dReam Alumni Magazine June 2011 Issue by Republic Polytechnic, Alumni Services

Issue

June 2011

Alumni Magazine www.rp.sg/grad

Everything starts from a dream

A Night of Celebration Considering a University Education? 11 Smart Career Tips for 2011 Want to make a difference? RP Alumni Association Pro-Tem committee

Graduation 2011 A momentous occasion

Contents Issue

Apr 2011 - J u n 2 0 1 1

2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Editor’s Note Graduate Spotlight! Lee Jia Hui Dewi Principal’s Visit to the University of Adelaide Graduation 2011 Sn@pshots at Graduation 2011 Have you got yours yet? RP Alumni Pro-Tem Committee HOPE 3 Orientation 2011 - A Graduate’s Perspective A Night of Celebration DTA Study Trip to Hong Kong and Macau Personal Experience at the Ceremony for the Swearing-In of Singapore Ministers

11 Smart Career Tips for 2011

Calendar of Events

Momentum Dance Festival 2011 - Launch

Publisher Office of Student and Graduate Affairs Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964 Editorial Editor Graduate Services Team Artwork Zhang Miao Contributors Andrew Liew Anthony Goh Doris Teo Dr Jasmine Heng Eyra Fazira

Farouq As Sorouri Jasmine Lee Kanaga D/O Ramu Keenan Tan Kevin Lam

Maya Murni Nurhadi Khan Rodney Wong Sherman Tan

General Enquires Email dream@rp.sg URL www.rp.sg/grad dREam. An RP Alumni Magazine. Everything starts from a dream. dREam is a quarterly publication which will keep graduates informed about the happenings in RP, continual education, career opportunities, networking sessions and more, to achieve their aspirations. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in dREam are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Editor’s Note

Graduate Spotlight!

Lee Jia Hui Dewi

Hello Graduates!

Interviewed by Kanaga D/O Ramu, Graduate of 2011

ee Jia Hui Dewi, alumni of the School of Hospitality (SOH), recipient of the Diploma in Integrated Events Management, was amongst the eight students who received the Board of Governors award this year for her exceptional academic results and active participation in extra-curricular activities.

Congratulations to the 2011 graduating cohort! We hope you enjoyed reading the Yearbook 2011, which was produced by The Office of Student and Graduate Affairs (OSG). A big ‘Thank you’ to those who signed up for Club Republic when collecting the Yearbook. For those who have yet to join Club Republic, what are you waiting for? You will get to enjoy the many perks and privileges that the club has to offer. We also hope you had fun taking photos with your friends and loved ones at the instant photography booth we provided during the Yearbook collection. Missed out on watching your friends taking their photos? Don’t worry; you can view all the photos at www.facebook.com/alumniRP.

Described as a kind, polite and humble young lady, Dewi portrays the image of a role model for many students in her Diploma and the School of Hospitality. As an SOH Student ambassador, Dewi has led the way for her fellow schoolmates in depicting the image of a perfect Hospitality student who is academically brilliant and also the epitome of good character. The dREam Team managed to get in contact with Dewi and asked her a few questions about her journey in Republic Polytechnic.

Currently, OSG is in the midst of setting up a pro-tem committee, which will spearhead the formation of the inaugural Club Republic Association. All enthusiastic RP graduates are invited to join the pro-tem committee. As a pro-tem committee member, you will have a big say in the events and issues pertaining to RP graduates directly. Don’t be shy, contact us and bring along your peers who are also RP alumni. Remember a couple of months back, we conducted a survey online? We heard you! Starting from June 2011, dREam will be issued in both hard copy and soft (electronic) copy. However, to align to the green initiatives at RP, we will only be sending hardcopies to graduates who want a hardcopy of the newsletter. For those of you who prefer a hard copy, you can just “opt-in” to receive the hard copy, simply by logging in to the Graduates’ Portal and check the relevant box under ‘Update Profile’. To keep up to date with the latest happenings on Alumni matters, feel free to visit RP Graduates’ Portal at www.rp.sg/grad and ‘Like us’ at RP’s Alumni Fan Page www.facebook. com/alumnirp. Do also feel free to email Help-graduate@rp.sg with your personal updates, queries, or comments and suggestions on our services. The Graduate Services Team welcomes enthusiastic graduates to join us in the editorial team. Please contact us if you are interested. That’s all for now, from us at Graduate Services. The Graduate Services Team: Jasmine Heng, Assistant Director (Student Services) Jennie Chiong, Manager (Graduate and Career Services) Nurhadi Khan, Assistant Manager (Graduate Services) Maya Murni, Management Support Officer Office of Student and Graduate Affairs

Keep your profile current! Just drop us an email to help-graduate@rp.sg with your NRIC/FIN and your most up-to-date personal particulars such as your mobile number, residential address or email address.

Do you prefer to receive your dREam in

hardcopy?

Simply login to the Graduates’ Portal to indicate your preference at your personal profile now! (applicable for local addresses only)

dREam Team: Hi Dewi, tell us about your journey in RP. Dewi: My experience in RP has been enriching. I manage to acquire knowledge from a wide range of subjects. I was trained cognitively and I was also given opportunities to do research and solve daily problems as a team. All this had enabled me to train my ability to work effectively in a team as well as become an independent learner. dREam Team: Tell us about your experience as the Valedictorian of SOH. Dewi: It was a great experience and I’m humbly thrilled by the opportunity to represent my school in delivering a speech. I am truly honoured to help my friends in celebrating their achievements through my speech. dREam Team: Share with us your future plans. Dewi: I hope to pursue my studies and I’m considering NTU. dREam Team: Who has helped you in your RP life to be where you are right now. Dewi: God has helped me, together with the support of my parents and family. I would also like to thank the facilitators and students from the School of Hospitality who have guided and influenced me to be a better person. Thank you Dewi for answering these questions and letting us know you better! On Behalf of Republic Polytechnic, the dReam Team would like to wish you all the best in all your endeavours!

graduate spotlight

editorial

Time flies and half of 2011 has passed! Hope you are doing well and enjoying 2011. Over at RP, we have been having a blast of a time with the Orientation Programme, the Graduation Ceremony and the newly minted Pro-tem Committee.

Issue 19 Jun 2011

Principal’s Visit to the

University of Adelaide Article by Ngee Ann Kongsi – University of Adelaide

happenings

y name is Kanaga D/O Ramu, and I graduated on 12 May 2011 with the Diploma in Integrated Events Management. Let me share with everyone my experience!

Delegates from Singapore Polytechnic Mr Tan Hang Cheong, Principal (4th from left) Mr Mike Ong, Lecturer, School of Electrical & ElectronicEngineering (3rd from left) Mr Liew Hui Sing, Lecturer, School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering (2nd from left) Delegates from Republic Polytechnic Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO (2nd from right) Dr Wang Jianguo, Director, School of Engineering (1st from right) Mr Koh Chee Keat, Programme Chair, Diploma in Entertainment Electronics, School of Engineering (1st from left)

As I was from the School of Hospitality, I was wearing a beautiful golden sash. From the moment of registration to the moment we were taken into the TRCC theatre, it was a very exciting journey for me. In the waiting room, everyone was exploding with anticipation, clueless of how the day was going to end. When we were led to our seats in the TRCC theatre, we saw ourselves in the live telecast screen, walking in. Parents, siblings and supporters were watching us. My sister even got a photo of me! After getting seated, we were delivered the speeches by the Principal and guest speakers. Soon after, it was time to get our diploma! Walking up the stage and receiving my diploma from Mr Albert Toh, Director of the School of Hospitality was a precious moment for me. This was what I have been working for 3 whole years. Hearing the claps, cheers and congrats nearly brought tears to my eyes. After getting my diploma, I watched as my friends and schoolmates received their diplomas with pride and joy. After receiving our diplomas, all of us listened to our Valedictorian, Lee Jia Hui Dewi as she brought us through a journey of memories over the years. Some of the students almost cried whilst remembering the joyful times and stressful periods of Understanding Tests. When the ceremony was over, it was fun time! Everyone was taking lots of pictures with friends. We proceeded to South agora where the reception was. Students queued up to collect their yearbooks. The yearbook contained each school’s graduation cohort’s pictures and also more about the times spent and about the outstanding students. After keying in our particulars so that we can keep in touch with the school, we were so excited to take our group photos at the BaiCapture photo booth. After taking tons of pictures, embracing each other and laughing wholeheartedly, our years in Republic Polytechnic came to an end. We said our goodbyes and parted ways to look forward to our bright future. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone in Republic Polytechnic, The Republic Cultural Centre and students who helped to create a memorable graduation ceremony! Thanks!

happenings

The delegates met with a number of University of Adelaide staff, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Academic), Professor Fred Mc Dougall, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Peter Dowd, and Professor Iain Reid, Academic Director, Singapore, as well as other senior staff and students. Among the many facilities the group toured was the University’s new $100 million environmentally sustainable engineering building, Innova21. Innova21 is Australia’s first 6 Star Green Star education building. The nine level, state-of-the-art building houses staff and students from the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences. It caters for significant growth in student numbers in the Faculty – up more than 30% since 2006. The building is the flagship of the University’s $400 million capital works program.

Article by Kanaga D/O Ramu, Graduate of 2011

I have been waiting for this day for almost 3 years when I first stepped into Republic Polytechnic. This day has been exactly and even more exciting than I imagined. To be able to meet all my friends again and to get my diploma on TRCC stage was an amazing experience for me. Seeing everyone in their black robes and sashes was very heartwarming as it shows that everyone got their dream to graduate. As they crowded in front of TRCC with their parents and supporters, the graduates were full of smiles and zest for life.

epublic Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic have strengthened their ties with the University of Adelaide during a familiarisation visit at the University’s North Terrace Campus. Six delegates from the polytechnic institutions toured the University’s facilities last March and met with senior staff and students. A strong focus of the visit was to see the quality of the University’s academic programs in engineering as well as the research and teaching facilities available to staff and students, and the wide range of engineering research programs and collaboration. Representing Singapore Polytechnic was Principal Mr Tan Hang Cheong, Mr Mike Ong, Lecturer in the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Mr Liew Hui Sing, Lecturer in the School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering. Attending from Republic Polytechnic was Principal/CEO Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Dr Wang Jianguo, Director of the School of Engineering, and Mr Koh Chee Keat, Programme Chair, Diploma in Entertainment Electronics, School of Engineering.

Graduation 2011

Issue 19 Jun 2011

sn@pshots

Issue 19 Jun 2011

SN@PSHOTS! Graduation Ceremony 2011

Issue 19 Jun 2011

RP Alumni Association Pro-Tem Committee

FREE

Memb

via email and RP Alumni facebook were sent Ithenvitations out to all of you a couple of months ago to come on board Pro Tem Committee of Club Republic Association.

happenings

ership

Club Republic is an alumni club exclusively for RP graduates. With a Club Republic membership card, you will enjoy a series of privileges, which include the use of campus facilities, invites to exclusive events and waiver of the library membership fee. Plus, you get to enjoy special discounts offered by Club Republic merchants and Continuing Education & Training (CET) programmes conducted at RP. Sign up for your Club Republic membership today and enjoy the various benefits that allow you to maintain your RP lifestyle. Please log on to the Graduates’ Portal at www.rp.sg/grad

The committee will eventually run Club Republic, with the support of RP’s Office of Student and Graduate Affairs (OSG). With the Club Republic Association, we hope to establish greater connections amongst graduates, strengthen alumni affiliation with RP and develop a vibrant alumni community in RP, not forgetting to bring the fun elements and useful programmes for your future advancements. There were a few enthusiastic alumni members who heeded the call and have been regularly meeting up with OSG’s Graduate Services team to work on setting up the committee as well as to organise exciting activities to better engage all of you. Let us introduce to you who they are:

Log on to the

Graduates’ Portal

at www.rp.sg/grad

Benefits Graduates’ Lounge Club Republic members can enjoy access to the Graduates’ Lounge. This room is designed with your needs in mind. Come, chill out and catch up with friends. Republic Polytechnic Library RP Library membership is available to graduates at $200 per year. Membership is waived for Club Republic members. Sports Facilities The privilege of being a Club Republic member also means the opportunity to use all the sporting facilities available here at RP. Continuing Education and Training Programmes RP provides adult learners with skill and knowledge upgrading programmes for those who wish to enhance their careers or for personal growth. Club Republic members enjoy up to 10% off the nett fees payable for courses published on www.rp.sg/cpd

...and many more!

Club Republic Merchants As treasured members of the RP family, Club Republic members enjoy the best deals from our Club Republic merchants, located island-wide, offering a wide range of discounts to suit your every need. Visit www.rp.sg/ grad for more details.

Year 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011

School SIT SAS SAS SEG SEG SAS SIT SAS STA SIT SIT SHL SHL SHL SAS SIT SEG STA SOH SOH STA SHL

Wikipedia: Pro tempore best translates to “for the time being” in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person or a committee who acts as a placeholder in the absence of a position. In Republic Polytechnic (RP) context: This Alumni Association Pro-Tem committee is formed to assist RP to establish connections with RP alumni and to set up the alumni association (Club Republic Association) for RP.

Come support

us at

IGNITE 2011! One of the major events the Pro Tem Committee will be participating in is IGNITE 2011! Our doors are still open for other alumni members to join the pro-tem committee. If you are keen to contribute back to RP, do join us for these meetings by contacting us at help-graduate@rp.sg.

Timeline

International S-L Projects All graduates are invited and welcomed to join and participate in ISLPs in RP upon approval by the staff advisors and leaders of the trip. Pushcarts Rental Pushcarts rental are now available for Club Republic member! For application details, please visit the Graduates’ Portal at www.rp.sg/grad

Name Kevin Lam Li Yijun, Damien Mohd Hadi Bin Mohd Hayat Shanmugam Sivam Ashan Sasitha Abeyratne Kan Chee Hoo Ong Jun Hao, Kenny Goh Cheng Ze, Glenn Huang Liwei Jamie Han Lwin Oo, Dennis Leong Jiawen, Kelvin Nur Soleha Kamal Tan Kok Hui Tengku Norharlinie Lee Cheng Wei Shakir Hozefa Shabbir Wang Conghao Ethan Lee Chin How Gordon Tan Ping Hong Saw Wei Li Xie Zhi Jie Yeo Xin Ying

What is a Pro-Tem Committee?

Join the RP Alumni Group! www.facebook.com/alumniRP

Phase 1 (By June 2011) Setup Pro-Tem Committee

Phase 2 (July 2011 - March 2012) Pro Tem Committee Members’ participation at RP activities/events

Phase 3 (By April 2012) Formation of Alumni Association

11 Issue 19 Jun 2011

Issue 19 Jun 2011

HOPE 3 By Jasmine Lee, SAS Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science

Orientation 2011

For this trip, our host partner organisation was The Mirror Foundation. It was founded in the year 1991, being a nongovernment organisation based in northern Thailand in Chiang Rai’s Province. The main purpose of this trip was to support the Mirror Foundation in their goal of creating better opportunities for the hill tribe communities. We tapped on funding from National Youth Council’s Youth Expedition Project (YEP) fund. As a Republic Polytechnic alumnus, you can join us on an ISLP and receive funding from YEP too.* These 12 days was a rare experience for all of us because we were exposed to areas where we would normally not have been. Living in a village is totally different from living in a city; we slowed down our pace of life, learned to appreciate everything that we do and enjoyed moments spent with friends. We gained an understanding of their culture such as their daily routine, the food they eat, what they normally do for a living and also a better understanding of their social issues.

A Graduate’s Perspective

Article by Kevin Lam, Graduate of 2006 The Mirror Foundation team greeting us at the airport the one unifying experience that brings Ithet’severy new student together at the start of RP journey - it’s Orientation. For many of us, Orientation brings back memories of all kinds, including the trepidation of starting a new journey, meeting new friends, starting a new chapter of your life in a strange and unfamiliar environment. For some, it would be the first time reporting to school without a uniform, and for others, it would be the first time stepping back onto campus since finishing national service. Singing and dancing with the school children

We built and painted toilets to contribute to the community’s facilities. We also went to the local school and conducted activities for their students on English, mathematics, art and craft, shared hygiene practices and played games with them. In addition, we presented pre-owned books and toys to the school. One student shared, “I learnt about myself that I have learnt to always give it a try to do things and taking initiative, I have also learnt to be more open and adapt to things much easily and friends are important.” Apart from the hard work and labour, we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest! We visited the white temple, a religious monument, and also the Hall of Opium, where we gained an understanding of the history of opium and how illegal drugs had affected the Thai. In all, it was a fulfilling trip for all of us where we learnt and served.

My journey began in 2003, when Orientation was a 2-day affair, with a few icebreaking games at the start (where I learned that an M&M can be a very dangerous ‘gift’), followed by an introduction to our laptops and the (in) famous LEO on the second day before we all headed home and school started next week. Strangely, I can still remember it like it happened last week - the crisp feel of the wood tables in the library at the Tanglin campus and the smell of the freshly-laid carpet in the tower blocks. And yet the years flew by all too fast... I graduated, became a busy working professional... and then decided to come back.

Clearing the foundation for the toilet

We look forward to having you join us for such service-learning experiences, made more affordable now with YEP funding. For more information on RP ISLPs, you can go to www.rp.sg/ osg/s-l or contact Keenan at 31001590 or keenan_tan@rp.sg. *For Singaporean and International students, YEP funding ranges from 35-50% and 17.5-25% respectively.

Taking a picture with the villagers

I recently had the opportunity to attend my 4th Orientation. 4th? How does that work - don’t you just attend one? Well yes, I’ve attended one (my own), and subsequently had the privilege to attend three more Orientation events as a graduate volunteer. That means I have come full circle, graduating and then returning to campus to lend a hand. Like RP itself, the whole experience has changed tremendously. This certainly wasn’t the low-key Orientation 2003 with a few hundred students which I remember. This is now a whole new event on an epic scale, and if you’re not sure whether it qualifies for ‘epic’ - try checking in, grouping, feeding, playing games with, equipping, briefing, and

partying with about five thousand people. I can guarantee if you were around during the old days, you wouldn’t recognise it. The three day affair opens with a bang when new students are grouped into large teams of 10-15 people, each with a couple of student leaders, and sent off on the Principal’s Cup - a marathon of 40 different game stations where teams accumulate points. Points are tallied per team and then on a per-school level, to ultimately decide which school will hold aloft the Principal’s Cup at the end of OP. As for the spectrum of indoor and outdoor games, they are as diverse as the schools and centres which organise them, ranging from which team can build the longest line with various articles they are carrying on them, to treasure hunts in the library, to human foosball and attempts to flip over a canvas mat with the entire team packed tightly onto it. Day 2 is relatively calmer, and the traditional introduction to LEO and other administrative matters is carried out in the form of ‘spot your pod’, which also teaches the freshies to navigate the great halls of Woodlands campus. But all is not lost, for there is still time in the afternoon to learn the Team Republic Echo, to conceptualise and put together the skits and performances that will cap off all the hard work the various schools have done on day 3. As with all good productions, the laughter, the mistakes, the outtakes and the bloopers behind the scenes are memories that will stay with many freshies long after the performances have been delivered. Day 3 is D-Day. THE day. Everything comes together on day 3. It starts with what has become a RP tradition - the Tug O War. Students battle it out in a school-vs-school fight on the astroturfed soccer field behind the Sports Complex where the winner not only takes it all; they get a chance to go up against the management team. Yes, ever seen RP’s top management roll up their sleeves? Think the younger students have an edge? Here’s

the catch: you’d be surprised who wins year after year consistently. The afternoon will still be devoted to putting the final touches on the skits that freshies will shortly deliver at the stage on the Lawn. After an early dinner, all five thousand freshies are decamped to the Lawn, which by the end of the night of cheering, screaming and dancing, will turn into a pool of fresh mud (this reporter was glad to be wearing boots. I guess they tell you “covered shoes” for a reason!). The evening is the highlight: school performances open the evening, for which they also accumulate points, which are then tallied to determine which school will host the Principal’s Cup. After the Principal’s address to the incoming class, the Cup is presented, followed by a no-holds-barred showcase of all the best performing arts talent that RP has to offer, named Jam and Hop, as the night turns into one gigantic nonstop party under the stars, late into the evening. Orientation Programme (or OP for short) has come a long way since humble beginnings on our Tanglin campus. While I have tried to present a brief snapshot of what happens in 72 exhilarating hours here, words are in no way adequate to capture the energy, the positivity, the ‘can-do’ spirit, the power, promise and potential of the event. Believe me when I say OP is THE party of the year and THE event to attend. I have been involved for three years straight and every year, it just gets better. Or, instead of asking you to believe me, allow me to extend you an invitation to (re)live the best part of the OP experience for yourself. I know many of you have busy lives and careers. You might not be able to take leave to attend during the day, but let me invite you to the Jam and Hop at Orientation 2012, on Friday evening after work or after school. If you’ve ever missed the thrill of your own student days, this is where you can share in them all over again. Don’t feel awkward, just come up to the Lawn and say hi to your former facilitators, many of whom will be there, as well as many new faces. Support your juniors, take photos, cheer from the sidelines or simply enjoy the music: it’s all up to you. Know that you are always welcome back on campus as a graduate. Keep the date - I’ll see you next year at our tenth anniversary: OP2012!!

happenings

eing away from the fast paced and hectic city life and spending time in the slow paced and picturesque Karen hill tribe village was what 23 students including myself wanted, when we embarked on our 12-day HOPE 3 Service-Learning journey to Chiang Rai, Thailand, from 10th to 21st March 2011.

Article by Farouq As Sorouri B Ismail, Graduate of 2011

Article by Anthony Goh, DTA Programme Chair

n the 2nd of April 2011, many graduating students and staff from the School of Applied Science (SAS) gathered at Fort Canning Park where the SAS Graduation Party was held. It was a time to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments over the 3-years spent at Republic Polytechnic (RP) and it signified the start of a new chapter in the lives of the graduands. The celebrations kicked-off with a sumptuous dinner buffet and a video montage put together by Chan Kin Shen (Diploma in Materials Science graduate) to reminisce the various activities that made the RP learning journey memorable. Laughter and excitement filled the entire night as these new SAS graduates enjoyed the company of each other while being entertained by the performances from Hip Hop IG, Magic IG, as well as song performances by SAS staff, Eric Kwek and Lena Lee. The night ended with the crowning of the ‘Prom King and Queen’! It was a night of triumph where one part of the learning journey ends and soon, a new one begins. Congratulations to the Class of 2011!

group of 14 students from the Diploma in Technology and Arts Management (DTA) went on a study trip to Hong Kong and Macau from 3 to 8 March 2011, led by Programme Chair, Anthony Goh. The group visited the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), Osage Kwun Tong and the Hong Kong Disneyland. Students also caught a New York City Ballet performance at the HKCC Theatre, a production of the Hong Kong Arts Festival 2011. On this trip, DTA successfully completed an articulation agreement with the HKAPA that will grant all DTA graduates that meet the stipulated requirements, advance standing of up to 2 years for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) degree with the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts. This will enhance our graduates’ competitive advantage in the areas of Arts, Events and Stage Management, Theatre Design and Entertainment Design and Technology.

happenings

Issue 19 Jun 2011

A Night of Celebrations!

DTA study trip to Hong Kong & Macau

Personal Experience at the Ceremony for the Swearing-In of Singapore Ministers

11 Smart Career Tips for 2011

Article by Sherman Tan, CCC Diploma in Communication and Information Design

Source: TechRepublic, Online. http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/career/11smart-career-tips-for-2011/2712, January 12, 2011, 4:21 AM PST

had the honour of representing Iswearing-in Republic Polytechnic to attend the 2011 ceremony. To be able to meet

When I arrived at the Istana, I was amazed at how huge it was! It was almost twice the size I thought it would be. The view inside the Istana was similar to what we see outside, where it consists mostly of trees accompanied by a long stretch of road. Security was very tight as there were many guard posts around the compound checking our bus again and again. Upon reaching the venue, I was ushered to a room filled with bright red velvet chairs and beautifully crafted chandeliers. Luckily for me, I sat by the aisle, allowing me to pop out my head from time to time, to get a better view of the swearing-in ceremony. Everything went well, from the arrival of the President to the end of the Prime Minister’s speech. The post ceremony reception was held on the lawn which had a magnificent fountain. There was also an orchestra playing soothing classical music. Furthermore, there were many various types of food lined up ranging from the traditional Malay food to the modern buffet style dinner. After the ceremony, Ministers and invited guests made their way to the lawn for the photo-taking session and dinner. At the post ceremony reception, I mingled around with a few of the ministers, such as his Excellency himself, Mr S. R. Nathan and even the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. Several questions were raised during our conversations such as, “What do I think of the Swearing-In Ceremony?” and even “What are the concerns that young Singaporeans have these days?” They also shared about their insights and their views of a better Singapore. I managed to speak with the Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and as well as the ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr George Yeo. When conversing with them, I never felt pressurized because they made me feel really comfortable as though I’m talking to a friend. They are both very

humble and easy-going gentlemen! It was also a pleasure to joke with the newly appointed Minister of Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat, when he asked about communicating with the younger generation of Singaporeans. He asked if the internet was the best way to reach out to teenagers and I answered “yes” without hesitation. He jokingly replied that maybe he should start using social networking sites to connect to us. Although I have met many ministers during the event, I didn’t have the chance to speak with our founding father, Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew, as security was extremely tight around him. I didn’t dare to approach the bodyguards as they had really stern looks thus I had to, with much regret, walk away in vain. During this ceremony, I’ve gained much knowledge about the ministers themselves and the plans they have for Singapore for the future. I would like to share my experiences from the event : when meeting with very important people, just be yourself, but still portray a good image. All that needs to be done is to be courteous and ready for advice. These advice will come in handy because it really helps with character building and gives us loads of inspiration for the future. Last but not least, I would like to thank Republic Polytechnic for giving me this opportunity to attend such a big ceremony as I’ve gained valuable experience from it.

1. Take responsibility for your own career development.

Many large organisations have scaled back on training and development-a common outcome of the economic downturnand small companies can rarely provide significant support. Simply put, your career rests in one set of hands: yours.

2. Be strategic. Have a long-term career strategy or, at the very least, a sense for where you’re headed. Ask yourself, “What do I really want to do?” or “Where do I see myself in five to ten years?” Seek people in similar roles and ask for their advice.

3. Work in step with your company’s goals. Connect

the dots from your role to your company’s vision and key objectives. How does your work align with the organisation’s goals? What can you do to maximise your contributions?

4. Be customer-centric. Whether your customers are internal or external, know their wants and needs, and be fervent about meeting them. Bring the voice of the customer into your day-to-day work and let it enhance your decisions and deliverables.

5. Collaborate. Working with and through others is requisite to innovating, creating, and producing business results. Adopt a mind-set for teaming and collaborating, and put it into daily practice.

Article by Eyra Fazira, STA Diploma in New Media dle chatter and laughter could be Iafternoon heard from the South Agora, on the of 19th May 2011, as a huge crowd gathered in front of a small stage. All of them had eager looks on their faces and it really was not a surprise. It is the launch of Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) very own annual dance festival – Momentum! Already in its fourth year, Momentum features the best dance groups in Singapore schools, using it as a platform for dancers to showcase their creative and exhilarating choreographies. This year, the theme is “Emotions in Motion.” Kicking start the launch, the second runner-up of One Moment of Glory (OMG), Luminiq Crew, took to the stage first and hyped up the crowd with their lively performance, combining body spins and power moves with an amusing twist that features their distinctive b-boying roots.

6. Hone your communication skills. Communication skills

A Latino version of Usher’s “Yeah!” came on and RP’s Latin Dancesport Interest Group (IG) were next, entertaining the crowd with their sizzling couples’ dance routine on stage, before giving way to the crowd’s favourite – the Flair Brothers! Their humorous piece had gotten cheers and catcalls from the crowd because of their fusion of feminine styles.

7. Cross over functionally. Many successful executives have

There was already an energetic, vivacious atmosphere in the crowd when RP’s Salseros from Salsa Dance IG came on stage afterwards, clad in their brilliant black and gold outfits. They managed to dazzle the audience with their hot moves, which are all carefully synchronised with the strategic side stepping and impressive dips. The female dancers definitely got wolf-whistles from the viewers, that’s for sure!

can make or break careers. Pick one area that needs your attention-considering skills such as listening, presenting, influencing, persuading, or distilling messages-and commit to improvement. Take a class, practice with a trusted friend or colleague, or join a group such as Toastmasters. risen through the ranks by taking cross-functional roles, such as moving from finance to sales or from marketing to IT. Follow their lead and you can grow your skills, your network, and your political capital.

8. Expand your experience. Volunteer for special projects

or assignments that are outside your everyday role. Discuss your goals with your boss, an HR representative, or a senior leader, and ask for help in finding opportunities to broaden your experience base.

Ending the Momentum launch with a blast were the energetic Fantastic Forze, a dance group with all its members dressed in bright, exuberant colours, that made use of props to draw the audience in. Viewers could even be seen bopping to the catchy rhythm and clapping along!

9. Find a guide. Mentors can serve as influential role models

It was immediately apparent that the launch left the crowd wanting more, so it was definitely not surprising that the tickets for the Momentum 2011 Main Showcase, happening on 27th and 28th May, were sold out!

and provide important guidance for your career. Reach out to a potential mentor within your company or industry and see if he or she would be open to mentoring you for a specific purpose and timeframe.

10. Network-now. The best time to increase your network

is today. Starting now, get involved in groups such as professional associations, charitable organisations, or even sports leagues. Step into leadership roles and make your expertise known.

11. Specialise. Today, companies look for specialists, not

generalists. Develop a personal brand, distinguish your skills and strengths, and determine how to best market yourself.

happenings

the ministers in person was something that I’ve never imagined!

Article by Kathryn Ullrich

Momentum Dance Festival 2011 – Launch

15 Issue 19 Jun 2011

Issue 19 Jun 2011

Calendar of Events

Office of International Relations

2 - 3 Jun

1 - 2 Jul

9 Aug

Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

Happy 46th Birthday Singapore!

CPD Programme: Demystifying Contract Law for Non-lawyers Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

7 Jun

CPD Programme: Creativity and Innovation Workshop

Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

17 Jun

CPD Programme: Introduction to Service-Learning

Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

18 Jun

JobCentral Workshop: How to manage your manager

Time: 9am - 1pm Venue: Singapore Management University

27 Jun - 22 Jul

RP Event: “Caring for Your Wellness” – Wellness Month Campaign Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus RP students can look forward to our series of talks, workshops and roadshows during this annual signature wellness campaign organised by Office of Student and Graduate Affairs (Student Wellness).

RP Event: Body Shop Roadshow and Sharing Session

Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

8 Jul

CPD Programme: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Workshop Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

10 Jul

RP Event: The Republic Run 2011

Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus Come join us in this annual event organised by Republic Polytechnic and Nam Hong Welfare Service Society.

11 - 15 Jul

RP Event: “Are They Really Safe?” AIDS/HIV Exhibition Venue: Republic Polytechnic South Agora

11 - 13 Jul

RP Event: HPV Cervical Cancer Roadshow

Venue: Republic Polytechnic South Agora

23 Jul

JobCentral Workshop: The Art of Networking

Time: 9am - 1pm Venue: Singapore Management University Learn effective networking skills and strategies and through role-plays, gain confidence in making the most of any networking opportunity that you face.

• For more information on CPD programmes, please visit www.rp.sg/ cpd. Club Republic members would get to enjoy the CPD programmes at a discounted rate. • For more information on JobCentral Workshop, please visit www.rp.sg/grad. • For more information on other RP events, please email us at help-graduate@rp.sg Information is correct at the point of print.

30 Jul

Mendaki Event: Graduates’ Tea 2010 “Mastering Fundamentals, Conquering Pinnacles” Venue: TBC The MENDAKI Club Graduates’ Tea is an annual platform to celebrate the achievements of the graduates from polytechnics, local and overseas universities of Class 2010 to 2011. This event is by invitation only.

20 Aug

JobCentral Workshop: How to Write Resume’s: Looking from an Employer Perspective Time: 9am - 1pm Venue: Singapore Management University Learn how to write your cover letter and resume in a way that best highlights your accomplishments, key skills and experience for the job/s you are applying for.

NTS HNIC STUDE C REPU E T Y L B O P L IC POLYTECHN PUBLIC REE IC STUDENT XCLEALTAUTQUQ S E C EX

To date, there are over 500 articulation agreements in force. Many choices are available for graduates proceeding to specialise in their field of study or “top up” their diploma towards a Bachelor in a Business field. Increasingly many choices have become available for all RP Graduates.

During Semeste r 1, 2010, 59 Republic from stud ents from Rep(UQ). Polytechnic , 59 students 2010 r 1,stud and ublic ied at The Univ ty of Queensl During Semeste The Universi ersity of Queensland nic studied at (UQ). Polytech Many of thes eight e students ach y results and plar exem ieve d d exemplary mendation received the achieve ents results and eigh dist Com inguished honof a Dean’s of these stud Manyfor t High Ach de Deaeste ished honour our of a sem Gra n’s r ingu Com ieve dist men men the t, receivingoverall dation ived recePoin t Aveieve t, receiving an an overall semester rage men of 6.00 Grade er. (out of 7.00 for High Ach ) or )high or higher. 6.00 (out of 7.00 t Average of Poin The High following stud for ents receivedDean’s Commendation a a Dean’s Com Achievement ents received their licise mendatio and have give n for High following stud n for UQ to pub n perm The issio issio nam n perm n for UQ to pub es: and have give licise their Achievement Mr Kailu es: n Donovan nam Huang r of Science helo Bac Bachelor of Scie Ms JingTing ovan Huang nce n Don munication Ye Mr Kailu helor of Com Bachelo Bac r of Commun MissJing Ting ication eenYe Kaur Sandhu Ms Gurv helor of Science Bachelo Bac dhu r San of r Scie Ms YenGurv Kau nce een Miss Siew Loi helor of Science Bac Bac helor of Science Ms Seo Loi k Wei Siew nce Lim Ms Yen Scie of helor Bac Bac helor of Science Mr WeiSeo k Wei GohLim Ms Hau helor of Science BacBac helor of Science Miss Jelisa Hau y Mr Wei MingGoh rui Lin helor of Veterinar Bac Bac helo r of Veterinary Lin rui Miss Jelisa Ming Science Science UQ congratulat further es these stud and wishes them ents entswish success in thei these studand es them ulates r stud er. further ies, and a briga bright care UQ congrat r studies, and ht career. success in thei

For information on articulation opportunities, please refer to www.rp.sg/FurtherStudies. Interested graduates may also contact the Office of International Relations (University Relations) for more details and clarification.

27 Aug JobCentral Workshop: How to Ace Your Interviews

Time: 9am - 1pm Venue: Singapore Management University Learn the big secret that can help you go from being a potential candidate, to a successful applicant and important tips to ace your interviews.

30 Aug Hari Raya Puasa

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Get refowr arearddineg d dREam!

For this issue of dREam, we are giving away at random 3 pairs of Movie Tickets. All you have to do is read the magazine and answer the following question correctly.

To date, how many articulation agreements are in force with Republic Polytechnic?

To participate, simply email your answer to dream@rp.sg with your name, NRIC and Club Republic membership number. Closing date for the contest is 31 July 2011. All winners will be notified by email. Terms and Conditions: • Only Club Republic members qualify to participate in this contest • The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence or claim in relation to the judges’ decision will be entertained.

University Articulation and success stories Erandi graduated from Republic Polytechnic

in 2007, Diploma in Business Computing (With Distinction) and went ahead to pursue a part time degree with advance standing. She recently completed her degree programme and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (With Merit) from the University of South Australia.

Ashan balanced both academia and student life

activities perfectly. He was the top performer in Diploma in Industrial and Systems Engineering and held the positions of President and Vice President in various Interest Groups. Ashan pursued his further education in SMU, with credit exemptions, and graduated with a Bachelor in Business Management (Hons). Ashan is currently working at SingTel.

Surani made history at Republic Polytechnic in

2010, when she graduated with a perfect GPA of 4.0, the first for the School of Engineering. She also won the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew award for Mathematics and Science. Surani will be pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, with a full scholarship from Singapore Technologies Endowment Program.

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RP success stories continue with Graduates going overseas to further their studies with advance standing. They have done RP proud. Media releases from the University of Queensland, where an average of 55 RP graduates are enrolled annually since 2009, have announced that graduates from RP have consistently received the Distinguished Honor of a Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement. This is an award for overall exemplary performance in their courses. B

4, 11, 18, and 25 Jun

6 - 8 Jul

National Day

he office of International Relations of the Republic Polytechnic looks at organising pathways for RP Diploma graduates to articulate towards undergraduate courses at NUS, NTU SMU, as well as top universities in Australia and the UK, with a year or more off their degree programmes.

er Number 00025

Venue: Republic Polytechnic Campus

RP Event: IGNITE! Music Festival

CRICOS Provid

CPD Programme: Effective Marketing for New Business

Article by Rodney Wong, Assistant Director - Office of International Relations

08 August

er Number 00025

07 July

CRICOS Provid

06 June

(University Relations)

Similar successes were also recorded at Monash University where they record an average of 50 RP graduates enrolled annually since 2007. Many have performed well with a few first class honours achieved and 5 have proceeded to read a Master’s degree and 3 are currently pursuing their PhD. It is heartening to note that RP graduates are not only performing well beyond their diploma stage, but have also been first-rate in their performance. More of RP diplomas have also been accepted for credit exemptions of a year or more of a degree program at top named universities in Australia and the UK. This speaks well of the quality and recognition of RP diplomas and reassures parents that RP diplomas are of global standards. Come down to the 2011 University Fair @ RP on Friday 21st Oct and meet representatives from top universities brought to you by the Office of International Relations, Republic Polytechnic. Bring your parents down for talks on “How to best select the University for you”, “How to finance your further studies” and find out from experts on industry trends about the best paying careers and qualifications.

Visit the

University Fair @ RP 21 Oct 2011