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higher education
Raffles College of Higher Education
The Learning Edge
Two students share with us how they are one step closer to their dream vocation thanks to Raffles College of Higher Education.
I by shi tianyun I
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I came to Raffles Design Institute to pursue my dream of being a jewellery designer,” exclaims Michelle Doho. The 20-year-old has always loved sparkly jewellery and it is this passion for designing and making her own wearable masterpieces coupled with the fact that Raffles Design Institute (RDI) is known in Indonesia for quality design courses that led her to leave her Indonesian hometown for Singapore.
A winning formula Michelle soon found that RDI, an institute that’s part of Raffles College of Higher Education, was the perfect place to hone her design and craftsmanship. Besides providing the essential tools and machinery every jewellery designer requires, the small class size ensures that lecturers are able to have one-toone interaction with their students. Classes emphasise on a hands-on, practical approach – lecturers demonstrate new jewellery making techniques in class every week. RDI also helps expose students to the jewellery industry by holding events, seminars and bazaars. “Recently, the jewellery department held a bazaar at the lobby of RDI. My fellow students and I were able to showcase the fruits of our hard work to the public,” enthuses Michelle. The lecturers also encourage students to participate in plenty of competitions and source for internships for further exposure. In fact, the aspiring jewellery designer credits the institute and her lecturers for her success in two jewellery design competitions since starting the programme one and a half years ago. Michelle was placed as second runner-up for her couple ring design entry in the Singapore Jewellery Design Award 2012 and her design was showcased at the Singapore International Jewellery Show.
Dedicated people This same dedication of lecturers and staff is what sets Management student Amanda Rigby’s learning journey at Raffles College of Higher Education’s Raffles School of Business (RSB) apart from the rest. “What all lecturers have in common is their discipline for deadlines and punctuality, which is important traits in the working world,” 20-year-old Amanda says. She also points out the clear communication channels between lecturers and students so they can always comfortably speak up to reinforce their understanding of a certain topic. That being said, independent learning is part of the curriculum. Amanda shares how she completed a project that involved doing 400 face-to-face surveys in three months and her sense of accomplishment when she handed in the final product complete with calculations of the surveys. In order to build up their resume and relevant skills, all students undergo an internship programme to gain professional working experience. Amanda is in the midst of her internship with media company, MEC GroupM. She says, “I was able to secure this internship with much help from my Raffles School Consultant who provided me invaluable assistance with the application process. I’ve learnt so much more in an actual working environment and interacting with my colleagues.” RSB’s international landscape has also helped Amanda widen her social network. With fellow students and lecturers that come from all around the world, like Vietnam and China, she is able to learn all about different cultures on campus, a bonus to her all-rounded education with RSB.
Amanda Lintang Larasati Rigby
Management student, Raffles School of Business
Michelle Doho
Jewellery Design, Raffles Design Institute