2012BERITA HARIAN | 14 MAY 2012Satu-satunyapelajar perempuanmuncul terbaikkursus kejuruteraanCENDERUNG BIDANG PRAKTIKAL: Nurzahidahmemilih bidang kejuruteraan kerana lebih sukakursus yang banyak “menggunakan tangan”.Beliau mendapat GPA sempurna 4, dan ditawarkanbiasiswa penuh SIT. – Foto M.O. SALLEHBELIAU ibarat mawar antaraduri.Dalam kelasnya seramai 20orang, Nurzahidah MohamedYusoff, adalah satu-satunya pelajarwanita.Namun, sepanjang tiga tahunpengajian di Politeknik Singapura,beliau membuktikan wanita jugaboleh menandingi lelaki dalambidang yang lazimnya dikuasai kaumAdam iaitu bidang kejuruteraan.Nurzahidah, 21 tahun, munculsebagai antara pelajar cemerlangPoliteknik Singapura dengan gredmata purata (GPA) 4 – mata terbaikyang boleh diperolehi pelajar.Ditemui Ekstra, pelajar DiplomaKejuruteraan Elektronik danElektrikal itu, yang menyertai SPdaripada Madrasah Wak Tanjoing,berkata beliau memang berminatdalam kursus yang “banyakmenggunakan tangan” atau ‘handson’.“Pada mulanya saya pilihkursus Teknologi Maklumat (IT).Namun, apabila saya dapati kursuskejuruteraan lebih banyak unsurhands on, saya terus menukarpilihan,” ujarnya, yang mengambilpengkhususan dalam kejuruteraanaerospace dan telekomunikasi.Menjelaskan kecenderungannyaitu, Nurzahidah, anak ketigadaripada lima beradik, berkatabeliau memang berminat dalammata pelajaran praktikal sepertimatematik dan sains sejak dibangku sekolah lagi.“Subjek kesusasteraan banyakunsur falsafah, teori dan sebagainya.Saya lebih suka sesuatu yang nyata,antara hitam dan putih, sepertimatematik dan sains,” tambahpenerima biasiswa SP itu.Namun, kejayaan Nurzahidahtidak datang bergolek. Beliauperlu menempuhi cabaran pentingsemasa menyertai SP.Dengan sekitaran yang berbezadengan madrasah, selain menjadisatu-satunya pelajar wanita, beliaumemerlukan sedikit masa untukmenyesuaikan diri.“Namun, alhamdulillah, berkatdoa keluarga dan juga temantemanyang mudah mesra di SP, bolehkatakan proses menyesuaikan diriitu agak pantas bagi saya,” katanya.Menjelang majlis penyampaiansijilnya pertengahan bulan ini,Nurzahidah telah pun ditawarkantempat dan biasiswa penuh daripadaInstitut Teknologi Singapura dalamkursus Kejuruteraan Elektrikal danTeknologi Infokom.Ditanya mengenai rancanganmasa depannya, Nurzahidahberkata walau beliau minat denganbidang kejuruteraan, namun beliautelah membuat keputusan untukmenjadi seorang guru selepas tamatpengajian nanti.Cita-citanya itu didorongoleh dua orang tuanya, yang jugamerupakan guru.Sejak sekian lama, beliaumemang berminat dalam kerja-kerjakemasyarakatan dan membantumereka yang memerlukan. DiSP, beliau adalah anggota KelabKhidmat Kebajikan.Lantas, menjadi seorang guruadalah sesuatu yang semula jadibaginya.“Sebagai seorang Muslim, sayarasa satu amanah untuk membantuorang yang memerlukan danmenyumbang tenaga saya ke arahkebaikan.“Menjadi seorang gurumemenuhi ciri-ciri ini,” ujarnya. –Oleh NAZRI HADI SAPARIN(mhadi@sph.com.sg)Summary of Malay articleNurzahidah Bte Mohd Yusoffis the top Malay engineeringstudent in 2012. The SP Scholargraduated from the Diplomain Electrical and ElectronicEngineering (DEEE) with aperfect GPA score of 4.0. Shejoined SP from Madrasah WakTanjong and has always beenkeen in subjects like maths andscience. She has secured a fullscholarship from the SingaporeInstitute of Technology and willbe pursuing a degree in ElectricalEngineering and InfocommTechnology, offered by theTechnical University of Munich.Throughout her three years atSP, Nurzahidah has proven thatwomen too can match men in anarea that is usually dominated bymen, that is, engineering.

With SP, it’s So Possible 05BERITA MINGGU | 9 SEPTEMBER 2012DARI PELAJAR LEKA...HANIM MOHD SALEHhanim@sph.com.sgHidup adalah satu perjuangan. Kegagalan bukan bererti berakhirnya satu perjuangan. Perinsip inilah yang harus jadi pengangan setiap insan. Dalamhalaman baru INSPIRASI ini, kami akan paparkan kisah-kisah perjuangan mereka yang tidak mengenal erti putus asa dalam mengejar cita-cita mereka.Kegagalan dalam peringkat awal persekolahan, misalnya, tidak membuat mereka berhenti daripada bekerja keras. Bahkan, sebaliknya, merekaterus berjuang melalui jalan yang lebih panjang dan berliku. Hubungi pengelola jika anda mengenali orang yang dapat dipaparkan sebagai inspirasimasyarakat kita.Muhd Asraf bangkit di ITE setelah gagal di aliran akademik dengan 22 sijilkepujian dan kecemerlangan, termasuk Anugerah Biasiswa Lee Kuan YewTHE STRAITS TIMES |18 JULY 2012MARKAH matematik anda tidak akan pernah bergerak.”Kata-kata tajam yang keluar dari mulut guru sekolahmenengahnya cukup menghiris perasaannya. Namun,Muhammad Asraf Mohd Amin berasa tidak berdayauntuk memperbaiki keadaan. Beliau hampir-hampir putus harap.Betapa tidak, bekas pelajar aliran Normal Akademik di SekolahMenengah Fuchun ini hanya mendapat sekitar 20 peratusmata saja untuk matematik dan kebanyakan subjek utama lainbagi kesemua ujian dan peperiksaan, kecuali Bahasa Melayu yangmenjadi kegemarannya yang mendapat lebih 60 peratus.Beliau mengakui sejak di sekolah rendah, beliau tidak pernahnaik pentas untuk menerima sebarang hadiah bagi sebarang pencapaian.Namun, siapa sangka, apabila kesedaran mula menerpa, Asraf,kini 19 tahun, mampu bangkit, memerah segenap potensiyang ada pada dirinya sehingga beliau mampu memperolehipelbagai pengiktirafan dengan mengumpul 22 sijil kepujian dankecemerlangan, termasuk Anugerah Biasiswa Lee Kuan Yew.Mengenang zaman di sekolah menengah, Asraf, yang kinipelajar tahun pertama Politeknik Singapura (SP), mengakui tidakpernah mengulang kaji pelajaran dan hanya “belek-belek bukusambil tonton TV” apabila menjelang peperiksaan.“Dalam kelas matematik, saya duduk di belakang kelas...cikgu mengajar, saya pula tidur atau buat kerja lain. Saya ingat...saya dah gone case. Tak boleh buat apa-apa lagi,” ujarnya dengansenyuman kesal. Beliau tidak menyifatkan dirinya nakal, tetapisekadar malas untuk memikirkan masa depan.Anak ketiga empat beradik ini tidak menyalahkan sesiapadalam hal ini, kecuali dirinya sendiri yang beliau akui “cukupmalas” untuk menelaah buku-buku sekolahnya. Bapanya, serangpemandu lori dan ibunya, suri rumah, tidak memaksa, tetapi seringmengingatkan betapa beliau akan kesal jika tamat sekolahtanpa sebarang pencapaian.Benar kata orang tuanya. Asraf berasa kepalanya sepertidihentak ke tembok apabila menerima keputusan peperiksaanSijil Am Pelajaran (GCE) peringkat ‘N’ yang tidak melayakkanbeliau meneruskan pelajaran ke menengah lima. Bahkan, kursuskursusyang ditawarkan kepadanya di Institut Pendidikan Teknikal(ITE) pun begitu terhad.“Saya malu dengan kawan-kawan sedarjah yang kebanyakannyadapat naik menengah lima. Saya malu sebab saya ingat, semuaorang dalam kelas saya sama saja... semua malas belajar...rupa-rupanya mereka berusaha juga, kecuali saya,” ujarnya.Biarpun fikirannya kosong dan tidak tahu apakah langkahyang perlu diambil seterusnya, Asraf mengikuti nasihat orang tuanyaagar meneruskan langkah ke ITE seperti kakaknya. Beliaumengikuti kursus Teknologi Fasilitas, kursus pilihan ketiganya.“Mungkin perasaan malu itu secara tidak langsung membakarsemangat saya untuk berubah sikap. Keluarga dan orangorangyang rapat dengan saya berkata, belum terlambat untuksaya merubah keadaan. Saya tak begitu sedar macam mana sayamula berusaha dan belajar bersungguh-sungguh sehingga sayamendapat keputusan baik peperiksaan penggal pertama denganGPA (Grade Point Average) empat mata.“Bila tengok markah itu, saya berkata dalam diri... kalau semesterpertama saya dah boleh melakukannya, tentu saya bolehbuat untuk penggal-penggal seterusnya,” ujarnya.Video mengenai seorang yang cacat anggota bernama NickVujicic yang masih mampu melakukan pelbagai pekerjaan danberjaya dalam pertandingan di sebalik keadaannya yang tidakmempunyai kaki dan tangan, juga membuat Asraf insaf.PENSYARAH BERI MOTIVASIAntara faktor yang menguatkan semangatnya untuk belajarialah motivasi daripada para pensyarahnya di ITE.“Para pensyarah saya menggalakkan saya agar turut aktifdalam kegiatan luar darjah kerana markah CCA (aktiviti kokurikular)juga penting yang boleh membantu mata peperiksaan keseluruhannya,”kata Asraf yang mengikuti kelas drama dan duakegiatan lain.Kalau di sekolah menengah dulu Asraf hanya menjadi pemerhatikawan-kawannya naik ke pentas untuk terima hadiah pencapaian,di ITE nama Asraf seperti hampir tidak ketinggalan diundangnaik ke pentas untuk menerima pelbagai sijil dan hadiahbagi kelakonannya yang cemerlang. Beliau menerima hadiahbaik dalam jurusan yang diikuti, mahu pun penglibatan dalamCCA – dengan sejumlah 22 sijil dikumpulnya dalam tempoh duatahun di ITE.Pada akhir penggal tahun kedua ITE, Asraf, dinamakan sebagaiPelajar Terbaik kohortnya dan menerima Pingat Emas SngYew Chong. Namanya juga tersenarai dalam Senarai Direktorbagi Tahun Akademik 2011 kerana pencapaian cemerlang akademik.Asraf juga mendapat beberapa pengiktirafan, termasukAnugerah Pelajar Cemerlang ITE-Rotary, Anugerah BiasiswaLee Kuan Yew, Hadiah Buku Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien,Anugerah Pencapaian Cemerlang AkademikLBKM dan Dana Amanah Pendidikan Mendaki. Asraf yang kiniberada dalam tahun pertama jurusan Kejuruteraan Mekanikal diSP berkata beliau bersyukur kerana mempunyai guru dan anggotakeluarga yang tidak berputus harap terhadapnya di sebaliksikapnya yang terlalu leka dulu.“Pelajar macam saya ini memang kena banyak dorongan, tetapipendekatannya tak boleh terlalu keras. Bila guru berbual-bualdengan saya seperti kawan yang percayakan potensi saya, sayajadi lebih bersemangat dan yakin,” tambah beliau.Jejaka tinggi lampai berwajah kacukan tetapi berbangsa Melayuini juga sempat berlakon di televisyen dalam drama Celup,siaran Suria baru-baru ini.“Berlakon untuk suka-suka, tetapi pelajaran saya tetap teruskan,”kata Asraf lagi.Beliau berazam untuk terus melangkah ke menara gading,merah ijazah Sarjana atau lebih tinggi dan berhasrat memilihkerjaya sebagai pensyarah di ITE.“Insya-Allah saya mahu berkhidmat di ITE kerana saya fahamapa yang dilalui para pelajar di sana. Kalau mereka dianggappelajar gagal dan malas, saya pun pernah melalui zaman itu, jaditentu lebih mudah saya mendekati mereka. Saya harap, pencapaiansaya akan merubah tanggapan masyarakat terhadap pelajarITE,” ujarnya.Kepada pelajar yang mungkin sedang melalui situasi yangsama seperti yang pernah dilalui Asraf di sekolah menengah, beliauada sedikit nasihat untuk disematkan di hati.“Keseronokan di sekolah hanya untuk beberapa tahun. Tetapi,tuntutan terhadap realiti kehidupan, kita kena tempuh sehinggaakhir hayat. Kalau perasaan malas melanda, fikirlah macammana kita nak beri makan keluarga kalau dah berumah tanggananti? Selagi masih bergelar pelajar, anda belum terlambat untukmelakukan perubahan,” katanya.Summary of Malay articleMuhammad Asraf Bin Mohd Amin was a slacker who did not do well in his ‘N’ level exams.However, he bucked up after joining ITE, graduating with perfect results and even clinchingthe LKY Award. Now he is a first-year student studying for the Diploma in MechanicalEngineering (DME). He hopes to do well and get a place in a university. He would also like toserve as a lecturer in ITE in future.Lee Chee Hoe is another shining exampleof an ITE graduate who made good.The former Diploma in Electricaland Electronic Engineering (DEEE)student graduated from SP with the TayEng Soon Gold Medal and proceededwith his degree at NTU under a RSAFscholarship.

06 With SP, it’s So PossibleLIANHE WANBAO | 17 MAY 2012“SONG SHANG QIAN did not get totaste fast food till he was 13 years old.Through his eating habits, he acquiredan interest in healthy living and took upthe Diploma in Nutrition, Health andWellness (DNHW). His passion spurredhim on to do well and he graduatedwith the Chua Chor Teck Gold Medal. Hewas awarded an overseas scholarshipto pursue a degree in dietetics fromthe Ministry of Health after his nationalservice.”Summary of Chinese articleBERITA HARIAN | 14 MAY 2012Semangat UtuhDorong JayaNadia perlu kerja sambilanunlak bantu ibu, tapi tetap munculpelajar cemerlangSHIN MIN DAILY NEWS |25 MAY 2012BAKAT KREATIF: Nadia meminati apa juga bentukpenulisan kreatif dan berharap dapat meneruskan pengajiandi Kings College dalam kursus Perfileman dan SasteraInggeris. - Foto M.O. SALEHSSummary of Malay article“Jadi sekarang saya sedang gigih mencari biasiswadan dermasiswa supaya saya boleh ke KingsCollege. Pelbagai cabaran saya hadapi sepanjanghidup saya, tapi nampaknya ini cabaran palingbesar. Memikirkannya sahaja buat saya sedih.”– Nadia Zaleha IzzaraEBAGAI seorang pelajar,karya penuntut PoliteknikSingapura (SP), NadiaZaleha Izzara, telah punterpilih untuk digunakan dalam rancangankomedi televisyen popular,The Noose.Pelajar Diploma Penulisan Kreatifuntuk TV dan Media Baru itubangga melihat skrip dan jalanceritanya ditayangkan di televisyen,walau hampa pihak penerbitmelakukan beberapa perubahan.“Sebahagian perubahan itu menjadikanskripnya lebih baik, tapibahagian lain pula saya rasa tulisanasal saya lagi berkesan.“Tapi tidak apa, ini adalah pengalamanberharga. Kekecewaan sepertiini hanya menebalkan semangatsaya,” katanya.Sememangnya, Nadia, 21 tahun,amat kuat semangat. Sepanjangpengajiannya di SP, beliau terpaksamengimbangi tuntutan pelajarandan bekerja sambilan.Keadaan itu banyak meletakkantekanan ke atas bahu kecilnya,bagaimanapun, beliau tidak mempunyaipilihan lain.Ini kerana Nadia tidak mahuterlalu membebankan ibunya, satusatunyapencari nafkah keluarga.Ibunya, seorang pustakawan, menampungbeliau, adiknya dan nenekmereka. Nadia enggan bercakapmengenai bapanya, kerana beliausudah lama tidak hadir dalam hidupmereka sekeluarga.“Macam-macam kerja sayabuat. Jadi pelayan, jadi jurujual,pendandan dan pelbagai kerja sambilan.Asalkan dapat duit untukbantu ibu,” katanya, yang sentiasariang sepanjang wawancara denganEkstra.Meskipun demikian, Nadia berjayamuncul sebagai antara pelajarterbaik SP dengan gred mata purata(GPA) 3.961.Bagaimanapun, Nadia menekankan,beliau harus berterima kasihkepada teman-temannya di SP.Tanpa mereka beliau tidak mungkindapat mencapai keputusan cemerlangsedemikian.“Sebahagian tugasan kami ialahsecara berkumpulan, malah untuktugasan sendiri pun, teman-temanbanyak main peranan sebagai pengkritikdan memberi saranan untukmemperbaiki mutu kerja.“Jadi, saya terhutang budi kepadamereka,” ujarnya.Nadia telah pun berjaya mendapatkantempat di Kings College, sebuahuniversiti berprestij di London, untukmengikuti kursus Perfilemandan Sastera Inggeris.Bagaimanapun, kos pengajiandi Britain yang tinggi itu bermaknaimpian beliau untuk ke Londonmasih belum tentu.Alternatif bagi Nadia ialah untukmengikuti kursus Undang-Undangdi Universiti Pengurusan Singapura(SMU), namun beliau lebih berminatpada bidang filem dan bahasaInggeris.“Jadi sekarang saya sedang gigihmencari biasiswa dan dermasiswasupaya saya boleh ke Kings College.“Pelbagai cabaran saya hadapisepanjang hidup saya, tapi nampaknyaini cabaran paling besar.“Memikirkannya sahaja buat sayasedih,” kata beliau penuh kejujuran.Nadia Zaleha Izzara topped her class in the Diplomain Media and Communication (DMC). The course evengave her the experience to write scripts for the popular TVshow, The Noose. It was the confidence in her that helpedher achieve her dreams. Nadia is now studying at the King’sCollege in UK under a scholarship.Summary of Chinese articleFor Lim Tong Heong, it is never too late to learn.He joined SP as a mature student and took upthe Diploma in Marine Engineering (DMR)under sponsorship by the Singapore Navy. Thefather of three graduated top of his class andhopes to pursue a maritime degree with NewcastleUniversity in the near future. Eventually, he hopesto become a senior marine engineer with the navy.

With SP, it’s So Possible 07THE NEW PAPER | 13 MAY 2011THE NEW PAPER | 2 JUNE 2010Grandma inspired his passion for medicineFirst S’pore Poly grad to get into NUS med schoolREPORT: LIM WEI LIlimweili@sph.com.sgTHE path less travelled has ledhimto medicalschool.Desmond Thiam, 20, is the first Singapore Polytechnic(SP) graduate to be admitted into the YongLoo Lin School of Medicine at the National University ofSingapore (NUS).He is among a rare few who have taken this route. In2007, The New Paper reported that two Ngee Ann Polytechnicgraduates were the first poly graduates tomakeit tomedical school.Desmond obtained a diploma in biomedical scienceearlier this month.He said that his ambition to be a doctor stemmed fromwatching his grandmother struggle to bring him up whileshe was saddled with many health problems.He is the only child in a single-parent family. Hisparents separated when he was in primary school.His mother, who works in IT, was the sole breadwinner,leaving his grandmother to take care of himsincehe was two.SacrificesHe said: “For the past 18 years, my grandmother’s sacrificesand endeavours were a source of motivation andstrength for me to striveonin the face of continuous hurdles.“Watching her suffer from multiple health problems, includingdepression and arthritis, helped me empathisewith the elderly and made mewant to do morefor them.”Desmond’s compassion for the elderly extended toschool activities.He was the organising chairman of “Health MappingExercise”, an on going community service project that thepolytechnic organised with the Singapore Heart Foundation.Between 2007 and early this year, he went from door todoor at HDB blocks with one- and two-room flats all overSingapore, screening residents’ heart rate, and blood glucoseand cholesterol levels to check for health problems.He found that many of the elderly residents sufferedfrom very high blood pressure.He termed them “walking time bombs” because theircondition was so severe they could suffer heart attacks orstrokes any time.He said: “Many of these patients reminded me of mygrandmother and what it was like for her. They were agroup of neglected people. Several residents were aware oftheir condition, but they had nomoneyto pay for medicine.“We gathered data and presented it to the grassrootsleader, who referred them to the relevant organisations tofollow up.”Desmond graduated with an L1R5 score of 5 fromCommonwealth Secondary School, which would havequalified him easily for the science stream of top juniorcolleges here.But he chose to study biomedical science at SP as hewanted to focus on his area of interest.His mother supported his decision because she felt thatsuch a course would be more practical, given his interests.Desmond thinks his honesty and compassion wereprobably the qualities that impressed his interviewersat NUS.Tough interviewsHe was one of three students shortlisted by the poly togo for interviews at NUS’s medical faculty.He said that the interviews were tough as he was askedtechnical questions that he could not answer.He said: “I told them honestly that I did not know theanswers to the technical questions.“They also asked me many other questions... on topicslike euthanasia and why I wanted to be a doctor. I think theimportant part was how I took a standon the issues.”He hopes to become a doctor in an emergency departmentas he prefers frontline work.He said: “My experiences have taught me that warmth,compassionandunderstanding are crucial aspects ofbeing a doctor, more so than the surgeon’s knife or chemist’sdrug.”Madam Mah Mon Moey, the course manager of thediploma of biomedical science at SP and one of Desmond’slecturers, said that he was a highly motivated student.She said: “He is a team player and an inspirationalleader, who has impressed his lecturers with his ability tojuggle numerous co-curricular activities while maintainingan excellent academic performance.”Desmond’s grandmother died in February this yearand didn’t live to see his achievement. She was 70.He said of the two women who brought him up: “Withoutthem, I would not be who I am today.”

08 Authentic Learning: Global ExposureTHE STRAITS TIMES | 11 MARCH 2011Besides Harvard, Stanford andYale, students from the Schoolof Chemical and Life Sciences(CLS) are also attached toother top universities likeCornell, Massachusetts Instituteof Technology, Max-PlanckInstitute and Wyss Institute.Scan QR code for details onCLS diploma courses.Scan QR codefor details onCLS diplomacourses.THE BUSINESS TIMES | 9 NOVEMBER 2009An Arabian experience in programmingBy SURESH KUMAR SARADDURING my second year of studies at SingaporePolytechnic (SP), I had the privilege of taking onan overseas internship in an emirate called RasAl Khaimah, an hour’s drive from Dubai.There, I worked for the Ras Al Khaimah FreeTrade Zone, a governmental organisation thatpromotes doing business in the United ArabEmirates (UAE).Because I am a business information technologystudent, I was tasked by my employers todevelop a custom content management systemto provide their clients with an easy web-basedplatform for them to create their own websiteseasily and quickly.During my six-week stint in the UAE, I gotthe opportunity to apply, in an actual work setting,the theories I learned in the classroom. Additionally,my roommates and colleagues, whowere from India, were kind and obliging. Withtheir help, I managed to adapt myself quickly toa programming language which I was initiallynot familiar with.UAE is a city that thrives on capitalism, goodgovernance and relentless efficiency. From theminute I touched down at the Dubai InternationalAirport, the progress that UAE has madeover the last few decades as a country was clearlyastounding.UAE’s policy of bringing in foreign talent hasworked well to date, with non-citizens – whoform over 80 per cent of the population – contributingimmensely to its wealth and workforce.From engineering marvels to rows of skyscrapers,UAE has it all. Operations in my workplace,for example, were a hectic affair, with both clientsand colleagues from virtually every continenton the planet working and interacting towardsthe common goal of prosperity.Besides work, I found myself regularly takingtaxis to Dubai on weekends for some rest andrelaxation. One of the most exciting activitieswasdune-bashing, a sport where you “surf ” thesand dunes in sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Thisis usually followed by a campfire buffet dinnerin the middle of the dessert under the Arabianstars.Other sights which showcase how far thehuman race has come as a species can be seenSandy expanse:The writer on the sand dunes ofUAE. One of the most excitingactivities for him was dune-bashing,a sport where sand dunes aresurfed in sport utility vehicles. Thisis usually followed by a campfirebuffet dinner in the middle of thedessert under the Arabian starsfrom the world’s only seven-star hotel built on areclaimed island, the Burj Al Arab; the world’stallest building, the Burj Dubai; and an entireisland reclaimed from the sea, the Palm Island.On returning to Singapore, I was relishingthe challenges ahead of me, both internally andexternally. With the in-depth programmingand project management knowledge that I haveacquired, I am now focused on Creed Media,a business venture I had been working on forsome time.Even during my internship in UAE, I had webconferences almost daily with my two businesspartners, also SP students, after work at night.Creed Media is currently funded by SpringSingapore and supported by SP.The company was set up to be a brand newFlash game advertising network foradvertisers in and around the region, wherebloggers or webmasters can have the opportunityto earn revenue by placing Flash games ontheir blogs or websites.I initially found monitoring and coordinatingCreed Media’s highly complex system to be verydifficult. However, my programming skills weresharpened during my stint in Dubai and thingsare much easier now.After some early obstacles, my team andI managed to earn the YES! Startup grant of$50,000 from Spring, which allowed us to embarkon creating our Flash game advertising servicewhich is due to be launched this month.With the funding, we have been able todevelop a portal that allows our users to simplylog in and get real time reports on the status oftheir advertising campaigns. Our service aims toseamlessly connect all advertisers and publishersthrough our Flash game advertisingplatform that can be found on our corporate site(www.creed-media. com).The writer is a final-year student from SingaporePolytechnic's School of BusinessScan QR code fordetails on SP BusinessSchool diploma courses

Authentic Learning 09THE STRAITS TIMES | 24 APRIL 2012Restoring sea treasuresVolunteers will work on more than 400 artefacts, including primitive fishing gear and boatsVolunteers of the project include (from left) Mr Eric Saw, Mr Kames Bidin, Mr JeremiahLeow, Mr I Seng Hu, Captain Frederick Francis and Ms Amy Tan.ST PHOTOS: ASHLEIGH SIM‘We want to tell our Singaporemaritime story and not justdisplay artefacts’Captain Frederick Francis hopes that aneco-friendly maritime heritage museumand heritage trail will be built‘These are ethnologicallysignificant artefacts. A maritimemuseum should show howSingapore as a port has thrivedalongside cycles of trade’Mr Kua Chong Guan, an honorary adjunctassociate professor, on the artefacts (right)Acollection of early 20th-century regionalmaritime artefacts will be given a newlease of life by maritime organisationYouth Skipper Flotilla.More than 400 artefacts – includingboats native to this region, primitivefishing gear and ship models – are being restored bythe youth wing of the Singapore Nautical Institute.Captain Frederick Francis, 50, the founding commodoreof the flotilla and president of the institute,says they took on the task of restoration because “theexhibits are a national treasure. It’s our social responsibility.We felt that it was necessary”.In the collection, 127 artefacts were donatedby real estate development company MapletreeInvestments. They used to be part of the collectionat the nowdefunct Maritime Museum thatopened at Sentosa in 1975 and closed in 2001.The museum was run by the Port Authority ofSingapore (PSA).Due to a PSA restructuring, Mapletree came intopossession of the exhibits, says Mr Tay Chin Khim, headof Singapore investments at Mapletree Investments.They are supplemented by artefacts from thepersonal collections of Mr Francis and other privateindividuals.The core team of 13 volunteers – including MrFrancis – from the Flotilla and the Singapore MaritimeAcademy,where he teaches, is “almost halfway” through the restorationprocess.The artefacts are housed in and worked on in a7,500 sq ft storage unit at Mapletree business parkbuilding TheComtech.The highlights of the collection are the native boats,which include a Sarawak river boat, a Vietnamesebamboo basket boat and old dragon boats.Most of the boats have been cleaned and treated fortermites. Some have also been treated with a sealant tomake them more durable.One of the volunteers, Mr Eric Saw, 60, notes: “Themost important thing is that they were saved from destruction.”Local historians agree that the artefacts are worth preservingin a museum.Mr Kua Chong Guan, an honorary adjunct associateprofessor at Nanyang Technological University’shistory department, says: “These are ethnologicallysignificantartefacts. A maritime museum should show howSingapore as a port has thrived alongside cycles oftrade.”Mr Francis, who is funding the passion projectout of his own pocket, has spent “about $12,000 to$15,000” since the restoration project started last year.“Under the Flotilla, we could have written in forfunding, but I wanted to wait until we can prove thecollection’s worth, then write to National HeritageBoard for funding,” says Mr Francis, who hopes to getfunding from the board.“It came up to quite a tidy sum but it was wellworth it.”He estimates that the whole project will take “lessthan $100,000” to fund.The project is slated for completion in July nextyear.He hopes that a new eco-friendly maritime heritagemuseum and heritage trail to showcase the restoredartefacts can be built in the future.“We want to tell our Singapore maritime story andnot just display artefacts,” he says.He also plans to get local schools involved in therestoration project to nurture greater interest in maritimehistory.For example, under supervision, students can helpto clean up some of the artefacts, and in return, theirschool can adopt a boat.He adds that they can even hold “an ancient boatregatta” if the Flotilla can secure a location for the museumnear a lake, river or reservoir.The Singapore Maritime Academy(SMA) at SP offers threefull-time diploma courseswith fantastic scholarshipopportunities. In 2012,SMA students clinched30 out of the 40scholarships offeredby the Singapore MaritimeFoundation. Scan QR code for detailson SMA diploma courses.THE STRAITS TIMES | 12 MAY 2012Students get into the act tooBesides going to Milan for exhibition, theDiploma in Visual Communicationand Media Design (DVMD) studentsparticipated in the London Design Festivaland the Lions Festival in Cannes. Somestudents from the Diploma in InteriorDesign (DID) went to Seoul to work onre-designing street shops.Scan QR code fordetails on SP DesignSchool diplomacourses.

10 Authentic LearningTHE NEW PAPER | 5 OCTOBER 2012THE NEW PAPER | 21 SEPTEMBER 2011Polystudentsrun fashionshop atChangiAirportShop allows studentsto apply what theylearn in classTHE new shop will give the polytechnicstudents a chance to earnas they learn.Not money, but academic grades.Singapore Polytechnic (SP) studentswill now have a chance to practise whatthey’ve learnt in class.A pioneer batch of 100 students have beenselected to assume different roles, according totheir diplomas, at a lifestyle fashion shop whichhas just opened at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3.The shop, called Spell – short for SingaporePolytechnic Entrepreneurship Living Lab –sells lifestyle fashion items like clothes and accessories.This is the first time a school or poly has setup a shop at Changi Airport for such a purpose.The 600 sq ft store, which officially openedlast Saturday, is a collaborative effort betweenSP and Changi AirportGroup (CAG). It tooksix months to get the shop from concept to reality.One of the students who will be working atthe shop is Miss Kim Khai Woon, 18, who isdoing the entrepreneurship module of her Diplomain Business and Information Technologyat SP.She said: “I will get to apply all the thingsfrom the textbooks to a real-life situation.”Ms Dora Ho, 59, the manager from theentrepreneurship/HR section at SP BusinessSchool, said the store will bring the real worldinto the classroomand vice versa.REPORT: DAVID SUNdavidsun@sph.com.sgCONCEPTTOREALITY:Spell sells itemsunder its own brand.“Spell is not just another retail outlet, butone that will serve as an off-campus real-worldlearning studio for SP students,” she said.A CAG spokesman said: “We are very happyto partner Singapore Polytechnic on thisproject to provide a real-life business settingfor the students to put into practice what theyhave learnt in school.”Miss Kim said she would be spending a totalof “440 hours for the whole school semester” atthe store, during which she will be assessed bythe school.She will be at the store outside of curriculumtime.The time required to be spent at Spell forstudents vary, as different diplomas have differentrequirements.Some students may be required to spend 60hours over 15 weeks while others may have tospend 110 hours over the same period.Their graded performance takes up a sizeablepercentage of their modular grade, butalso varies from diploma to diploma.Mr Gavin Ting, 19, a graduate from SP, isa full-time business development executive atthe store.He handled day-to-day operations duringthe initial stages, which involved the conceptualisationof the store and managing goods. Hewas also involved with helping the students byguiding themalong the way.Mr Ting graduated with a Diploma in BusinessAdministration, and is waiting to do nationalservice.He said of lending his experience at thestore: “It is essentially an opportunity to turnmy book knowledge into something practical.”Own brandingSpell sells its items under its own brand,Verve Avenue. Miss Eileen Lim, 19, a studentfrom SP’s Diploma in Business Administration,was part of a group of five students who helpedto source for the items sold at Spell.Most of the goods were sourced from variousparts of Asia.“I got to choose the products, colours andsizes,” she said.Miss Lim has had some experience in theretail industry, having worked at Mini Toonsduring the Christmas period three years ago.She believes that she would beable to “better handle customers”because of the experience.Most of the students involved had volunteeredto be part of this initiative.They were then chosen through interviews.Said Miss Kim: “I want to start my ownbusiness in the future. I am doing this to avoidmaking mistakes when I startmyventure.”Mr Ting, on the other hand, had volunteeredto work at the shop before he graduated.He wanted to do this for experience, and tointeract with and mentor his juniors. He is paida salary.A spokesman for CAG said the project is partof its initiative to give back to the community.SPELL-bindingPiecesIn November 2012, the Singapore PolytechnicEntrepreneurship Living Lab (SPELL) at ChangiAirport Terminal 3 celebrated its first anniversarywith a fashion show that showcased a newcollection exclusive to the retail outlet – the Fall/Winter collection from Verve Avenue, SPELL’s inhousefashion label. When it comes to authenticlearning, SP walks the talk.The collection was created together by SPstudents and Michelle Wong, a local fashiondesigner. The collection was inspired by GreyGardens, an American movie starring JessicaLange and Drew Barrymore about two upperclasssocialites. Said Kylie Yuen, a Diploma inBanking and Finance (DBKF) student whoalso models the collection: “I quite like the denimcollection in the casual line. There are manychances for me to wear them in school! Theformal wear section also has some really prettydresses inside.”

Authentic Learning 11LIANHE ZAOBAO | 17 NOVEMBER 2011Summary of Chinese articleSP students from the Diploma in Food, Science and Technology (DFST)created three new coffee blends. One of them is distinctively local with thearoma of love letters, a popular Chinese New Year cookie. The new blendsare sold exclusively at the School of Coffee, which was set up by local coffeecompany, Kaffee Kultur. It is also an authentic learning space for the studentsto experiment on developing new food and beverage products.THE STRAITS TIMES | 6 DECEMBER 2012

12 Authentic LearningTHE NEW PAPER | 27 AUGUST 2012PICTURESCOURTESY OF MERCY RELIEFGOOD CAUSE: (Far left) Miss Kohgilavani Selvakumaran helping out in a Philippine village.(Left) Miss Kohgilavani receiving an award from Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnamfor topping the Diploma-Plus Certificate Programme in Humanitarian Affairs.LIANHE ZAOBAO | 27 DECEMBER 2011Scan QR code for details oncourses offered by the Schoolof Architecture and TheBuilt Environment.Summary ofChinese articleDiploma inLandscapeArchitecture(DLA) students playeda big role in rejuvenatingthe campus environment.Their ideas to spruce up thephysical landscape of SPwere adopted and resultedin a more vibrant campusthat is greener and morespacious. More than 2,000seats have been addedthroughout the campus forstudents to study or chillout.

Go Green 13THE STRAITS TIMES | 8 JUNE 2012Students rewarded for green effortsSP: The Garden CampusIt’s no fluke that SP is known to have the greenest campus.Winning the President’s Award for the Environment in 2010is testimony to the intensive efforts to go green. In 2012, SPwon another major environment award – the Platinum Band atthe Community in Bloom Awards. This is the highest accoladegiven to companies and organisations for gardening efforts.And recently, an engineering invention that could possibly savemillions of dollars in electricity bills won the Gold Award at thePS21 ExCEL Convention 2012.THE STRAITS TIMES | 9 OCTOBER 2010Poly’s leafy campus is green in another wayS’pore Polytechnic wins eco-friendly award along with Hitachi GST and Nan Hua High SchoolBY AMRESH GUNASINGHAMSINGAPORE Polytechnic (SP) has won the President’sAward for the Environment in recognition of its ecofriendlycampus.The polytechnic’s 37ha site is not only one of the oldestin the country, but also one of the greenest.Although many of its buildings are up to three decadesold, meaning they are much harder to make environmentallyfriendly, SP has installed solar panels on top of someof them.These panels can churn out 330 kilowatts every day,based on three hours of sunlight – enough to power athree-room Housing Board flat for a month.The Dover Road campus is also one of the leafiest educationalsites around. A 2003 survey showed that it hadabout 2,000 trees with trunks at least 1m thick. SP was yesterdaypresented with this year’s President’s Award at theIstana.Along with Nan Hua High School and technology giantHitachi Global Storage Technologies (GST), it waschosen from 19 nominees for the award, which recognisesefforts to achieve environmental sustainability.“It was not an easy decision but the range of nomineesspeaks volumes for the number of people and organisationsthat are championing environmental causes here,”said Mr Cedric Foo, chairman of the award’s evaluationcommittee.This year’s winners of the award, now in its fifth year,stood out for having built a substantial portfolio of workrelating to the environment.“The three recipients not only undertook green projectswithin their respectiveorganisations, but also had astrong penchant for engaging external parties,” said MrFoo.Nan Hua High School’s green push, for example, can betraced to as far back as 2001. Students have to take compulsorymodules on environment-related subjects such aswater and waste minimisation.“We hope to instil environmental and water consciousnessin all our students,” said its principal, Mrs Tan JongLek.The school also actively participates in a number ofcommunity projects aimed at environmental conservation,such as anti-littering campaigns.Hitachi GST, one of the largest computer hard disksuppliers in the world, has a long track record of exploringsustainable eco-business solutions.Since 2005, it has been able to recycle more than 95 percent of its waste – in the process disposing only less than 1per cent of it in the landfill.The company has also managed to reduce the amountof water consumed in the production of hard disks by62 per cent, through measures like reverse osmosis in itscooling towers, said Mr Tan Puey Hwee, real estate site operationsdirector at Hitachi GST’s Singapore office.amreshg@sph.com.sg(From left) SP principal Tan Hang Cheong, Hitachi GST managing director KanjiNakao and Nan Hua High School principal Tan Jong Lek received green awardsyesterday. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

14 Go Serve with a HeartTHE SUNDAY TIMES |1 JULY 2012LIANHE ZAOBAO |11 JUNE 2012THE STRAITS TIMES |14 MAY 2012Initiative creates job opportunitiesfor poor in rural Indian communitiesLin ZhaoweiSingapore Polytechnic (SP) student Marcus Seah, 17, counts a recentcommunity-service trip to southern India as his most humbling experience.He was there in March with ninschoolmates from the polytechnic’sStudents. In Free Enterprise (Sife) Club to undertake projects toimprove the lives of rural folk.The second-year biomedical science student said: “While doingour field survey of residents, we asked people whether they were satisfiedwith their lives. What really surprised me was that many said yes,though they were living in poverty.”Sife is an international movement that started in the United States35 years ago. It arrived here in 2003 and now has active clubs in sixtertiary institutions here.SP’s Sife Club, which has since 2008 been helping poor rural communitiesin India’s Tamil Nadu state by creating various job opportunitiesfor them, has emerged as the winner in this year’s Sife NationalCompetition.Its winning project was with a community in Sukka Valli village,where the students set up a cooperative society to sell herbs picked bylocals to vendors in bulk to secure better prices.The villagers there have traditionally taken on menial odd jobs inconstruction and illegal logging.The students also took a loan from Indian non-profit group DevaKrubai Social Help Association, with which they bought 16 goats thatthey gave to eight families. The beneficiaries are expected to eventuallyreturn the money to the association with 1 per cent interest.As national winners, the SP team will represent Singapore at theSife World Cup in Washington DC from Sept 30 to Oct 2 in a competitionco-hosted by the Office of the US Secretary of State HillaryClinton.The other finalist was the Sife team from Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity, which set up an academy for women from low-incomefamilies here to teach cooking and supplement their family earnings.The finalists were judged on the outcomes of their projects in thelast year.Marcus, speaking as leader of the SP team, said: “Different communitieshave different needs, so we try to find solutions that suit theirconditions.”The polytechnic’s Sife Club had in 2008 started with the village ofSevapur, designing a greenhouse for saplings, teaching villagers howto make compost for sale and building a computer laboratory.Two years ago , the students first tied up with Deva Krubai to helppeople in another village, Manaparrai, improve their earning power.They did this by introducing a cash crop and teaching the womensewing skills.Marcus said: “We want to build their capacity to make a living. Wedon’t want to just give them one-off handouts.”zhaowei@sph.com.sgSummary of Chinese articleSP students and the Chinese DevelopmentAssistance Council worked together onthe Gift From The Heart project where theytaught housewives from low income familieshow to make handicrafts for sale.LEARNING THROUGH SERVINGEvery year, hundreds of SP students travel to different corners of the world to performcommunity service. Besides giving them a fresh and real perspective of the world beyond ourshores, the trips also show them the importance of serving less fortunate communities. Many ofthem return with a new zeal towards life and an enthusiasm to help the less fortunate.

Go Serve with a Heart 15THE STRAITS TIMES | 14 MAY 2012Volunteering: it Starts here and NowBy AMANDA EBERMHE new shop will give the polytechnicstudents a AKING moneyfrom helping non-profit organisationsmight seem a little selfcontradictory;but the founders oftech-social enterprise Start Now VolunteerismAdvocacy have found that business opportunitiescan exist comfortably in that space.Ivan Chang and Keith Tan, both 23, believethe non-profit sector is underserved and wouldstand to benefit from some savvy business ideas,like their own.An active volunteer at a children’s foundation,Mr Chang is familiar with the mountainof paperwork that administrators there have todeal with daily.Using outdated systems to process everythingfrom volunteers’ personal particulars tostudents’ community service forms was tediousand time-consuming, he recalls. Furthermore,he found that many people stop volunteeringdue to a perceived lack of appreciation from theorganisations.To help solve these issues, Mr Chang workedwith Mr Tan to build an integrated Internet portalfor non-profits and volunteers alike. Not onlywould non-profits be able to use technology tomanage and communicate easily with volunteersthrough a central database, volunteers wouldalso be able to keep track of their activities withease.With proper records and better communication,people would feel more motivated to continuevolunteering, they reasoned.Today, Start Now has more than 5,000 volunteersregistered on its portal. And, since its officiallaunch in February, the business has rakedin more than $9,000 in revenue.Perhaps part of their success is due to the factthat this is not the first time strategy head MrTan and technology head Mr Chang have wadedinto the business arena together.In 2004, the pair were emerging merit winnersin the Start-Up@Singapore youth category,and were running their own apparel printingcompany and providing event management andmarketing consulting services to local SMEs.In 2007, they realised that the business potentialfor inter-junior college Valentine’s Daygift exchanges was untapped.Despite the initial logistical nightmare ofhaving to deal with 40,000 flowers of every colourimaginable, the venture paid off for the duo,generating $10,000 in revenue in its first year.They repeated that for another four years, beforedeciding that they were “getting too old to continuerunning it”.They say the simple flower business taughtthem vital lessons now helpful with Start Now.“We had to process all the flowers by hand,back then,” recalls Mr Tan. They began lookinginto automation after that first yearand eventually developed a computer programto process the orders. They cut down on manuallabour and acted as middlemen between the studentsand florists – effectively what Start Nowdoes today with volunteers and non-profits.“We see everything as an opportunity not justto make money, but to solve a problem,” says MrChang.Still, Start Now had its share of growing pains.Cultivating a spirit of volunteerism among Singaporeanslies at the heart of its endeavours –but is also one of the most challenging goals MrTan and Mr Chang have set for themselves.“Start Now is essentially a call to action. It islike a motto of life,” says Mr Chang.Mr Tan adds: “Trying to change the mindsetof the youngsters who volunteer is definitely thehardest part.”They noticed that many students volunteeronly to fulfil their compulsory Community InvolvementProgramme (CIP) requirements,rather than out of a desire to give back to thecommunity.“Students today are very used to simple systems,like the iPhone. They expect everything tobe that simple,” says Mr Chang.However, as he acknowledges, the simplestsolution is often the hardest. The team slavedover the smallest design details to make the siteas user-friendly as possible, in the hope that thesimplicity of Start Now would attract students touse it and, hence, volunteer more.Convincing non-profits and charities of thevalue of Start Now’s service was equally hardwork, says Mr Tan.Though Start Now currently has over 80 nonprofitson board, many were sceptical at first.“They thought we were trying to get moneyfrom them. It took quite a lot of convincing onour part to let them know that our basic serviceis free,” recounts Mr Tan. Start Now implementswhat Mr Tan calls a “freemium” model, wherebynon-profits need to pay only when they want toutilise extra features.“We charge for additional services providedto non-profit organisations such as building ofcustomised features and premium options includingSMS functionality, customised brandoutlays, and integration with their existing websiteand administrative systems,” said Mr Tan.Still, Start Now has also received its share ofsupport for its attempts to raise the profile of volunteeringin Singapore.Both the National University of Singapore(NUS) and SPRING Singapore have been instrumentalin getting Start Now to where it is today,says Mr Tan.SPRING provided them with $50,000 to“kick-start the project”, while the NUS GrameenCreative Lab and NUS Enterprise offered considerable“business function support”, rangingfrom pro-bono legal counsel to public relationsconsulting.Mr Chang’s alma mater, the Singapore ManagementUniversity’s (SMU) School of InformationSystems, has also lent its facilities andexpertise to refine the business’s technologicalaspects.And life now seems to have come full circlefor the pair; eight years on, they grabbed tophonours at the Start-Up@Singapore competitionyet again this year – this time in the socialenterprise category – for Start Now.Having received $15,000 in prize funding,they have big plans for the money.“The international rate for calculating volunteerismis about $20 an hour, and there arearound 500,000 students in Singapore. If wecould get just 10 per cent of them to volunteer 10hours of their time, it would generate $10 millionof value for the social sector,” says Mr Tan.“If we can generate that much every year, as asocial entrepreneur, I think I have done my job.”If you are 17-30 years old and have an interestinginvesting or entrepreneurialjourney to share,do get in touch.Email btyif@sph.com.sg, with ‘StartingYoung’ in the subject header, to tell us moreGet started nowBe a young investorDO you aspire to be a successful young investor? Are you keen ontaking the first step towards achieving that?The BT-Citibank Young Investors’ Forum is no typical page extractedfrom a financial textbook. This forum will present step-bystepguides on how to start investing, feature stories of peers whohave made some headway with their investments, and provide answersto your burning questions on investing.First, we need you to invest – not your money, but your time – inreading The Business Times every Monday. You need not be an armchairreader either – write in to btyif@sph.com.sg now!Photos above added by Singapore Polytechnic‘They (non-profits) thought we weretrying to get money from them.It took quite a lot of convincingon our part to let them know thatour basic service is free.’– Mr TanThe Business Times-Citibank Young Investors’ Forum is publishedevery Monday. It aims to raise the financial awareness of youngadults, especially tertiary students, and empower them with thefinancial knowledge and skills vital to making investing and wealthmanagement decisions. The forum is part of Citibank’s efforts topromote financial literacy.Berlin in 2009 Kuala Lumpur in 2011Washington in 2012SP Team won the SIFE Singaporecompetition four times (2008,2009, 2010 and 2012) and wenton to the world stage to competeat the SIFE World Cup staged invarious countries like Malaysia,Germany and the United States.

16 Go Inspire: Design Thinking + InnovationTHE STRAITS TIMES | 9 DECEMBER 2011Engineering students atSP use CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate),a learning method designedby the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology, asthe basis for their inventions.CDIO has been dubbed asan innovative educationalframework for producing thenext generation of engineers.Besides CDIO, SP studentsalso apply Design Thinkingpedagogy in their curriculumto innovate new products andservices.SP’s Diploma in Electricaland Electronic Engineering(DEEE) students invented atraffic control system which tookthem nine months to complete.The project, costing about$190,000, was mostly fundedby the National ResearchFoundation. The system cancapture motorists who drive intobus lanes, 24 hours a day.BERITA HARIAN | 2 DECEMBER 2011Summary of Malay articlePelajar poly cipta sistem pengawasan trafikSistem boleh kesan kenderaan yang langgar peraturan larangan memandu di lorong bas

Go Inspire: Design Thinking + Innovation 17THE STRAITS TIMES | 7 MARCH 2012THE STRAITS TIMES | 30 AUGUST 2012The best ofengineeringinnovations bySP studentsare exhibitedat the annualEngineeringShow heldconcurrentlywith the OpenHouse. Hereare some of theinteresting finalyear projectsshowcased atEngineeringShow 2012.

18 Go Inspire: Design Thinking + InnovationTHE STRAITS TIMES DIGITAL LIFE | 12 SEPTEMBER 2012Service Robot3 Singapore PolytechnicFancy being served by arobot in a restaurant? Thestudents from SingaporePolytechnic can make that areality with their servicerobot.The robot is designed tounderstand basic interactionwith humans and evendisplay social behaviourbased on the interaction.When the robot reachesa new location, it will orientateitself by mapping theimmediate environment.The robot can recognisebasic objects under naturallighting and will proceed topick the object up and handit to a human.It is also designed toreact to basic human movementsin a dining situation.For example, when handeda cup, the robot will take it.THE SUNDAY TIMES |18 MARCH 2012Soaring abovethe competitionSingapore Polytechnic Aviation Club members (from left)Jonas Hii, Yap Feng Wei, Damian Cheng and JonathanLiew, demonstrating their entry for this year’s SingaporeAmazing Flying Machine Competition yesterday.Their submission, which was modelled after a pirate ship,won them the championship title in the “Unconventional”category.The competition, organised by the Singapore ScienceCentre and Defence Science Organisation, is aimed atgiving budding technologists a hands-on experience in areassuch as aerodynamics.Some 300 teams entered this year’s competition, whichwas held at the Singapore Science Centre.Chow Jia YingAutonomous mid-air refuelling UAV system2 Singapore PolytechnicA UAV built for other UAVs.That was what Singapore Polytechnic students produced with their autonomousmid-air refuelling UAV system.They had wanted to provide additional support for UAVs not designedfor prolonged surveillance. The refuelling UAV is similar to refuelling aircrafts,which use a rigid tube to deliver fuel to other aircraft.The UAV uses readily available technology, such as the camera, gyroscope,digital compass and global positioning system, all of which come froman Android phone. The collected information is sent to the UAV’s controller,which processes it to navigate the UAV without any manual control.THE STRAITS TIMES DIGITAL LIFE | 18 JULY 2012Singaporewins big ateco vehiclecompetitionStudents return with six awards,the most bagged by a participatingcountry in the Shell Eco-marathonAsia. SEOW TEIN HEE reportsYears from now, a version of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’sprize-winning fuel-efficient car may be zipping aroundthe roads of Singapore.The school finished top in two categories – Prototypeand Urban Concept – at the Shell Eco-marathonAsia competition earlier this month.Out of the 18 participating countries at the Sepang InternationalCircuit, Singapore teams won the highest number of ontrackand off-track awards, taking six of the 35 awards home.The annual Shell Eco-marathon Asia competition challengesstudents to design, build and drive a vehicle that can travel thefarthest distance on the least amount of fuel.Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s feat in the Prototype and Urban Conceptcategories repeated its achievement last year.The Prototype category focuses on fuel efficiency while UrbanConcept vehicles test the students’ proficiency in finding a balancebetween fuel efficiency and real-world vehicle standards.For its Prototype entry – its car was powered by hydrogen fuelcells – the NP Distanza-Proto team achieved a fuel efficiency recordof 112km/kWh, trumping its 84.9km/kWh performance inthe previous year.There were no changes to the exterior of last year’s torpedoshapedvehicle but the team lowered its height to make it moreaerodynamic this year, said Mr Kaya Totong, 53, senior lecturer atNgee Ann Polytechnic and adviser to the students.The team also added the Ackerman steering system, whichprevents the car’s tyres from slipping sideways when it approachesbends or sharp turns.“The tyres’ low-rolling resistance has also enabled the vehicleto achieve better cruising opportunities during the test run,” addedMr Totong.But the team’s most significant development is the power trainsystem. The students developed a dual-gear electronic shiftingsystem which lets them utilise different gears under different circumstancesto improve fuel efficiency.“It is just like a typical car: When you drive in low gear, youhave the power. But when you want to go faster, you tap the paddleshift to use the more efficient high gear,” said Mr Totong.Its electric battery-powered NP Distanza-UC Urban Conceptvehicle, which scored 118.8km/kWh, is a brand new design. ThePhoto above added by Singapore Polytechnicteam chose to overhaul its previous entry and went with a new,monocoque design.Despite the difficulties in fabricating the inner and outer chassisas a single unit, the team managed to trim the vehicle’s weightfrom 105kg to 75kg with the same carbon fibre material used in itsprevious entry.“We also researched and developed a whole new power train,analysing the competition ground and fine-tuning its system toreduce the mechanic drag,” said Mr Totong.Singapore Polytechnic’s entry in the Prototype category producedimpressive results, clocking 109.9km/kWh for its solarpoweredvehicle, SunSPEC. It won under the Prototype sub-categoryof solar for fuel-type.Dr Lawrence Ng, senior lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic andteam adviser to the students, attributed the win to the students’ attentionto details. Students made improvements to the suspensionunit, chassis design and electrical circuit.Learning beyond their usual course boundaries helped theteam.“For example, a mechanical engineering student had to understandthe technical functions of a solar panel and its peripherals,while a clean energy student had to understand the vehicle design,which they don’t normally learn in their course of studies,” saidDr Ng.Nanyang Technological University’s Diesel Car Racing Teamwas recognised for adhering to stringent safety standards and returnedwith the off-track safety award for the third consecutiveyear.The safety features of the Nanyang Venture IV car included aninnovative telemetric system, which streams a live video feed tothe command post and is able to pinpoint the exact location of thecar; a secure six-point harness safety belt instead of the requiredfive-point harness; and a tough bulkhead which can withstandmore than1,400 newtons of force, double the regulation of 700 newtons.Such details were the reasons why the team won, said AssociateProfessor Ng Heong Wah, 56, who is the faculty adviser to thestudents.teinhee@sph.com.sgENGINEERINGCONGRATS, SINGAPORE WINNERSThe Shell Eco-Marathon is divided into two main categories:Prototype and Urban Concept. The Prototype category focuseson fuel efficiency and cutting-edge technology while UrbanConcept vehicles test the students’ proficiency in finding a balancebetween fuel efficiency and roadworthiness. Each maincategory are divided into eight sub-categories according to thefuel type: hydrogen, solar, battery electric, petrol, diesel, biodiesel,alternative petrol and alternative diesel.Prototype categorySchool: Nanyang Technological UniversityTeam: Nanyang eDriveFuel type: Battery electricResults: 522km/kWhRank: 2School: Nanyang Technological UniversityTeam: NTU Diesel Car Racing TeamFuel type: DieselResults: 350.6km/lRank: 2School: Ngee Ann PolytechnicTeam: NP Distanza-ProtoFuel type: HydrogenResults: 112km/kWhRank: 1School: Singapore PolytechnicTeam: SunSPECFuel type: SolarResults: 109.9km/kWhRank: 1

Go Inspire: Design Thinking + Innovation 19THE NEW PAPER | 7 JANUARY 2010SP is the firstpolytechnic tooffer engineeringdiploma coursesand also the pioneerof several popularcourses suchas AeronauticalEngineering (DARE)and Clean Energy(DCEG). In 2013,SP will launch thefirst-ever Diplomain EngineeringSystems (DES).Scan these codesfor diploma coursesoffered by theSchool of Electricaland ElectronicEngineering andthe School ofMechanical andAeronauticalEngineering.Energy-savingDevice winsPS21 Top AwardASP engineering invention that has the potentialto save millions of dollars if widely implementedin Singapore has clinched the Best PS21 ProjectGold Award at the 2012 PS21 ExCEL Convention.The event is held annually to recognise innovative ideas andoutstanding initiatives by individuals and teams which havehad significant impact within and beyond their organisation.The Best PS21 Project Gold Award, the top honours,is given out to highlight projects that best exemplify the Ex-CEL spirit as well as to affirm and commend inter-agencycollaboration efforts demonstrated by the project teams.SP’s iSave project, a light dimming device, was developedby six staff from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineeringand the Technology Development Office of SingaporePolytechnic. It was lauded for its ability to reduceenergy consumption and wastage from lighting systems inpublic areas such as car parks, workshops and social spaceson SP campus. As the number of visitors to these publicareas fluctuates throughout the day, there is less than optimumusage of the energy needed to power up the lightings.With the new device, when no motion is detected over aset interval, it will automatically and progressively dim thefluorescent light to ensure maximum comfort to the eyes.This will also ensure that there is adequate light in the areaand that public safety will not be compromised.This unique lighting solution has achieved a breakthroughin technology. It has resulted in the setting up of numerousspin-offs and adoption by other companies and organisationsin Singapore, with more than 4,000 i-Saves installed bythe middle of 2012. This brought about an estimated annualenergy savings of $150,000. The project was also nominatedand selected to represent Singapore at the World Conferenceon Quality and Improvement in the USA next year.The team will continue to seek out organisations both inand outside of Singapore that can benefit from the installationof i-Save, to reduce energy consumption globally.Through studying this project, SP engineering students alsolearned how to solve real-life problems and understood theimportance of energy saving.The iSave device (top) is implementedon the sheltered walkway outsideSingapore Polytechnic, alongCommonwealth Avenue West.The PS21 Best Projectwinning team with MrPeter Ong, Head of CivilService at the 2012 PS21ExCEL Convention Forumand Award Ceremony.From left: Toh Ser Khoon,Hui Wing Hong, Jolyon PCaplin, Peter Ong, ChiaChow Leong, Tsui Ping andChong Wee Tat.

20 Go Inspire: Design Thinking + InnovationTHE BUSINESS TIMES | 31 AUGUST 2012LIANHE ZAOBAO | 27 DECEMBER 2011THE STRAITS TIMES |SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2011Summary ofChinese articleA team fromthe Diploma inGames Designand Development(DGDD) clinchedthe top prize ina flash gamedevelopmentcompetitionorganised bythe CentralNarcotics Bureauand the NationalCouncil AgainstDrug Abuse.The game wasmade availablevia Facebook.Scan this codefor details onthis interestingdiploma coursewhere studentslearn to developexciting digitalgames.

Go Inspire: Design Thinking + Innovation 21THE STRAITS TIMES | 12 NOVEMBER 2011THE STRAITS TIMES | 8 JUNE 2012SP TEAM CAME INNO. 2 AT WORLD APPCOMPETITIONA team of recent graduates from the Schoolof Digital Media and Infocomm Technologywon the local leg of ThinkQuest 2012, acompetition organised by technology giantOracle that challenges students to solveproblems using technology. With that, theybagged the rights to participate in theinternational leg and packed their bags fora fully-paid five-day trip at the internationalfinals in San Francisco. The team, whograduated from the diplomas in InformationTechnology (DIT) and Infocomm SecurityManagement (DISM), did not disappoint.They fought opponents from countries likeFrance, India and China to win the secondprize in the Application Development categoryand came home with a laptop each. The firstprize went to a university team from Serbia.Their winning app, called Frevol Friends, isone that harnesses social media technologyand peer influence to connect volunteerswith organisations and provide a convenientway for friends to encourage other friends toparticipate in charitable work together.After the intense competition, the guys tookin the sights of San Francisco and visited themust-see landmarks in the city. These includethe Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, CaliforniaAcademy of Science and the Bay City area.The SP team in San Francisco (from left)Jason Sim, Kenneth Ho, lecturer andcoach Low Jin Kiat, and Chua Si Hao –2nd runner up at the ThinkQuest 2012international finals.Scan this code for details on diploma coursesoffered by the School of Digital Media andInfocomm Technology.

22 Our Alumni Our PrideTHE BUSINESS TIMES | 19 NOVEMBER 2012STARTING YOUNGHelping firmsin brandingthrough musicExpress in Music co-founder tells TEH SHINING how his firm progressed from a dismalstart to planning expansion in the region nowMr Chen:Says Express in Music’sdatabase of musicians is now30,000-strong, with most of thembased in the United States,Europe, Singapore, Indonesia,Philippines and Malaysia“THINGS are really going to changevery soon. This is our pivotingpoint,” says Jerry Chen, the 27-yearoldco-founder of Express in Music(EIM), a crowd-sourcing platformlinking musicians to businesses interestedin music-related branding.Just this week, he shares, EIMfirmed up plans to open representativesales offices in China and Indonesia–its first stab at going regional.But EIM’s current state of affairsis a far cry from the dismal pictureof two to three years ago, when MrChen decided to quit his job in aneventsmarketing company to starthis own business.“I’ve always been a very businessperson,” he says. So in 2009, helinked up with an army buddy andmusician, Adriel Chan, to launch astart-up centred on helpingindependent musicians monetisetheir compositions.Pooling their own savings together,they put $12,000 into the venture,which first began as a platformto match musicians and composersto individuals who wanted personalisedsongs, such as for weddings.“That was a complete disaster, areal flop!” Mr Chen now says, recallingthat bleak first year, duringwhich he and Mr Chan had to getby on the paltry allowances theypaidthemselves.But they learnt a valuable businesslesson. “We need to understandand recognise the differencebetween needs and wants. A couplemight want a personalised love songfor their wedding, but it’s hardto make it a ‘need’”.Apart from problems with theoriginal business model, Mr Chensays that the young, first-time entrepreneursalso found themselvesslipping up on other details. “Simplethings like accounting, thingscan go really wrong: Receipts weremisplaced, records were not doneproperly,” he says.However, that first year was notentirely wasted as it was then thatthey built up their database of musicians,which is now 30,000-strong.Most of these are based in theUnited States, Europe, Singapore,Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia.That database, and the lack ofinterest from consumers, set thestage for their first change of focus:to target businesses instead.“We decided to market to companiesinstead, showing them thevalue of crowd-sourcing to get acorporate theme song, or a TVcommercial jingle, or a song theycan play in their retail outlets,” saysMr Chen.Although that netted themstronger sales, it still wasn’t quitethe scalable, sustainable businessMr Chen wanted. “I believe a startupcan’t stay a start-up forever. Ifafter 10 years you’re still a start-up,something’s wrong. You have togrow, to become an SME, and thena bigger SME and then hopefullyeven bigger.”He thinks the key to u lock thatsort of a future for EIM came tothem late last year, when an older,more experienced engineer, MikeyChow, joined the now seven-personstrong team.Streaming musicNot only did Mr Chow help to ironout business processes within thestart-up, he also brought with himthe patent for a set-top box whichhe designed to stream music in retailoutlets. Such a box allows centralcontrol of the playlists whichcan be streamed through a restaurantor clothing store’s speakers.“Companies’ management wantthis, because the ambience of astore is important, it’s part of theirimage. But if it’s left to the control ofthe service staff, they will just playthe music they like, which may notfit the image the company has,” saysMr Chen.While Mr Chow prevously hadproblems with licensing for musicstreamed from his device, EIM hasbeen able to tap its huge pool ofindependent musicians to generatesuitable music that it can license.This “background environmentalmusic” business segment, whichworks on a subscrition model, hascreated a far more stable cash flowfor EIM.Mr Chen says the streamingdevice is now used in 150 outletsround the island, including those ofCharles & Keith, Crocs Singapore,The Connoisseur Concerto (TCC)and Swensen’s. EIM also has about10 resellers in Singapore who helpto market the product for a commission.Subscription fees rangefrom $720 to $1,500 a year, dependingon thesize of each outlet.Mr Chen thinks this will now beEIM’s main source of growth, and itis with this as a main product thatthe firm is venturing into sales inChina and Indonesia.Now that he has some experienceunder his belt, Mr Chen sayshis passion extends beyond growingEIM, to mentoring younger startupswithin the InnoVillagestart-upincubator space at Singapore Polytechnic,where EIM’s offices are.Marketing strategyHe is eager to deliver a dose of realismto dreamy young entrepreneurs.“The statistics show that 96-97 per cent of start-ups actuallyfail, and while 3-4 per cent that survive,maybe only less than one percentcan be said to actually succeed.That’s something the youngerstart-ups won’t hear very often,” hesays.There is also an over-emphasison, and faith in, branding and marketing.“I tell them, you need to bepractical, be focused, get sales. A lotof start-ups get carried away withbranding, they present a beautifulmarketing straegy and think saleswill automatically come, but that’snot true!” he says.After all, EIM learnt that thehard way – it put $5,000 to $6,000into a marketing campaign in itsearly years that yielded zero returns.He also shares the importanceof being focused. This was a lessonfrom the brief period during whichEIM decided to diversify into teachingschool children how to use theiPad in music classes. “It wasn’twell-planned, bad for our cash flow,not a good idea at all,” Mr Chennow says.EIM recently secured a six-digitsum from an investor, which willhelp with its growth plans. This isin addition to an earlier $50,000received from Spring Singapore underwhat used to be known as theYoung Entrepreneur Scheme (YES!)for Startups.Mr Chen says the firm has alreadyreceived interest from overseasplayers with a similar businessmodel, and he is not averse to oneday selling EIM. “But for now, weare just focused on making sure wecan sustain adequate return on investmentfor our stakeholders,” hesays.THE STRAITS TIMES URBAN | 6 NOVEMBER 2012

Our Alumni Our Pride 23THE STRAITS TIMES | 10 MARCH 2012MakingmusicSP is the only polytechnic to offerthe Diploma in Music andAudio Technology (DMAT).The course integrates musiccomposition with recording andmixing, with an emphasis oncreativity. Students gain hands-onexperience working with musicrelatedcompanies and performingtheir works for the industry andpublic. Well-equipped studios willenable the students to compose,perform, record and edit theirworks using state-of-the-arttechnology. Some of the graduatesfrom this course are continuingtheir education at establishedmusic universities like BerkleeCollege of Music in United Statesand Keele University in UnitedKingdom.THE STRAITS TIMES | 15 DECEMBER 2011Students from the School of Architecture and The Built Environment embarkon overseas trips to get fresh perspectives on subjects relevant to theircourse of study. For example, a group of Diploma in Architecture(DARCH) students went to Italy and the Middle East to study the architecturalheritage there while another group went to Stanford University to attendworkshops on environmental sustainability.Scan this QR code for details on courses offered by this school.

24 With SP, it’s So PossibleTHE NEW PAPER | 8 JUNE 2012Poly rejectgets first-classhonours inuniversityREPORT: LIM YUFANlimyufan@sph.com.sgIndonesian youth chosen as NTU’sNanyang Business School valedictorianSIX years ago, he left Bintan, Indonesia, as a 17-year-old topursue his education in Singapore. But he met with rejectionfrom four of our five polytechnics.His senior high school certificate from Indonesia was notgood enough, and he wasnot offered a place.Singapore Polytechnic (SP) was the only one to give him abreak and allowed himto sit for its entrance tests.Fast forward to three years ago.Mr Iwan Yuliyanto graduated as one of SP’s top students, witha grade point average of 3.98.He was also offered a scholarship by SembCorp Industries toread accountancy at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).Fast forward again to last month.Mr Yuliyanto, 23, was nominated as valedictorian of NTU’sNanyang Business School (NBS), after graduating with a firstclasshonours degree.Not even he would have dreamt of this outcome.Not after having to work two part-time jobs, at Subway andStarbucks, when he was in SP just to pay his school fees.Lost 30kgHe weighed 105kgwhenhe firstcameto Singapore.But within 11/2 years, he lost 30kg due to the stress of jugglingschoolwork and two jobs.He wanted to pursue a degree in accountancy at NTU, buthistory repeated itself, and he was rejected twice.He was offered a place to read economics instead.But Mr Yuliyan to remained unfazed.“I appealed and managed to get an interview with the associatedean,” he said. “She agreed to give me a place to study accountancy.”Mr Yuliyanto, who used to call home crying, started in NTU in2009.With the scholarship from SembCorp Industries, his financialtroubles eased, and he could focus more on his studies.But that did not mean that he spent all his time in his room.He kept himself even busier by taking part in co-curricularactivities (CCAs) and hall activities.“Back in SP, I had to survive just to make ends meet, and I didn’treally have a chance to contribute to the school,” said Mr Yuliyanto,who is now a finance executive at SembCorp Industries.“At NTU, I wanted to make full use of my time, take part inCCAs, and contribute to NBS and society.”During his time at NTU, he organised charity projects to raisefunds for a children’s home.He also took the initiative to set up the NBS Exchange Club tohelp overseas exchange students have a more comfortable time inSingapore.The club did welcome overseas exchange students at the airportand helpedthem check into the hostel.Mr Nicholas Ee, who works at NBS’ undergraduateprogrammes office, said that Mr Yuliyanto has good leadershipqualities.He said: “Iwan displayed a lot of charisma by rallying the localand overseas exchange students to get the whole network going.”Even though he received a monthly allowance of around $650from his scholarship, Mr Yuliyanto still worked on weekends as awaiter during his first 11/2 years in NTU.He said: “Besides saving, I also wanted to give money to mymum.”His mother, a housewife, is his source of inspiration andmotivation.“I really want to do her proud, and hopefully, I can bring herover to Singapore one day too.”He was popular among his schoolmates.Mr Tan Thiam Kee, Mr Yuliyanto’s roommate at the studenthostel, said: “He is smart, friendly, and is always very willing tohelp his friends out.“Earlier this year, I lost my wallet while playing badmintonwith my friends, and Iwan made the effort to go to every facultyoffice to look for it. He even offered to lend me money.”Miss Soh Jia Juan, Mr Yuliyanto’s schoolmate in both SP andNTU, said: “He’s a born leader and shows maturity in the way hethinks and handles conflicts.“Together with another friend, we went for a graduation trip toTaiwan, and he was the entertainer of the group. He is really jovialand humorous.”On his dreams, Mr Yuliyanto said: “I will fulfil my bond with thecompany, and I hope to pursuean MBA.“I’ll also like to open a food and beverage business in thefuture and set up an SP scholarship as I want to give back to thecommunity.”“Earlier this year, I lostmy wallet while playingbadminton with myfriends, and Iwan madethe effort to go to everyfaculty office to look forit. He even offered tolend me money.”– Mr Tan Thiam Kee on his roommate,Mr Iwan Yuliyanto (above)THE STRAITS TIMES | 21 JANUARY 2012Moving closerto her dreamA bond-free scholarship from NTU givesMs Kareen Thian the flexibility to chooseher career path after she graduatesPhoto: Chong Jun Liangby april chongSHE may have big dreams but nothing is going to stopMs Kareen Thian from pursuing her ambition to be thechief financial officer of a large organisation one day.The 22-year-old is now one step closer to herdream after securing the Nanyang Scholarshipfrom the Nanyang Technological University (NTU)and the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship To EncourageUpgrading (LKY-STEP) Award.They will come in handy for Ms Thian, who iscurrently pursuing a Bachelor of Accountancy atNTU’s Nanyang Business School.“My family was most delighted and gratefulto know that I have been offered the scholarshipand award, as these greatly lighten the financialburden on my family,” says Ms Thian, who has threesiblings. Her mother works as a factory machineoperator while her father is a hawker.Her path to tertiary studies had not been an easyone, and this makes her current achievements all themore remarkable.She did not do well during her junior collegedays due to bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder. Afterpulling herself out of the doldrums, she went on to doa diploma in accountancy at Singapore Polytechnic.However, her health took a hit again when she wasdiagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder.“Both bulimia nervosa and lupus have taughtme a very important life lesson — that in times ofadversity, I could either give up and end up none thebetter; or choose to live with a positive mindset andlet nothing get me down.“These personal challenges only made me moredetermined, as I came out a stronger person thanbefore,” she says.Her interest in accountancy was piqued when shewas working as an accounts assistant after her juniorcollege days, and was introduced to concepts such asdebits and credits.She then decided to pursue the subject as she feltthat there would be many career opportunities if shehad an accounting background.She also set her mind to continue with a Bachelorof Accountancy course at NTU and was delighted toget the Nanyang Scholarship, and later the LKY-STEPAward, which gave her an additional one-off cashaward of $3,500, to finance her studies.Both are bond-free, giving her the flexibility toexplore different areas of interest and allowing herto choose from the wide spectrum of careers in theaccounting and financial sector after graduation, she says.Financial support aside, Ms Thian also gets priorityin NTU’s Global Immersion Programme and has beengiven many other development opportunities.These include the Nanyang Scholars Programme,where scholars are given leadership trainingopportunities and are invited to take on the role ofScholar Ambassadors in representing the universityto give publicity talks, receive guests and represent theuniversity at outreach events.“Such programmes give us the added exposure,build character and also instil confidence in all ofus to be positive role models in society,” she says.On facing an interview panel of three last year, sherecalls: “On the whole, I felt that the interview processwas rather stringent.“Good grades alone are almost insufficient for oneto secure a scholarship, as not many questions wereasked about my grades.“Scholarship providers are now looking for allrounders— people who not only excel in their studies,but also possess leadership qualities and exemplaryconduct.”Her advice for aspiring scholars: “Always strive togive your best in everything that you do. There is noshortcut to success. Working hard and perseverancewill pay off in the end.“Also, believe in yourself and have a never-say-dieattitude.”It is also practical to develop good timemanagement skills, which is essential if one aims to bean all-rounder, she adds.“With so many activities to participate in, onemust be able to budget one’s time carefully to ensurethat there is time allocated for activities, studies andalso for family and close friends.”‘Good grades alone are almost insufficientfor one to secure a scholarship,as not many questions were askedabout my grades.’— Ms Kareen Thian (above)

With SP, it’s So Possible 25THE STRAITS TIMES | 4 MAY 2010THE STRAITS TIMES | 18 MAY 2009Taking abreak to winWhen Kuriakin Zeng returned for a break after completinghis second year at Harvard, he took the time to develop anapp called iForm, a next generation survey and audienceresponse system. After users create their survey onlineusing iForm’s fast and intuitive creation tool, a QR codefor that form will be generated. The survey form will berevealed when the QR code is scanned. Upon submission,the responses are collected and presented graphically atthe web application. This app won the first prize at SP MobFest 2012 for the Staff App Developer Category.

26 The Excellence ContinuesTHE BUSINESS TIMES | 24 JANUARY 2009THE STRAITS TIMES | 12 FEBRUARY 2011EAR-MARKED FORTHE INDUSTRYJohn Ser receiving his SGiSscholarship from Mr Dicky Koh,Chief Financial Officer of Charles& Keith Group. He will embark ona career in retail management withthe award-winning local enterpriseupon his graduation from SMU.Fifteen recent SP graduates have clinched the inaugural Singapore-Industry Scholarship(SgIS) launched by the government this year. This scholarship was launched with supportfrom some of the finest local enterprises and organisations that include Charles andKeith, Resorts World Sentosa and Singapore Power. It aims to nurture a strong coreof Singapore talent with the requisite skills and capabilities to steer and contribute tostrategic sectors. SgIS scholars will have opportunities to acquire knowledge of theirindustries early, even while they are studying in university. Upon graduation, scholars willembark on exciting careers with their sponsoring organisations. The scholarship coverstuition fees and other expenses such as book, computer and hostel allowances andoverseas exchange programmes. All recipients have to sign a three-to four-year bondwith their sponsorship company which will tailor development programmes for themduring their studies and as soon as they embark on their careers upon graduation.The SP graduates receiving the SgIS are now pursuing their degree programmes atthe Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and SingaporeManagement University.

The Excellence Continues 27THE STRAITS TIMES | 1 AUGUST 2012Andrew Yee, agraduate from theDiploma in Mediaand Communicationand now an undergraduatein NTU, wasthe overall winner inthe Youth categoryat the 4th SingaporeYoung PhotographerAward 2012.Scan code fordiploma coursesoffered by theSchool of Communication,Arts and SocialSciences.Three TimesA WinnerTanya Chua graduated fromSP with a Diploma in BusinessAdministration (Public Relationsand Advertising). Her journeyin the music scene is nothingbut meteoric. Her compositionsand singing prowess are wellrecognised internationally. Tanyais the only female singer toclinch the Best Female Singeraward three times at the Taiwan’sGolden Melody Awards, dubbedthe Grammys for the Chinesemusic industry.THE NEW PAPER | 21 OCTOBER 2012Top student choses to serve burgers as her job

28 All-rounded AchieverTHE NEW PAPER | 17 JULY 2012 THE STRAITS TIMES | 13 JULY 2012Off to London,gunning for apersonal bestAfter twists and turns,Yeo looks ahead tosprint glory in London,then SEA GamesIF FATE had taken a different turn, Gary Yeowould be charging up and down hills as acareer soldier, instead of sprinting downstadium tracks.After a stellar season last year, the 25-year-oldwill march onto the biggest stage of them all whenhe takes his place in the heats of the men’s 100mat the 2012 Olympic Games in Londonon Aug 4.It hasbeen an improbable journey, accordingto Yeo.“I never thought I would represent Singaporewhen I started running in Victoria School.I thought I would sign on in the army or police,eventually,” he said.After his O Levels, Yeo went on to SingaporePolytechnicandsucessfully obtained defermentfrom National Service to compete in his firstSouth-east Asia (SEA)Games in 2007.When he finally got his first taste of the armyduring basic military training in 2008, it justdidn’t feel right.He decided the army was not for him andjoined the Singapore Management Universityafter National Service to pursue a business degree.That was in 2010.One year later, he stormed to a silver medal inthe men’s 100m final at the 2011 SEA Games inPalembang, Indonesia, and was part of the Singaporemen’s 4x100m relay team who were only justpipped to the gold medal by the hosts.REPORT: LIM SAY HENGsayheng@sph.com.sgHighest pointYeo, who clocked a personal best of 10.46secin Indonesia, said: “The 100m silver medal wasdefinitely the highest point in my sprinting career.I never thought it would be possible.“It was only a month before the SEA Gamesthatmycoach (Melvin Tan) and I felt I had achance at a medal since I was getting good timesduring training.”Yeo, a former hockey player in school, waspart of the 4x100m relay team who set a new nationalrecord of 39.82sec – the previous mark was40.10sec –whenthe Singapore quartet won silverat the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane.Muhd Elfi Mustapa, Lee Cheng Wei, MuhdAmiruddin Jamal and Yeo sealed their place inSingapore’s history books when they becamethe first quartet from the Republic to break the40-second barrier in the event.The two silvers from the 2011 SEA Gameshelped Yeo end the year on a high, after he struggledto juggle training, studies and his part-timework as a coach – as well as a knee injury – for thebetter part of the season.This year, he has already competed at the prestigiousAsian Indoor Athletics Championships inHangzhou and the World Indoor Championshipsin Istanbul.He was also part of the national 4x100m relayteam who rewrote the national record again,when they clocked 39.58 at the Kanchanaburi legof the Asian Grand Prix in May.The year has certainly been good for Yeo so far.He recently got engaged to his childhood sweetheartof 13 years and he’s raring to have a go at theOlympics.Eye on the futureYeo, who recently went for a three-week trainingstint in Japan, said: “I am aiming to lower my timein London and even though it is not at the optimumlevel yet, it’s slowly coming down, just likemy coach and I have planned.”The men’s 100m final in London threatens tobe one for the ages, with Usain Bolt being eyed upby a host of challengers led by Yohan Blake.Singapore’s Yeo, who will be running at theGames after a wild-card invite, will go unnoticedamid all the hype surrounding the event, almostcertainly enjoying one run out in his heat.But Yeo is looking to learn as he targets glory atnext year’sSEA Games.He said: “I am aiming for two golds next year,in the 100m and the 4x100m relay.“It’s very possible in the relay, since we’veactually bettered our national mark recently.”After that, the sprinter aims to bring thecurtain down on his running career when Singaporehosts the SEA Gamesin 2015.He said: “When I go overseas to competeat major Games, the crowd is not made up ofSingaporeans.“I want to experience racing in a stadium fullof Singaporeans and I think I will thrive undersuch a situation anddo better.”GARY YEO ON THE UPCOMING OLYMPICS“I am aiming tolower my timing inLondon and eventhough it is not at theoptimum level yet,it’s slowly comingdownas what mycoach and I haveplanned.”YEO (TOP) ON NEXT YEAR’S SEA GAMES“I am aiming fortwo gold medalsnext year, in the100mand in the4x100m relay.”SAILOR ANDSCHOLARSean Lee, a graduate fromthe Diploma in BusinessInformation Technology(DBIT), is also a national sailorwho has won several medalsat regional and internationalcompetitions. He graduatedfrom SP with the Lee Kuan YewMedal and will be heading toNTU to pursue a double degreeunder the Nanyang Scholarship.

All-rounded Achiever 29THE SUNDAY TIMES | 15 JULY 2012Sen Poh Kang graduated fromthe Diploma in AeronauticalEngineering (DARE) in 2012. Duringhis three years at SP, he was alsoleading Gusto!, SP’s Cheerleading Team.Under his leadership, the team came infirst at the annual Singapore NationalCheerleading Championships organisedby the Federation of CheerleadingSingapore and Singapore SportsCouncil. For his outstanding leadership,he was selected to lead Team LIONS,the Singapore cheerleading team, toparticipate in the Cheerleading AsiaInvitational Open 2012, an internationalmeet held yearly in Japan. Team LIONScame in second overall, amidst toughcompetition from formidable competitorsfrom countries like Japan, Taiwan andThailand. Poh Kang will be headingto NTU to study accountancy after hisnational service.LIANHE ZAOBAO | 4 JULY 2012Summary of Chinese article

30 Space for ExcellenceTHE STRAITS TIMES | 20 DECEMBER 2011SP’s InnoVillagegives start-upsspace to mixBY LIN ZHAOWEISINGAPORE Polytechnic (SP) alumnus Jerry Chen, 26, starteda business selling original music compositions in 2009 after heleft his first job.But he and his partner could not afford to rent an office,so they worked from home. Later, they moved to a temporaryspace provided by SP.In May last year, they moved to a new rent-free incubatorspace at the polytechnic called InnoVillage, and found a homefor their fledging company, Express In Music. They were oneof its first tenants, and have done well so far. Sales are set to hit$100,000 this year.InnoVillage is not just a space for nurturing start-ups likeMr Chen’s. Located in a shady corner of the SP campus at DoverRoad, it is also a place for design, innovation and researchand development.At the same time, it serves as a focal point for alumni activity,providing opportunities for past and current students tomingle and network.Speaking to The Straits Times at InnoVillage recently, SPprincipal Tan Hang Cheong said the idea of setting up the integratedspace was conceived about five years ago.The concept took shape in 2008, when SP secured ownershipof the disused container offices from JTC Corporation’sPhase Z.Ro Technopreneur Park near Buona Vista MRT,which has since closed. About 80 per cent of the materials usedto build InnoVillage were recycled from there.That and the use of clean technology such as solar panelsearned it the Building and Construction Authority’s top certificationfor environmentally friendly buildings.It was completed in late 2009, and has office space for newbusiness and social entrepreneurship start-ups, where occupantsare expected to move out after two years.The Student Agency, a design and advertising company runby students and alumni, is also based there.One of the research centres at InnoVillage is the Live WellCollaborative, a Procter and Gamble initiative focusing onproducts and services for those aged 50 and above.The other four polys here also have their own entrepreneurshipcentres and research labs. But InnoVillage is different as ithouses these offices in the same compound, providing opportunitiesfor interaction.“For innovation to be effective, we need the three wheels oftechnology, business and design to work in tandem.How do we bring these together under one place?That was what we aimed to achieve,” said Mr Tan, who hashelmed the poly since 2007.“People may ask, why not just use a three-storey building...But InnoVillage is different because it’s this mixing togetherthat provides the environment to encourage the generation ofideas.”To provide a convenient space for business meetings andinteraction, a cafe was set up in collaboration with local cafeKaffee Kultur. It is also a training ground for students to learnhow to make and blend coffee.Mr Tan said new start-ups must come in all the time tomaintain the energy and drive of InnoVillage.“For start-ups, our message is: After you grow, you moveout. I told the staff that there should be no permanent tenant inthis place,” he said.“I hope that when visitors come back here one year later,this place will have different tenants.”CHANGE IS GOOD“For start-ups, our message is: After you grow,you move out. I told the staff that there should beno permanent tenant in this place.”Singapore Polytechnic principal Tan Hang CheongTHE STRAITS TIMES | 23 JANUARY 2012Secondary students learn to innovateVarsity-level course combining business anddesign modified for Sec 1 and 2 students at SJITHE NEW PAPER |10 JANUARY 2012BY STACEY CHIAA COURSE normally taught at university level to encourage innovation isfinding a place in secondary schools as well.Starting this year, Secondary 1 and 2 students at St Joseph’s Institution(SJI) will have to take Business Design Thinking, a course that incorporatesbusiness and design thinking, as one of their subjects.They will be taught business fundamentals and how to think creativelythrough theoretical and practical lessons.But unlike the courses offered in universities, especially in NorthAmerica where such programmes are popular, the teaching of the subjectwill be adapted to cater to younger students, while still giving them an ideaof what is required in business.“Courses on financial literacy would be too much for their age, and wealso wanted to instil the importance of creativity,” said Mr Kyris Ang, whois head of the programme at SJI.“The innovations that they come up with may not be feasible now, butwho’s to say that they won’t be ideas for tomorrow?”He added that the school introduced the subject with the intention ofproviding students an important and safe platform to learn and fail.“We want to teach them to view failure positively, and to learn frommistakes, which is what innovation is about,” he said.For example, one of the activities students take part in is a challengeto create the tallest tower out of uncooked spaghetti. The tower has to bestrong enough to balance a marshmallow.Through an activity like this, students not only take away design principlessuch as ensuring what they build serves its purpose, but also pick upon team building and brainstorming skills.SJI started a pilot last year with three Secondary 1 classes. Mr Ang saidthe programme was successful, judging from the heated debates and interestin class.The SJI curriculum was conceptualised with the help of SingaporePolytechnic (SP) and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School ofManagement.Being the pioneer in the field of merging business and design thinking,The Rotman School provided input on SP’s curriculum as well.The polytechnic’s Business School will be launching the Diploma inBusiness Innovation and Design this year, which will be heavily focusedon the two disciplines of business and design thinking.SJI students (from left) Ayden Mohan, Mark Wee, Oo Guoxuan and Daryl Wong at theBusiness Design Thinking class, which trains students to think like product designersand come up with innovative solutions to problems. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIMMs Phyllis Peter, deputy director of SP’s Business School, said the courseaims to encourage students to think out of the box and come up with innovativeideas that could translate into business concepts.“Students with a sound grounding in business and the added advantageof the ‘out of the box’ thinking will bring significant value to businesseslooking to innovate,” said Ms Peter.According to SP, five other secondary schools have approached it tostart a similar programme. SP declined to name the schools.Although design thinking is popular in North American universitiessuch as Stanford University and Parsons The New School for Design, it isonly just gaining momentum in Singapore.The Singapore University of Technology and Design, for example, isweaving design thinking into its degree programmes.Although recognised formally as a subject, SJI students will not have tosit any written examinations and will be graded based on project work.Secondary 2 student Louis Quah, who is part of the pilot group of SJIstudents taking the subject, said he enjoys the class.“We don’t have to do a lot of work for it and the homework we getis fun. I think it will help me come up with ideas when I want to start abusiness,” he said.staceyc@sph.com.sgDESIGN THINKINGThe way to learning and teaching in SP

Work Ready 31THE SUNDAY TIMES | 3 JUNE 2012Nick Ng is now a landscape designer after getting his SP diploma.Photos added bySingapore PolytechnicMabel Low graduates top of her Experience and Product Design course in SP and is now working as a designer.THE STRAITS TIMES | 19 DECEMBER 2012

32 Scholarship PartnerTHE STRAITS TIMES | 4 AUGUST 2012 THE STRAITS TIMES |10 SEPTEMBER 2012SP Wong WeiYu from SP’sDiploma inCivil Engineeringwith Businessis one of therecipients of theBCA Scholarship.Keppel sets upfoundationto channelcharity effortsSP Principal Mr Tan Hang Cheong (extreme right) receives the chequefrom Keppel Care Foundation, witnessed by (from left) Mr Choo ChiauBeng (CEO of Keppel Corporation), Dr Lee Boon Yang (Chairman,Keppel Corporation), former President of Singapore Mr S R Nathan andMrs Alice Chua. Photo above added by Singapore PolytechnicScholarshipsSP workswith animpressive list ofcompanies andorganisationsto offerscholarshipsto outstandingstudents. Theseinclude theBuilding andConstructionAuthority,Challenger,Dairy Farm,Land TransportAuthority,Microsoft,Ministry ofNationalDevelopment,Challenger,Red Hat,SingaporeMaritimeFoundation andSMRT, amongothers.Photo bySingaporePolytechnicLIANHE ZAOBAO | 15 JULY 2012Summary of Chinese articleIn a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a polytechnic and a Ministry,five SP students from the pioneer cohort of the Diploma in BusinessInnovation and Design (DBID) will receive a total scholarshipsum of $75,000. This is made possible by a generous grant fromthe Ministry of National Development (MND) which recognises theimportance of infusing Design Thinking as the new approach to improvebusiness processes for the future.The scholarship will pay for their three-year tuition fee at SP andexpenses for a two-week Boot Camp at Rotman DesignWorks in theUniversity of Toronto, Canada – which is one of the highlights forthis new diploma course. Rotman is one of the world’s best businessschools and a global leader in business design. In return, the scholarswill serve a 15-week internship and two-year bond after graduation at aMND agency of their choice.

Scholarship Partner 33THE STRAITS TIMES | 21 JANUARY 2012Hooked ontechnologyI would say that thereis no better optionthan being paid tostudy and work in anindustry one ispassionate about!— Mr Chi Kok Pinby cheryl tayAn Integrated Infocomm Scholarship bringsIT enthusiasts like Mr Chi Kok Pin closer totheir dream of being technopreneursMr Chi says that the IIS offersthe advantage of more handsontraining at the diplomalevel followed by a strongertheoretical balance at thedegree level. PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANGWHEN he graduates from university, Mr Chi Kok Pin aims towork in a multinational company (MNC) with global informationtechnology (IT) facilities, gain the experience and knowledgeto strike it out as a technopreneur, continue as an organisationalIT person or move into research in academia.He hopes to grasp the skills necessary in the field of cuttingedgenetworks and IT security and that the experience will includeexploring new ways of enhancing seamless and secure networks,as well as the chance to help in designing and implementing newand better systems.Influenced by his uncle who worked in the infocomm industryand took him to gaming competitions, Mr Chi, currently an ITstudent from Singapore Polytechnic (SP), was originally interestedin gaming.He later developed an interest in Networks and IT Security, andspurred by a desire to learn more about this field, the avid gamingenthusiast applied for the Integrated Infocomm Scholarship (IIS).It is a unique scholarship programme open to outstanding O-levelstudents by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore(IDA) where candidates pursue polytechnic-cum-university studiesin digital media and infocomm-related courses.“I chose this route as it would allow me to focus on IT. The IISalso offers the advantage of providing more hands-on training atthe diploma level followed by a stronger theoretical balance at thedegree level. It’s an attractive combination,” says Mr Chi.To gain hands-on experience in Networks and IT Security, heparticipated in competitions such as Syscan10 Capture-The-Flagand Air-Raid3. He has also done community service, helping seniorcitizens pick up some basic IT skills on IDA’s Silver InfocommDay.During an internship in Los Angeles in the United States lastyear, Mr Chi took time out to spend three days at DefCon, a USbasedconference specialising in IT security in Las Vegas to pickup some tips from the industry thought leaders presenting at theconference.Mr Chi has also taken up specific certifications on his ownoutside of SP’s curriculum, such as the Comp-Tia Security+, EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker and Red Hat’s Certified SystemAdministrator.To the 19-year-old, being awarded a scholarship means havingan additional set of responsibilities and the challenge to constantlydo well in his studies.“There is also the need to keep track of cutting-edge technologyand industry trends, otherwise it might create a poor impressionof IIS scholars when attending industry seminars and workshops,”he says.To help their IIS scholars build professional networks andlearn about the latest trends and technologies, IDA conductsworkshops and teambuilding events, as well as opportunities toattend infocomm-related events.Mr Chi’s advice to potential IIS scholarship applicants is toquestion their passion for IT honestly. If they are indeed passionateabout IT (including gaming) and curious about how an ITproduct, such as a particular game or applications software,works or can work better, they would be well-suited to considerpursuing an IT-related career.“I would say that there is no better option than being paid tostudy and work in an industry one is passionate about!” he adds.SP students clinchedlion’s share ofinfocomm scholarshipMr Tan Yew Meng(left), Director ofSchool of Communication,Arts and SocialSciences, receiving thescholarship fund fromMr Ian Batey.$250,000 scholarship fromIan Batey for DMC studentsSingapore Polytechnic students from the School of Digital Mediaand Infocomm Technology once again clinched the lion’s share (15out of 40) of the Integrated Infocomm Scholarship offered by theInfocomm Development Authority to polytechnic students. Underthe Scholarship, they will pursue a polytechnic to university path,paving the way for them to pursue a career in the digital media orinfocomm-related industry.Ian Batey, the creative honcho behind Singapore brands like SingaporeAirlines and Raffles Hotel has started a $250,000 scholarship fund forSP students, with a matching grant from the Ministry of Education. Calledthe Batey Scholar Award, it will be awarded to deserving students fromthe Diploma in Media and Communication (DMC), the futurebranding and marketing experts. Said Mr Batey, “We -- that’s all the oldBatey team – are delighted to make this contribution. It’s an expressionof our deep appreciation for the extraordinary opportunities given to usover three decades by Singapore Inc. And we have a dream that seesSingapore as the most exciting creative centre in Asia-Pacific for creatingand developing global power brands, and for creating outstanding globaladvertising campaigns. We hope the Batey Scholar Award programmewill help attract more talented young people to a career in marketingcommunication, and that Batey Scholars, together with their colleagues,will grow our dream into a dazzling long-term reality.”DMC offers the most broad-based and comprehensive education incommunication amongst the polytechnics. SP students learn how thevarious media platforms and the different communication disciplineswork together to effectively and consistently deliver the right messagesto the right people. They design campaigns for real clients in an authenticlearning space at The Agency, a living laboratory which functions as areal integrated marketing communication agency. The Batey ScholarAward will cover three years of tuition fees as well as participation inoverseas internship and study programmes.

34 In DemandTHE BUSINESS TIMES | 23 APRIL 2012SMA CELEBRATES 55 YEARS INMARITIME EDUCATION & TRAININGStaying focusedand currentSMA of S’pore Polytechnic keeps up with the latesttechnology while it trains manpower for the maritimeindustry. By VINCENT WEELifeboat training at Poly Marina: Mr Tan (left) says SMA keeps its courses up-todateand relevant to industry needs by constant dialogue with industry partnersON its 55th anniversary, the wayforward for Singapore MaritimeAcademy (SMA) of SingaporePolytechnic is to keep up with thelatest technological developmentswhile not forgetting its basic missionto train manpower for themaritime industry.Major steps have been taken inthe drive towards e-learning andSMA is preparing to move furtherup the value chain into researchand development (R&D) with severalcollaborative agreements beingsigned.For example, in R&D throughMI@SP, a research body set upwith the SMI (Singapore MaritimeInstitute), SMA’s strength in simulationis being further reinforced.To prepare for SMA’s upstreammove into R&D, its state-of-the-artsimulation facilities are being furtherboosted with a collaborativearrangement with Force Technologyunder which both parties cantap on each other’s resources withthe setting up of Simulation@SMARTFORCE within the SMASimulation Complex.“Moving forward, with its recentinvolvement in R&D, SMAhopes to pioneer breakthroughresearch projects to elevate its rolefrom a training provider to an innovationcentre for the maritimeindustry,” says SMA director RolandTan.However SMA has not forgottenits primary role. “As Singapore’spremier Maritime Educationand Training (MET) academy, ourmission continues to be preparingyoung talent to be Work-Ready,Life-Ready and World-Ready,” MrTan adds.Established in 1957, SMAstarted with the underlying objectiveof producing seagoing officerswho can operate ships in a competentand safe manner, and who willalso acquire the necessary experienceand communication skills tobecome captains in the maritimeindustry.Soon after, training of marineengineers started, and over timethescope of training has evolved toinclude maritime business aspects.Today, SMA remains at theforefront in MET, offering diplomacourses in Marine Engineering,Maritime Business and NauticalStudies as well as a comprehensiverange of professional maritimecourses.Relevant coursesIt has 1,000 full-time students inits three diploma programmes andsome 400 post-diploma studentsattend the semester-long upgradingCertificate of Competency(CoC) courses, which preparecandidates to qualify as seafaringofficers up to the captain and chiefengineer levels.Mr Tan points out that SMAhas been quick to gather its resourcesto provide relevant coursesin demand by the industry.For example, a joint collaborationwith SMTC Global resultedin the setting up of the SMA andSMTC Global Safety TrainingCentre (SSSTC) at the Poly Marinato offer safety courses for theoffshore industry. “SMA continuesto keep its courses up-to-date andrelevant to industry needs by constantdialogue with industry partners,”he says.Looking to the future however,SMA has moved to providefor the global shipping industry’sincreasing dependence on the Internetgeneration for its manpowerneeds, Mr Tan says.Courses have been updatedthrough the development of e-learning materials for students forcertificates of competency such asits E-CoC 3 and E-CoC 5 for example.“Successful completion ofthese e-learning materials will resultin less on-campus time and expensefor students,” Mr Tan notes.Meanwhile full-time diplomastudents are benefiting from thestaff ’s constant fervour in enhancingclassroom teaching throughblended learning by creating innovativesoftware packages. SMAcurrently has about40 titles in itscollection created through consultancywork for industry partnersor out of their own passion.The full e-learning content ofthe CoC courses are also broughtinto the full-time programmes.“As SMA moves forward, itstrongly encourages staff to pioneernew ways of teaching suchas creating mobile applicationsfor iPads and e-books. This is inline with Singapore Polytechnic’svision of being a mobile campus,”says Mr Tan.As Singapore develops as an internationalmaritime centre (IMC)Mr Tan sees a growing scope forMET in the republic. He sees moreopportunities in the area of offshoremarine training, which is anew growth area.Other areas for developmentinclude in the area of continuingmandatory courses for seafarers.Mr Tan points out that with theimplementation of the new STCW2010 ManilaAmendment coming intoforce, training institutions such asSMA have to respond accordingly.The International Convention onStandards of Training, Certificationand Watchkeeping for Seafarers(STCW) governs the mandatoryrequirements for training forall seafarers.SMA is also doing its best tomeet the higher expectations of itsstudents, with most wanting to goon to higher qualifications now.Like other polytechnics, SP isalso trying to fulfil diploma graduates’aspirations for higher learning,and is looking for various waysto value add to its courses.Several of their diploma coursesnow offer a “top-up” where goodgraduates will be able to shortentheir study in selected degreecourseslocally and abroad through advancedstanding arrangementswith universities.In SP, more than 70 per cent ofgraduates move on to get a degreewithin five years of their graduation.“SMA offers such opportunitiesto our graduates to furthertheir studies to degree level in variousuniversities locally and overseas,”says Mr Tan.These include Maritime InstituteWillem Barentsz MIWB in theNetherlands, Korea’s Chung AngUniversity, The State University ofNew York, Plymouth Universityand Newcastle University, AustralianMaritime College at TasmaniaUniversity and Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity.Mr Tan adds that SMA is alsoconstantly looking out for suchpartnerships with other reputedInstitutes of Higher Learning(IHLs) to provide more opportunitiesfor its graduates to upgradethemselves.SMA is also making inroadsinto the R&D sphere of the maritimeindustry.It is going up the value chain bypartnering with Force Technologyto embark on maritime researchprojects. To be launched today,Simulation@SMARTFORCE, anew set-up located at the IntegratedSimulation Centre (ISC) atSP campus, will be dedicated tosimulation-based research for themaritime industry.Going further into R&D, SMAis supporting MI@SP, one of thefour set-ups within IHLs underthe Singapore Maritime Institute(SMI). The Singapore MaritimeInstitute is a joint effort by theMaritime and Port Authority ofSingapore (MPA), the Agency forScience, Technology andResearch (A*STAR) and the SingaporeEconomic DevelopmentBoard (EDB).Established in January 2011,the mission of the SMI is to makea difference through world-classR&D, training and education andthought leadership in policy formulationfor the maritime industry.SMA sees itself as playing akey role in supporting Singapore’sdevelopment as an IMC. “Buildingon its well established reputationas a providerof competent seafarers to the globalfleet and to the global maritimehub in Singapore, SMA has alwayssupported the government’s initiativesin the maritime industry,”says Mr Tan.For example, SMA supportsSingapore’s efforts in boostingMET as the training partner forthe new Certificate of Competency(Special Limits)programme launched by the MPA,and has been appointed as the officialtrainingpartner for this programme.The new programme waslaunched last year, in collaborationwith the National Trades UnionCongress’ (NTUC) Employmentand Employability Institute (e2i)and the Singapore Workforce DevelopmentAgency (WDA).With this programme, aspiringseafarers can now look forward toa new opportunity to up-skill inareas such as navigation, operationof bunker tankers, and passengervessels.They can look forward to serveonboard ships operating up to the“Special Limits” of Singapore port.As the ships ply near Singapore,seafarers can minimise having toengage in long international voyages,thereby reducing the timespent apart from their families.Mr Tan says response from theindustry has been encouraging,and a similar programme for engineersis in the pipeline.Besides merely providingtraining, SMA also takes on theresponsibility of supplying a qualifiedfuture workforce for the industryby doing its part to make amaritime career an attractive oneto young people.“Through rigorous outreachand marketing efforts, SMA constantlytries to entice bright studentsfrom secondary schools toenter our courses,”says Mr Tan.These efforts have borne fruit,he adds. Students who are academicallystrong are now choosingto start their training and careerswith SMA to eventually enterSingapore’s maritime industry ashighly qualified professionals.Also, through the sponsoringof the MaritimeONE Scholarships,a scheme administered by theSingapore Maritime Foundation,SMA has made significant effortsto attract more high calibre studentsto join the maritime industry.SMA has come a long way fromits origins 55 years ago when in itsearlier incarnations it focused onthe training of mariners for a careerat sea.The scope of its courses nowencompasses a wide range of sectorswithin the maritime industryand its training efforts are fully insupport of Singapore’s aims of becomingan international maritimecentre. SMA graduates now areable to fill roles in the services sectoras well as help fulfil manpowerneeds onboard ships.In addition, looking to the future,SMA is taking full advantageof the R&D and new technologyoptions available as it prepares forthe challenges ahead.THE BUSINESS TIMES | 23 APRIL 2012SMA woosyouth to joinindustryIt offers scholarships, learning camps and immersionprogrammesto bring the world into the classroom.By VINCENT WEEOverseas training programme: SMA sends a delegation of its students to sail onboard the sail training ship Pallada which belongs to the Far Eastern State TechnicalFisheries University in Vladivostok, Russia. The primary aim is for them to interact withtheir Russian counterparts and to experience shipboard training on a tallshipWHILE a maritime career is beingseen as an increasingly attractiveproposition,SingaporeMaritime Academy and otherswithin the maritime industrystill put in a lot of effort to attractyoung people.There are scholarshipschemes available such as theTripartite Maritime ScholarshipScheme (TMSS) and SAIL (SeafaringAlternative – An Investmentfor Life) schemes for peopleinterested in a seafaring career.They are for students who wantto join the diploma in nauticalstudies or diploma in marine engineeringcourses at SMA.There are also MaritimeONEscholarships given out by theSingapore Maritime Foundationto encourage new blood to jointhe maritime industry.The funds for this come fromsponsoring companies such asThe Lloyd’s Register EducationalTrust, SMA, Neptune OrientLines and K Line.Last year, a record 34 scholarshipsworth about $1 millionwere given out.SMA also tries to provide itsstudents with a more internationaloutlook. They are givenvarious opportunities to go overseasthrough Overseas InternshipTraining Programmes, OverseasImmersion Programmes, OverseasCommunity InvolvementProgrammes and Student ExchangeProgrammes.Through these programmesSMA students are exposed to thedifferent cultures and work ethicswhich would make them moreprepared for the global maritimeindustry.For example, SMA organisesthe Maritime Experiential Learning(MEL) Camp every year, andthis year it has successfully completedits 18th run.This year’s camp involved agroup of 57 SMA students, alongwith 19 students from Japan (aspart of SMA’s exchange programmewith Oshima MaritimeCollege), three students fromNgee Ann Polytechnic and fourstudents from NTU.The camp is normally conductedon board the SuperStarVirgo as it plies the 4D3N Singapore-Penang-Phuket-Singaporeroute. The programme providesstudents with an excellent exposureto maritime activities in avery conducive learning environment.Among their experiences areseeing firsthand how ships navigatethrough the Straits of Malacca,one of the world’s busiestwaterways. They are also exposedto a marine engineering environment,where key aspects such asonboard waste management anddesalination are explained.The MEL camp helps tobridge theoretical lessons learntashore with dynamic learningsupported with real-life exposureto a shipboard environment.Further, it also helps to inculcatea global outlook in studentsby exposing them to aninternational setting, includingparticipation in the programmeby students from other overseaseducational institutions.Finally, the diverse workshopsconducted on board wouldenable the students to succeed inlife, work and in the world.Over the duration of thecamp, students are provided anexclusive tour of the vessel’s facilities,namely, the navigationbridge, the machinery space andengine room and the ship’s galley.The ship’s safety managermakes time to take students’questions on the safety, securityand commercial management ofthe vessel.Industry experts are invitedto deliver workshops, touchingon issues ranging from etiquetteto innovative problem solvingand leadership.Lastly, group bonding activitiesprovide a platform for bondingand creative presentationscontributing to a holistic learningexperience.Students from Japan, Korea,the Netherlands, China, India,and Malaysia have attended theprevious camps, in addition toSMA students.Overseas participants comefrom SMA’s partner educationalinstitutions, and add a global flavourto this unique programmeliterally “bringing the world intothe classroom”.This interaction between studentsfrom different cultures providesfor a learning experience ofa different kind.Yet another attractive overseastraining programme is thatonboard the Russian tallship SSPallada. Last year the trip saw 35students sailing from Singaporeto Ho Chi Minh City.The vessel belongs to the FarEastern State Technical FisheriesUniversity (Festfu) in Vladivostok,Russia. She calls at Singaporeas part of her round-theworldvoyage.SMA and Festfu have signeda cooperation MOU and part ofthe deal is to allow SMA to senda delegation to sail on board thisunique vessel. The primary aimis for them to interact with theirRussian counterparts and to experienceshipboard training on atallship.The shipboard training providesa unique and challengingexperience onboard a tallship.This is a rarity and exposes studentsto the use of sails and thewind in ocean navigation.It also promotes cross-culturalcohesion and networking at aninternational level.Among the talks and activitiesonboard were: environmentalmanagement, shipboard operations,navigational safety, selfresponsibility and group bonding.Students were shown howthe vessel’s desalination plant,garbage disposal and waste treatment,sewage plant work, whilein the shipboard operations component,elements such as shiphusbandry,commercial cateringand security were shown.The trip left a deep impressionon the students. “Who knewthat the decision I had made wasthe best thing that happenedthroughout my Polytechnic life.I never regretted going onboardPallada,” says Mark Koh. “Newfriendships were forged bothwith the Russians and as well asthe other 34 students from SMA,”he adds.“I came out of this trip abetter leader and with a deeperunderstanding for others,” saysZachary Loh.

Harnessing Technology 35THE NEW PAPER | 6 NOVEMBER 2012Poly adopts new technologyfor communicationStaffContactableanytime,anywhereFIXED-LINE phones will be phased outat Singapore Polytechnic (SP).From next year, SP will integrate its e-mail, voice mail, instantmessaging and video conferencing with its phone system.This allows staff members to take a phone call on their mobilephones, or through their desktop computers or laptops using abluetooth device, or as aninstant message.An SP spokesman toldTheNewPaper that this technology will“enhance staff productivity” as work can be carried out any time,anywhere.The polytechnic is the first institute of higher learning inSouth-east Asia to adopt Microsoft Unified Communications(UC), its technological partners HP and Microsoft said. SP declinedto sayhowmuchthe system costs.Students will also benefit from the system as they will be ableto access their lectures through their laptops or tablets at any location.This will make collaboration among students from differentschools within SP easier.For example, students taking thecommon Year 2 Social InnovationProjects module next year will use UC to communicateand collaborate on projects in real time even though they mightbe in different physical locations.SP’s principal, Mr Tan Hang Cheong, said: “Students out ona field survey can connect with their lecturers and classmates inPICTURE: SP Newsdifferent locations, getting instant feedback through calls, text orvideo conferencing, all ona single platform.”Agreeing, lecturer Mark Singh said he can keep in touch withstudents who are on internships or are overseas for competitions,letting him monitor their progress and offer advice.He added that in the event of a campus emergency or closure,or if a classroom is not available, the UC “can provide an alternativeby allowing me to conduct my lecture online”.Students can ask questions onUCwithout waiting for the nextclass, said senior lecturer LohChungChiang.“This allows for instant feedback. I can also share my annotationsand power points slides to provide customised feedbackaccording to the students’ needs and queries,” he said.SP students welcomed the convenience the technologywouldbring.“It would save time switching between platforms,” said18-year-old media student Ng Ching Peng. “For example, if I’mon the phone, but the information I want is stored on my Mac-Book, having a unified platform makesit faster to access information.”It will also mean that students and lecturers will not have tocreate a “secondary Facebook account to conduct schoolwork”,said design student Ian Aarron Chia.Personal versus work“I know of lecturers and friends who do that to keep their personallife separate from workor school.“With this platform, they won’t need to,” said the 24-year-old.But media student Debra Lee, 19, felt that face-to-face communicationwas still important and did not like the idea of allcommunication being reduced to “talking to a screen”.With staff and students communicable at all times and location,where does that leave work-life balance?The GMP Group’s corporate services assistant director JoshGoh said that having clear guidelines will help employees to bettermanagetheirwork and personal time.“It would reassure employees that they would not be penalisedunfairly. This also shows the management’s commitment tohelp their employees better manage their work-life integration,”he said.SP’s spokesman said there were controls, such as changing theavailability settings from Present to Not Available and setting officecalls to ring only during office hours.He said: “SP does not mandatethat its staff must read e-mailsafter office hours.“But if you’re rostered to work a certain shift, you’re expectedto answer the calls during that time.”THE STRAITS TIMES | 5 JANUARY 2012

36 Taking the LeadTHE STRAITS TIMES |6 OCTOBER 2012THE STRAITS TIMES |31 MARCH 2012EDBveteranis newpoly headThree outstanding SP graduates were awardedthe LKY-STEP Awards for Polytechnic Graduates.They are Desmond Thiam and Koh Shi Min, whoare now pursuing their medical degrees at theNational University of Singapore’s Yong Loo LinSchool of Medicine; and Tan Keng Hwee whois doing his degree in Engineering at NanyangTechnological University.The trio were selected based on their outstandingacademic results, excellent CCA Activities recordsand strong leadership qualities and potential. Theaward comes with a $3,500 one-time cash awardand waiver of tuition fees.THE STRAITS TIMES | 26 MAY 2012Singapore Polyto train KLvarsity staffWorkshops aim to makestudy of engineering morehands-onSingapore Polytechnic principal Tan Hang Cheong (left) and UTM Vice-Chancellor Zaini Ujang exchanging memorandums of understanding afterthe signing ceremony yesterday. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC