incoRPorate - Issue 2 / 2011

Published for industry partners of Republic Polytechnic

inCelebration Forward March

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inFocus 07 Standing Out From The Crowd

inConversation 11 Walk the Talk of PBL

2011 Issue No. 2

inProfile 14 The Mobile Man

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Editor’s Message

M

ay was a celebratory month for Republic Polytechnic (RP) as we orchestrated 10 graduation ceremonies over four days in the first week of the month. It is always heartening to see young promising RP graduates entering the next phase of their lives with excitement and confidence. They are the fruits of our collective labour and the precious human capital needed for our nation’s future growth.

Many of our graduates have attributed the success of their polytechnic education to RP’s Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. In this issue, we talk to Glen O’Grady, one of the pioneers and drivers for this initiative at RP since 2003. We find out from him how PBL has developed over the last nine years in RP, and the rise of PBL in corporate training.

Standing Out From The Crowd. See page 7.

Features inPartnership New Partnership, Greater Possibilities inCelebration Forward March inFocus Standing Out From The Crowd inConversation Walk the Talk of PBL inNovation Affordable Ergonomic Backpacks Water Works InExchange Putting RP on the Global Map RP Career Fair 2011 inProfile The Mobile Man

04 06 07 11 12 13

As we send our new graduates off with fanfare, we revisit our alumni to see how they are doing in the corporate world. Read their stories under inFocus from pages 7 to 10.

In the last quarter, we sealed a couple of partnerships with major industry players - Sony and SAS Singapore in the info-communications sector, TungLok Group and StarHub in the services sector. We are pleased to engage professionally with these esteemed organisations and hope that RP students and respective parties involved will learn, share, and benefit from such collaborations.

We look forward to your continued support and endorsement of RP as an education institution of choice.

Ronald Wong

14 www.rp.sg

Adviser Seto Lok Yin

Editor-in-Chief Ronald Wong

Editors Josephine Teo • Joey Tang

Writers Marinne Santiago •

Jamie Nonis • Jayasri Prush

Design L’arc-en-ciel Creatives

We welcome inputs from our readers. If you have an article or suggestion to improve incoRPorate, please email help-occ@rp.sg

incoRPorate is published by the Office of Corporate Communications, in partnership with Office of Technology Development and Office of Industry and Collaboration, Republic Polytechnic, 9 Woodlands Ave 9, Singapore 738964. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Information is correct at time of printing.

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inPartnership

inPartnership

TungLok Group

Republic Polytechnic (RP) actively partners the industry in research, internships, scholarships, etc. The Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) signed are testament to RP’s capabilities in developing workready students, and its capacity in solving real business problems.

An MOU was reached between TungLok Group and RP on 27 April 2011. This marks another milestone for RP School of Hospitality in its bid to further strengthen industry partnerships. The MOU also reflects the collective commitment of both parties to expand educational horizons for RP students in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry.

StarHub Ltd An MOU was signed between StarHub Ltd and RP School of Hospitality on 26 May 2011. This marks an important milestone for RP as this is the first time for StarHub to partner an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) to promote joint programmes and projects.

(L-R): Senior Human Resource Partner of StarHub Ms Teo Kim Gek, Head of Human Resource of StarHub Mrs Chan Hoi San, Director of RP School of Hospitality Mr Albert Toh, RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin.

RP School of Hospitality engaged StarHub about three years ago by inviting the company to share its dynamic contact centre industry with RP students.

Since then, the partnership blossomed and under this new agreement, StarHub and RP will collaborate on student attachment programmes, site visits, sponsorships and staff exchanges.

(L-R): Senior Vice President of TungLok Group Ms Carolyn Tan, Chief Operating Officer of TungLok Group Mr Ricky Ng, Director of RP School of Hospitality Mr Albert Toh, RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin.

Started in 2000, StarHub, the pioneer in ‘hubbing’, is a fully-integrated info-communications company that has become one of Singapore’s most innovative info-communications providers.

Sony & Republic Polytechnic I.C.E Award 2012

We are really glad to work with RP and we feel honoured that you chose us as a partner. StarHub, like you, believes very strongly in good customer service and good hospitality.

– Mrs Chan Hoi San, Head of Human Resource, StarHub

At the SAS Business Analytics Forum on 26 May 2011, SAS, a leader in business analytics software and services, forged its first phase of collaborations with RP and three other IHLs. This strategic partnership is aimed at increasing the skills, resources and competencies in Business Intelligence and Business Analytics. The collaboration enables SAS to provide the IHLs with the necessary know-how, technologies, and alignment with what the industry truly requires.

(L-R): Director of Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Information Technology Mr Lai Poh Hing, Dean of Singapore Management University’s School of Information Systems Prof Steven Miller, Managing Director of SAS Singapore Mr Bill Lee, Director of RP School of Information and Communications Technology Mr Fong Yew Chan, Dean of National University of Singapore’s Business School Prof Bernard Yeung.

Director of RP School of Information and Communications Technology Mr Fong Yew Chan (L) and Assistant General Manager of Sony South East Asia, Professional Solutions Division Mr Peter Fong (R).

– Mr Bill Lee, Managing Director, SAS Singapore

As part of Sony’s emphasis on supporting education, it is offering the top student enrolled in RP’s Diploma in Interactive and Digital Media an allexpenses-paid trip to the world’s largest broadcast event “National Association of Broadcasters Show 2012” in Las Vegas, U.S.A. The second tertiary institution to be awarded the prestigious Sony I.C.E (Independent Certificate of Excellence), RP signed an MOU with Sony on 26 May 2011 to formalise the agreement. The Sony I.C.E award recognises schools that work on the leading edge of video and VFX production, and rewards students who demonstrate a strong passion and commitment in this field.

Mr Peter Fong, Assistant General Manager of Sony South East Asia, Professional Solutions Division, said, “I hope by offering this award, it will instil a friendly competition among peers and motivate them to strive to perform well in the course of their study.”

IBM System z Academic Initiative

Under the MOU, SAS will provide scholarships to outstanding students from RP School of Information and Communications Technology. In addition, there will be internship opportunities and final year research projects with SAS.

This win-win partnership is a significant milestone for the Business Analytics community in Singapore as we look to deepen competencies in Business Analytics and inject the industry with a continuous pool of talent.

Signed by the Chief Operating Officer of TungLok Group, Mr Ricky Ng, and the Director of RP School of Hospitality, Mr Albert Toh, the MOU covers an extensive range of collaborative activities, from student attachment programmes, scholarships, book prizes, and staff exchanges to joint research in the enhancement of curriculum in the field of hospitality. The signing was witnessed by Senior Vice President of TungLok Group, Ms Carolyn Tan, and RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services), Mr Seto Lok Yin. TungLok Group owns and manages over 40 restaurants in Singapore, Indonesia, China, Japan and India. The Group has won numerous accolades from the F&B industry, including the coveted Awards of Excellence at the World Gourmet Summit 2011. TungLok restaurants have become a staple in the dining scene and have developed into recognised brands locally and internationally.

Mr Albert Toh, Director of RP School of Hospitality, said, “RP hopes that by joining forces with StarHub, we can spark off new innovations, provide platforms to new initiatives and present opportunities for the community at large.”

SAS Singapore

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On 10 May 2011, a certificate presentation ceremony was held for a group of 43 RP graduates who successfully completed the Mainframe Computing module. This year, the annual ceremony was held alongside IBM Technology Forum at Suntec City Convention Centre.

The Mainframe Computing module graduates at the certificate presentation ceremony.

In 2006, RP School of Information and Communications Technology joined institutions worldwide as part of IBM’s System z Academic Initiative to bring mainframe education to schools to grow a new generation of mainframeskilled workers. The partnership made RP the only IHL in Singapore to offer mainframe education for polytechnic students. Since then, RP has graduated 168 students who are proficiently trained in mainframe technology.

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inCelebration

inFocus

7

Forward March

Standing Out From The Crowd

The Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Graduation Ceremony 2011 was a momentous event for graduands who are about to embark on their next chapter of life.

Republic Polytechnic (RP) turns out work-ready individuals with highly desirable characteristics prized by employers. Meet five outstanding graduates who are doing RP proud in their respective fields.

Diploma Award recipient Jeffri Chandra giving his speech at the ceremony.

Guest-of-Honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (L) presenting the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science to award winner Mohamed Faruq B Mohamed Rasid (R).

RP’s Principal/CEO Mr Yeo Li Pheow delivering the opening address.

R

epublic Polytechnic’s (RP) graduation ceremony was held from 9 to 12 May 2011 to celebrate the achievements of 3,291 graduands across 10 sessions. The Republic Cultural Centre played host to the graduands, their families and friends, RP’s Board of Governors and industry partners, as well as the Guest-of-Honour, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, in his capacity as Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

In their respective speeches, Mr Yeo Li Pheow, RP’s Principal and CEO, and Dr Balakrishnan praised the achievements of the graduands and imparted words of advice for challenges the graduates would possibly face in the next stage of their lives.

According to Mr Yeo, job opportunities had already opened up for some graduates.

Among the 355 graduates from the first session of the ceremony were recipients of special awards such as the Board of Governors Award and the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science, as well as pioneer batches of students from the diplomas in Civil Aviation, Digital Entertainment Electronics, Hotel and Hospitality Management, and Game Design.

The ceremony was followed by a reception at which award recipients discussed their future plans with members of the academic party and Dr Balakrishnan. Some intended to take up offers from local universities to further their education while others planned to head into the workforce. Board of Governors Award winner Lee Jia Hui Dewi summed up her three years at RP as “an accomplishment” and a journey that has taught her to be a more self-motivated, confident and, independent learner.

The brother-sister team of Lee Cheng Shu and Lee Cheng Wei (who graduated from RP last year), both Board of Governors Award winners, felt their personal developments at RP were “life-changing”. Cheng Wei realised how Problem-Based Learning has helped him in seeking out opportunities, not just at university but in life in general.

Valedictorian for her session of the graduation ceremony, his sister Cheng Shu felt that her critical thinking, communication, and presentation skills improved as a result of the daily presentations at RP. Sharing with incoRPorate, Dr Balakrishnan said, “It is always nice to see young people on the threshold of achievement and we should encourage them to go as high as they can and take any opportunity that comes their way.”

A

ccording to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Q2/2011 by recruitment agency Manpower Singapore, 33 per cent of employers in Singapore planned to increase their headcounts during the second quarter of this year. Indeed, Singapore’s job market continues to pick up steam in tandem with the nation’s burgeoning economy.

Human resource professionals are calling the current employment landscape an “employee’s market”, in which job candidates often enjoy the luxury of choice, taking their pick from a selection of job offers. This certainly spells excellent news for RP’s latest batch of graduates.

Many employers prize polytechnic graduates for their strong skill sets and deep knowledge in their respective disciplines, as well as practical, hands-on training that they have undergone.

RP nurtures individuals to be ready for challenges that they may face in the workforce. This is why RP graduates are often recognised by the industry for their critical thinking, analytical and strong team player skills. Their ‘can-do’ attitude sets them apart from other job hopefuls.

Nurturing Problem Solvers

Student Centered

Kenneth Yap, an RP graduate with a Diploma in Micro and Nanotechnology, found it easy to transit from student to working life after graduating from RP this year, thanks to the PBL approach.

PBL Small Group Learning

In fact, this sentiment was underscored by the Graduate Employment Survey conducted in 2010 by Singapore’s five polytechnics. The survey confirmed that polytechnic graduates are well sought-after by employers, with nine out of 10 graduates managing to secure jobs last year.

And RP graduates stand out from the crowd due to the polytechnic’s unique Problem-Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy.

Collaborative Learning

“RP has done a great job in training us to be problem-based learners. We have been taught to tackle problems on our own instead of being spoon-fed. This is similar to the workplace because your superior isn’t going to teach you everything. They will teach you some things but you will have to work out the rest yourself,” he says.

So whenever a problem occurs at work, Kenneth simply takes a deep breath and asks himself, “What do I know about this problem, what do I not know and what do I have to find out in order to solve it?“ This is the simple but highly effective cornerstone of the PBL method.

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inFocus

inFocus

RP graduates are able to articulate their thoughts well and always take the initiative to learn and ask questions for what they do not understand. Kenneth is also very self-motivated.”

– Kenneth’s Supervisor, IM Flash Singapore Choon Hua, an RP graduate in 2009, now working in Globewerks International.

The 22-year-old works as a Process Technologist for the Photolithography department at flash memory producer IM Flash Singapore. His job entails monitoring the production line, calibrating process parameters, identifying, and reworking wafers.

During one particular inspection of a batch of wafers, Kenneth found that all the wafers had the same scratch signature. He used the PBL technique to identify the origin of the scratch and rectified the machine problem, before the next batch was affected. This left his supervisor duly impressed as Kenneth had taken the initiative to go beyond the call of duty and solve the problem.

Cultivating Teamwork Skills 23-year-old Goh Choon Hua graduated in 2009, and is putting her Diploma in Integrated Events Management to good use as an Events Executive at Globewerks International. Attached to the conference department, Choon Hua’s job scope involves liaising with clients and vendors, and providing support in the organising of conferences. mony 2010.

Mun Teng at RP Graduation Cere

Ho Mun Teng, a Diploma in Biomedical Sciences graduate in 2010, also appreciates RP’s PBL approach for helping to develop her into an “independent learner”.

“Whenever I come across things that I don’t understand at work, I take the initiative to look to other resources such as the Internet and books to clear my doubts,” shares the Sequencing Lab Officer at AITbiotech who analyses DNA results for a living. Her job also involves DNA sequencing and occasionally identifying bacteria.

“A conference typically requires a few departments like logistics, programme and sponsorship to liaise and work together in order to deliver an event. RP has equipped me well in the areas of teamwork and communication skills, which are essential when it comes to organising such conferences,” Choon Hua shares.

RP graduates are able to think on their feet and are not afraid to ask questions. Choon Hua’s ‘never-say-die’ trait is something very valuable in the events industry. A few years ago, Globewerks handled a major event in Singapore and a smaller one in New Zealand. Choon Hua was an intern with us at that time and was supporting another team member in the New Zealand event. It was a difficult time as the event in Singapore was over-subscribed by twice the number of expected delegates.

Everything was moving at lightning speed to manage the additional workload.

Choon Hua held the fort for the event in New Zealand. That project was beautifully executed and we have the greatest respect for Choon Hua’s tenacity and courage to stick through it.”

– Ms Goh Hong Wee, Managing Director, Globewerks International

RP has cultivated in her other important values such as being spontaneous, independent, and a team player. “I am able to answer questions at work quickly and as a good team player, I readily help my colleagues whenever they need help to accomplish tasks,” she adds. s work suit.

Kenneth in hi

Mun Teng is a good team player.

She has the confidence to solve problems and is a fast learner.”

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– Ms Jennifer Ng, Sequencing Lab Manager and Mun Teng’s Supervisor, AITbiotech

Choon Hua (R) with her colleague s in Globewerks International.

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inFocus

inConversation

Walk the Talk of PBL

One commendable quality that Aishah possesses is her ‘can-do attitude’.

We have employed other graduates from RP and they all seem to share similar traits such as being dependable, proactive and good team players.”

Director of Centre for Educational Development in Republic Polytechnic (RP), Glen O’Grady not only advocates Problem-Based Learning (PBL) but also practises what he preaches by facilitating a class of Year 1 students this semester.

– Mr Louis Poey, Operations Manager and Aishah’s Supervisor, Parkway Shenton

Q: RP is the first Institute of Higher Learning in Singapore to

adopt the PBL pedagogy. How did it start?

A: There have been a lot of initiatives to encourage innovation in

Another graduate who is grateful to RP for developing her teamwork skills, Aishah Al-Rashid says, “RP taught me to be a team player and to be patient with the people I work with even though they may be difficult to get along with. Work is work and it has to be done in a professional way. Petty things should not deter us from performing to the best of our abilities.”

Aishah, from class of 2010, now working in Parkway Shenton.

“In RP, we work in teams so everyone has to be patient with one another to discuss ideas and opinions and work together to solve a problem. Having been grouped with teammates of all sorts of characters, I am now aware of how to interact cohesively with people of different characters and personalities,” explains the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences graduate from class of 2010, who now works as a Pharmaceutical Purchaser in the Materials Management Department at premier healthcare solutions provider Parkway Shenton.

education, but they are usually focused on improving a class or a programme. Seldom do we see educational initiatives that are done so pervasively at an institutional level. This was the aim for RP when it was first set up – to adopt an effective and exciting approach to teaching and learning that would permeate the whole institution.

Q: What were some of the challenges then?

A: The challenge then was to come up with an approach that

h ght) wit from ri n. (second way Shento h a h is A ark ues in P colleag

her

would incorporate principles of good teaching and learning in a way that would be relevant to our polytechnic students. We developed a unique approach to PBL. That entailed learning that is triggered by a real world problem. Students then under the guidance of a facilitator, define their own learning issues, work in teams to find and understand new information, articulate their understandings, and demonstrate their skills and knowledge through presentations.

Q: In what ways has RP’s teaching pedagogy evolved from

the day it started?

A: We have been and are continuing to look for ways to

Bey Ni has exceeded my expectations.

Her ability to use her initiative to proactively propose solutions has encouraged me to hire more RP graduates.”

Bey Ni, from class of 2007, now working as an Operations Executive at Parkway Shenton.

Creating Effective Communicators As an Operations Executive at Parkway Shenton, 24-year-old Choong Bey Ni is thankful to RP for honing her communication skills as her job requires her to respond to internal and external customers’ enquiries and complaints, and then feedback these to all communication channels.

The daily group work Bey Ni did at RP came in handy for the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences graduate from class of 2007. The experience working with other students has enabled her to make decisions and handle operations-related issues in her current job with tact and discretion.

– Mr Louis Poey, Operations Manager and Bey Ni’s Supervisor, Parkway Shenton

enhance our educational approach. Over the last nine years, we have done many things like increase support for our students through worksheets, introduce work attachments, increase the amount of professional training, develop clearer guidelines for daily grades, etc. Today, we are currently studying how to apply e-learning to selective modules.

Q: The Centre for Educational Development (CED) is said to

be the driving force behind the PBL pedagogy in RP. What does CED do?

A: Besides championing good teaching and learning on campus,

we run a Cognitive Processes module for all Year 1 students.

CED also conducts rigorous but enjoyable, professional

Bey Ni’s other responsibilities include planning and managing issues and resources to ensure that all the company’s clinics run smoothly and achieve their KPI (key performance indicator) targets. She also conducts feasibility studies on new and existing operational processes.

Given her wide portfolio, Bey Ni certainly uses the PBL approach in her job everyday. “When faced with a problem, I will view the problem from different angles and analyse it in detail in order to find the cause and resolve the problem accordingly. Thanks to RP, I’m able to understand what I have learnt and then apply it in reallife situations,” she says.

About Glen O’Grady

11

development programmes for academic staff. Research is also a big part of CED. We like to know how our students are learning, and how we can better support them. It is also our job to advise senior management on good educational practices. So, our research extends to examining other educational systems and practices. We are thrilled that our research is published in first class international journals.

Once every two years, CED holds an international PBL symposium which brings together like-minded educators and industry practitioners who are interested in harnessing the best for their students or staff. The third international PBL symposium will be held in March 2012. It would be a really worthwhile event for our educators, trainers, and researchers.

So do come!

Q: How can PBL be applied in the

industry?

A: PBL may still be a relatively new training

approach for industry, but it has a very strong appeal and relevance for industry practitioners. The PBL approach always starts with a complex and realistic problem that requires team members to discuss and explore solutions. This parallels with what really goes on in the workplace.

This is the reason why several organisations have approached RP to do customised “Train the Trainers’ Programme” utilising PBL.

Q: You have been in the

education industry for almost your entire career.

Why the passion?

A: My work then was and is still

intriguing and enriching. I am always trying to understand and know more about good teaching and learning, applying it to my classes, and sharing what I know with my colleagues. I am blessed to lead a wonderful team in CED which is equally passionate about good teaching and learning, and committed to assisting their colleagues.

Glen graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons IIA, Double Major) in Politics and Sociology, and progressed to obtain a Master of Arts in Applied Social Research at the same university. In 2003, Glen was invited to spearhead the Centre for Educational Development in the then newly set up Republic Polytechnic. Glen holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the National Institute of Education, and has published in the fields of “Quality of Higher and Further Education”, “Teaching and Learning”, “Assessment”, and “Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)”. He is also the editor of the international newsletter “PBL Reflections” and is on the chairing committee of Pan American PBL association.

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inNovation

Affordable Ergonomic Backpacks

inExchange

Water Works Using quarry water to create multiple benefits for the community

A research team from Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Sports, Health and Leisure has invented backpacks according to the physique of local school children.

Putting RP on the Global Map

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rganised by International Game Developers Association (IGDA), the Global Game Jam (GGJ) is the world’s largest game jam event that occurs annually in late January. Held in 44 different countries simultaneously, Republic Polytechnic (RP) initiated the collaboration with the GGJ movement and became the first institution to put Singapore on the GGJ map globally.

Global Game Jam 2011@RP (GGJ 2011@RP) was held over the weekend from 28 to 30 January 2011 at RP. A Game Jam involves like-minded individuals coming together and making video games or non-digital games like board or card games.

H

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This year’s theme was ‘Extinction’. Participants had to rapidly create prototypes of game designs during the given period of 48 hours. The brief time span encourages creative thinking, which results in small but innovative and experimental games.

The inaugural event was graced by guest speakers, Executive Producer of LucasArts Singapore, Mr Gio Corsi and IGDA’s Coordinator Mr Allan Simonsen. Over 100 jammers in GGJ 2011@ RP made a total of 22 games as compared to just seven from last year. The event was recorded as the 11th largest site globally.

ealth issues arising from heavy backpack loads for school children have been on the rise recently. Young children are especially at a higher risk of developing back problems due to the increase in spine and trunk loading. One way of decreasing the deleterious impact of heavy backpacks on the skeletal health of our school children is to improve their design.

Left GGJ 2011@RP participants being briefed on the event.

Existing ergonomic backpacks are expensive and inadequate research is done on the touted efficacy of these backpacks. The School of Sports, Health and Leisure at RP was awarded the Ministry of Education Innovation Fund Grant in 2009 to develop an ergonomic backpack for lower primary school children.

The research team is led by Dr Lim Boon Whatt (Principal Investigator) and Dr Michael Koh, RP’s Senior Director of Academic Services The design of this new ergonomic backpack is based on the physique of local school children. The backpack adopts a hightop concept and it will be carried slightly higher on the body.

To evaluate the efficacy of the prototype, it was tested against conventional ergonomic backpacks using state-of-the-art equipment that measures biomechanical and physiological parameters. Each prototype was then refined and enhanced during each testing phase to further improve its design.

The project is now in the process of developing the final prototype.

Once market and field tests have been completed with the prototype, the project team will explore commercialisation opportunities with the hope of producing the ergonomic backpack at an affordable price for the mass market.

Right Participants working hard on their game prototypes.

RP Career Fair 2011 – Living Your Dreams

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n 2008, RP leased a quarry and a camp site called “The Republic Polytechnic Experiential Learning Centre @ Ubin” (RPELC@Ubin) located in Pulau Ubin to conduct land and water expeditions for teambuilding programmes.

In Pulau Ubin, residents rely mostly on well water for their drinking supply and they use diesel generators or install solar panels for electricity. However, solar panels generally decrease in efficiency when they are over-heated in the afternoons. Although the island has abundant water supply in quarries, this advantage has not been fully utilised. RP School of Applied Science team consisting of Dr Amy Choong and Dr Matthew Wong came up with a 24-month project to maximise the use of the excess water.

The team will be using the quarry water at RPELC@Ubin to cool solar panels to increase their efficiencies. In turn, the generated electrical power from the solar panels will help to power a DC water pump. It will pump the quarry water to the top of the RPELC’s shed, using the water as a coolant. At the same time, clean drinking water can also be generated via solar distillation.

Funded by Tote Board Singapore and RP, this project primarily seeks to benefit users of RPELC. Ubin residents, as well as mainland Singaporeans who live near quarries, may also benefit from the project if it is successfully implemented.

T

he 6th Annual Career Fair organised by RP was held on 25 January 2011. It attracted 56 companies which spanned across industries such as financial services, life sciences, hospitality, aerospace and healthcare. Participating companies include PSA Corporation, Changi Airport Group, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Fairmont Singapore, Swissôtel The Stamford, Marina Bay Sands and many more.

More than half of the participating companies this year were repeat exhibitors as the Career Fair has proven to be an excellent platform for companies to scout and recruit talents. In fact, some RP graduates were back helping at their organisations’ booths.

Two of them were Ms Sandy Koh and Ms Tan Hui Keian from the Ministry of Manpower.

Left The crowd of graduates at the Career Fair visiting booths to look for suitable job openings.

Right RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin (R) presenting a token of appreciation to PSA Corporation Ltd for their participation in the RP Career Fair 2011.

RP also facilitated on-campus interviews for companies such as SATS Ltd and M1 Limited who were keen to interview students on-the-spot. JobsCentral, an online recruitment portal, said that the crowd was good and the students were very responsive.

“Every year, RP Career Fair presents a platform for companies to gain access to a pool of qualified and industry-ready graduates.

It is also an important avenue for the graduates to network, meet potential employers, and seek out career opportunities,” said Mr Seto Lok Yin, RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services).

14

inProfile

The Mobile Man “Apps” is the buzzword these days. incoRPorate catches up with Friso Kluit, Manager for Mobile Applications Technology Development Centre (TDC) in Republic Polytechnic (RP), who develops apps.

Q: Hi Friso, what is your role in RP? A: I have been a facilitator in the School of Information and

Q: So far, what has been your most memorable work in RP? A: The first real project I did in RP in 2008 was the most

Q: What are your areas of specialisation in terms of research?

A: Since I took up the TDC Manager role, I have been specialising

Q: Is there any project that has been commercialised?

A: We are currently developing a software package for a

Communications Technology since RP started in 2003.

Last year, I took on the role of a TDC Manager for Mobile Applications, which means I split my time between academic work (teaching, writing and reviewing materials) and managing technology projects with industry collaborators.

in Android mobile applications and Google App Engine cloud applications. Both are relatively new and fast moving areas.

memorable. It was a personal interactive guide on the then-released Andriod platform. It was an app for tourists in Singapore. Although the app was not launched eventually, I learnt a lot from it and it formed the basis for NDP OnTheGo. The project also spun off a number of student projects.

logistics company to track their vehicles and transactions, and communicate with the driver by using Android handsets.

This project uses a lot of new and innovative technologies such as the cloud technology. Due to the low start-up costs, the company is able to venture into this project and reap the benefits of new technologies. There is also the possibility for them to scale their infrastructure when their operations increase.

Q: You were involved in the National Day Parade (NDP)

OnTheGo mobile application project last year. How did it start?

A: RP was initially approached to do some movie clips for the

NDP celebration. In the discussion, the committee mentioned they were looking to do the first mobile app for NDP, and asked if RP was interested to take up the challenge.

Together with two other colleagues, we did the design and development of NDP OnTheGo.

Q: Will you be developing another mobile application for this

year’s NDP?

A: Yes, this year’s NDP Committee wants a unique NDP mobile

app with new features. In fact, it has already been launched!

Q: So, what is different about this year’s NDP OnTheGo? A: The ‘eyecatching’ feature this year is the scanning of QR codes

(2D barcodes), which will unlock movies for the users to see.

In addition, the app can be used to share the users’ reflections on the National Day Celebrations by submitting pictures and text. They can also view other people’s reflections using the app. Last but not least, users can ballot for NDP tickets using the app.

About Friso Kluit

Friso is an educator with a passion for technology.

He obtained his Masters in Artificial Intelligence at Maastricht University in The Netherlands, where he first encountered Problem-Based Learning (PBL). His interest in PBL led him to get involved in the starting up of RP in 2003. Since then, he has put his interest in new and innovative IT technologies to use by facilitating classes, guiding final year students in their projects and working with industry partners.

Centre for Professional Development

Nurturing your

POTENTIAL

Empowering your

FUTURE

Q: How has RP helped in your professional development?

A: Recently, RP introduced a dedicated Technology Track for

selected academic staff to focus on technology development.

Staff who are on this track have their academic responsibilities reduced so that they can focus more on developing technology. This helps to overcome the challenge of balancing between academic work and research. Besides this, my colleagues in RP are a big support and form a good platform to bounce ideas off.

Q: What do you like to do for leisure?

A: I like cooking – trying new recipes, both Western and Asian.

Besides that, photography is also one of my hobbies.

Republic Polytechnic (RP) provides a conducive learning environment for students and adult learners.

The Continuing Education and Training arm of RP, the Centre for Professional Development offers various specialised skills and executive courses for aspiring professionals.

We offer a wide variety of programmes ranging from workshops to advanced diplomas that cater to your needs.

• • • • • • • • •

Specialist Diplomas Advanced Diplomas Education & Facilitation Executive Programmes Management & Communication Executive Programmes Science & Technology Executive Programmes Sports & Health Executive Programmes Service-Learning Executive Programmes Teambuilding & Experiential Learning Executive Programmes Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Programmes

Discover how you can enhance your career and enrich your personal growth with us.

For more information, please call 3100 1699, email Enquiry_CPD@rp.sg, or visit www.rp.sg/cpd

Partnering Republic Polytechnic RP seeks to work with the industry in the following areas: • • •

Republic Polytechnic (RP) has over 13,000 students 36 courses in Information and Communications Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, Technology for the Arts, Sports, Health & Leisure, Events and Hospitality, and Culture and Communication.

Problem-Based Learning approach, RP is committed to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial learning in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills and a lifelong learning attitude. RP’s academic staff come with years of industry and research experience that enhances the students’ learning in practicality and depth.

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Internship Programmes Employment Services (Career Fair, Career Talk) Giving to RP (Scholarships, Endowment, Book Prize Awards) Research & Development Projects Innovation Voucher Scheme Corporate Training Other Forms of Collaboration

Discover how RP can help meet your organisation’s needs in talent management and planning, corporate philanthropy, research and consultancy projects.

To know more, please contact onestop@rp.sg More information can also be found at http://rp.sg/industrycollaboration

RP’s mandate is to nurture skilled manpower for the economy. While RP develops industry-ready and lifeready graduates through industry-focused curriculum, synergistic partnership with the industry is also instrumental in nurturing innovation, entrepreneurial learning, professional and technical competency among the staff and student community.

inAdvance Republic Polytechnic looks forward to your participation in the upcoming events.

For enquiries, please email onestop@rp.sg YEAR 2011 09 – 11 Jun 15 – 16 Jun 20 – 21 Sep 27 – 29 Sep 07 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 04 Nov 16 Nov 19 – 20 Nov 07 Dec

Python Conference (co-organise with Python User Group) RP-BASF Joint Seminar: ExActMelt – Discover Hot Melt Extrusion Mi World Forum (in collaboration with The Right Company and Globewerks International) International Symposium on Advances in Technology Education (ISATE) 2011 RP Technology Day: Supply Chain Management and Productivity Improvement University Fair @ RP NACLI-RP Graduation Ceremony RP Partners’ Appreciation Nite 2011 RP Technology Day: Environment and Sustainability National Pushcart Challenge 2011 RP Technology Day: Health, Wellness and Nutrition