incoRPorate - Issue 2 / 2012 by Republic Polytechnic

Published for industry partners of Republic Polytechnic

inCelebration 03 $3 million donation from Ngee Ann Kongsi

inFocus 07 Innovating for a Better Future

inNovation 12 Fitting Made Easy

2012 Issue No. 2

inConversation From Science to Life

inCelebration

Editor’s Message

he celebratory month of May has once again arrived. It is the month Republic Polytechnic (RP) held our graduation ceremonies to give a rousing send off to budding young men and women as they embark on new careers or higher academic pursuits. RP’s 7th graduation saw more than 3,900 graduates bidding adieu to RP, and taking bold and confident steps into the next phase of their lives. Also in May, RP received its largest single donation of $3 million from Ngee Ann Kongsi. With this generous gesture, we are able to help more needy students in their educational pursuits in RP and ensure no student is left behind due to financial reasons. Our sincere thanks to our benefactor, Ngee Ann Kongsi! Biomimicry is an innovation method that seeks sustainable solutions by imitating nature’s patterns and strategies. Spider silk is an example of biomimicry. See Page 7 – Innovating for a Better Future.

Features inCelebration RP celebrates with its 7th batch of graduates $3 million donation from Ngee Ann Kongsi inPartnership SEMI Southeast Asia Frasers Centrepoint EpiCentre The Waterside Inn Sage Software Solutions inExchange 3rd International PBL Symposium inFocus Innovating for a Better Future inReality Learning the Ropes from the Boss inNovation Fitting Made Easy inConversation From Science to Life inProfile ‘Green’ Thumbs-up for Amy

Adviser Seto Lok Yin Editor-in-Chief Ronald Wong

03 04 06 07 11 12 13 14

As the human population increases at a rapid rate, finding alternatives to counter the scarcity of resources has evolved into a necessity. This issue, we look at the results of some of our research projects. From Omega-3 pellets to power-generation devices, these projects are playing vital roles in innovating for the future. In line with our “Science and Environment” theme this issue, we also talked to Dr Terence Chong, Director of the School of Applied Science, and Dr Amy Choong, an avid environmentalist. Read more about them on pages 13 and 14. Lastly, I would like to extend a warm invitation to you, our industry partners, to join us at the Technology Forum 2012 on 7 September 2012. This forum brings together professionals from industry and academia to share the latest technology trends, insights, and best practices in the Environment, Supply Chain, and Healthcare and Wellness arenas. Enjoy the issue and happy reading!

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

Editors Josephine Teo • Joey Tang Writers Marinne Santiago • Karsten Cramer Design Noelle Tan

RP celebrates with its 7th batch of graduates

epublic Polytechnic (RP) held its seventh graduation ceremony at The Republic Cultural Centre from 15 to 18 May 2012. Over the four days, more than 3,900 graduates received their graduation certificates. In his speech to the graduates, RP’s Principal/CEO Mr Yeo Li Pheow highlighted RP’s focus on providing opportunities for students to gain a practice-based and industry-relevant education in fields where skilled professionals are in demand.

Guest-of-Honour Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, commended RP for embedding the 21st century competencies in its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy for all its diploma programmes. “Mastering these competencies will prepare them (the students) well to thrive in our world that is highly connected and rapidly evolving,” said Mr Heng. During the graduation ceremony on 15 May, Mr Yeo also launched the renamed ACE@RP (Academy for Continuing Education @RP). The new name better reflects RP’s programmes in the field of continuing education and training, which cover a broader range of curricula in the adult professional education space.

Top Special Award winners with Education Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat (centre). Bottom Father Mikael Loke and daughter Shereen Loke (both centre) graduated during the same ceremony.

As RP reaches a key milestone – its 10th anniversary this year, it now boasts a student population of over 14,000 and an offering of 38 full-time diploma programmes. “Rather than just an academic process, we see education as a state of mind, culture, and experience that helps students discover their true talent, transform into the best they can be, and achieve their goals, even beyond RP, ” added Mr Yeo.

$3 million donation from Ngee Ann Kongsi

epublic Polytechnic (RP) received its largest single donation of $3 million from Ngee Ann Kongsi on 15 May 2012. This donation will be used to set up an endowment fund for scholarships and Ngee Ann Kongsi awards.

Ronald Wong

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 print.

Present at the meaningful event were witnesses Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat and Chairman of RP Board of Governors Mr Richard Seow, committee members of Ngee Ann Kongsi, board members and senior management of RP, and industry partners. In his address, RP’s Principal/CEO Mr Yeo Li Pheow thanked Ngee Ann Kongsi for the generous contribution which would enable RP to continue providing ample opportunities for all students in their pursuit of academic excellence. Mr Goh Kim Hock, Ngee Ann Kongsi’s Chairman of Education, Scholarship and Bursaries Committee, said, “Education is the cornerstone of Ngee Ann Kongsi’s activities and we have built strong and enduring partnerships with many educational institutions in Singapore. We would like to congratulate Republic Polytechnic on the high standards of education it has achieved over the last 10 years, and we are happy to partner RP in contributing to educational excellence and shaping our future generations.”

(L-R): RP’s Principal/CEO Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Chairman of RP Board of Governors Mr Richard Seow, Education Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat, President of Ngee Ann Kongsi Mr Teo Chiang Long.

We would like to congratulate Republic Polytechnic on the high standards of education it has achieved over the last 10 years, and we are happy to partner RP in contributing to educational excellence and shaping our future generations. – Mr Goh Kim Hock, Chairman of Education, Scholarship and Bursaries Committee, Ngee Ann Kongsi

inPartnership

(L-R): Director of RP School of Engineering Dr Wang Jianguo, RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin, President of SEMI Southeast Asia Mr Terry Tsao, President of SEMI Global Semiconductor Business Mr Jonathan Davis.

SEMI Southeast Asia

EpiCentre

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between SEMI Southeast Asia and Republic Polytechnic (RP) during SEMICON Singapore 2012 on 24 April 2012. Under this partnership, RP students can join the SEMICON University programme where they can gain valuable insights and technology developments from mentors in the semiconductor industry. The partnership also encompasses internship opportunities with local and global leading companies.

With the increasing demand for greater retail mobility, Singapore-based IT retailer EpiCentre Pte Ltd recently launched a mobile commerce (m-commerce) platform called EpiLife-On-The-Go. It is the first retail store with an end-to-end m-commerce retail strategy in Singapore.

“It is a win-win cooperation between SEMI and Republic Polytechnic that will not just benefit the students but also provide a young talent pool for the semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing industries,” said Mr Terry Tsao, President of SEMI Southeast Asia.

(L-R): Group General Manager of EpiCentre Mr Henry Hsu, Chairman and CEO of EpiCentre Mr Jimmy Fong, RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin and Director of RP Centre for Innovation and Enterprise Mr Warren Wang.

SEMI is a global industry association serving the nano and microelectronics manufacturing supply chains. SEMICON Singapore is an important exposition that connects the decisionmakers from the semiconductor industry in Southeast Asia.

Frasers Centrepoint

– Ms Emily Fong, Senior Centre Manager, Changi City Point

“Through the MOU, it will provide interesting industry-relevant consumer and market research projects for our staff and students from the Diploma in Consumer Behaviour and Research programme,” said Mr Warren Wang, Director of RP Centre for Innovation and Enterprise. EpiCentre started as an Apple Premium Reseller (APR) 10 years ago, and has grown to become one of Asia’s largest APRs. The EpiCentre group has extended its brand presence beyond Singapore, into Malaysia and China, boosting its total number of stores to 19.

On 4 May 2012, RP School of Hospitality signed an MOU with The Waterside Inn, a French fine-dining restaurant located in Bray, England. Started by the Roux family and now headed by Mr Alain Roux, RP is the first foreign educational institution that The Waterside Inn has committed to collaborate in various initiatives.

The students with RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin (extreme left) and Chairman of Frasers and Neave Mr Lee Hsien Yang (extreme right) at the unveiling of the mural at Changi City Point.

It has been a great experience working with the team from Republic Polytechnic. They were able to offer practical yet refreshing alternatives for the installation of the mural, which spans across the wide arena wall. We are exploring the possibility of working with RP on other malls.

To further boost the m-commerce development, an MOU was signed between EpiCentre and RP on 24 April 2012. The collaboration will spearhead m-commerce related entrepreneurship initiatives, and engage students in projects to understand consumer behaviour and trends in the m-commerce platform.

The Waterside Inn

As part of an effort to differentiate Frasers’ malls from the other shopping centres through connecting with the community, Frasers Centrepoint approached RP to create a mural for its new mall – Changi City Point. Consisting of staff and graduating students, the team from RP School of Technology for the Arts was tasked to transform a bland industrial looking rooftop wall, into a scene that would gel with the communal events that were planned for the mall. After working on the brief and brainstorming several options, the team came up with an innovative idea of extending the mural to beyond the stairs and across the skylight of the amphitheatre, thus creating a seamless panorama. The sunflower was chosen as it symbolises happiness, and this sits well with the architecture and environmental features of the new mall.

The Waterside Inn was awarded their first Michelin star in 1974, earning a reputation to have achieved and retained their threeMichelin-star status for over 25 years. (L-R): RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin, Director of RP School of Hospitality Mr Albert Toh, Chef Patron of The Waterside Inn Mr Alain Roux and Head Waiter of The Waterside Inn Mr Conte Christophe.

Sage Software Solutions An MOU was inked on 5 June 2012 between RP School of Infocomm and Sage Software Solutions. Through this MOU, RP School of Infocomm will collaborate with Sage in curriculum development and final-year projects. Sage will also provide RP students with academic award sponsorships and internships. The proprietary Sage EasyPay software will also be made available to RP for teaching purposes. Sage is a leading global provider of software solutions and fully integrated business management applications to SMEs and is listed in the London Stock Exchange. The mural of sunflowers at Changi City Point’s rooftop amphitheatre.

(L-R): General Manager of Sage Mr Edward Lim, RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin and Director of RP School of Infocomm Mr Fong Yew Chan.

inExchange

inFocus

3rd International PBL Symposium

Innovating for a Better Future Finding smart new ways of utilising Earth’s dwindling natural resources to help the environment and boost quality of life. Launch of the book: ‘One-Day, One-Problem: An Approach to Problembased Learning’.

Guest-of-Honour Professor Lee Sing Kong, Director of the National Institute of Education, giving his address to the audience.

he 3rd International PBL (Problem-Based Learning) Symposium was held from 7 to 9 March 2012 in Republic Polytechnic (RP). The symposium gathered tertiary educators, PBL practitioners and researchers to exchange experiences and discover the PBL learning pedagogy and its wide applications. The theme for this year’s symposium was “PBL and the Problematization of Teaching and Learning”. Besides seminars, workshops and poster presentations, this year’s symposium also featured ‘Symposia’ and ‘PBL-in-action’ sessions. The threeday event recorded over 500 participants, including more than 120 foreign delegates from over 20 countries – the highest attendance to date.

One of the key highlights of the symposium was the launch of the Problem-Based Learning Institute (PBLI) and the “OneDay, One-Problem: An Approach to Problem-based Learning” book. Supported and managed by experienced RP staff and PBL practitioners, PBLI is the first of its kind institute that is fully dedicated to the research, training, and consultancy services in PBL. “One-day, one-problem” is a unique adaptation of the PBL pedagogy at RP. The book, jointly written by RP’s very own PBL educators, contains a series of chapters of the authors’ firsthand experiences in the “one-day, one-problem” approach and serves as a case study of how PBL is reinvented across disciplines.

rom the felling of rainforests and the overfishing of oceans to the depleting of global oil reserves, rising human consumption is taking a heavy toll on the environment. With human demands estimated to be outstripping nature’s ability to resupply by 50%, there is no doubt that the human race is currently living beyond its means. As the global population surges towards a predicted nine billion people by 2050, the need for sustainable and innovative use of natural resources has never been more urgent. While some of the damage to the environment cannot be undone, innovation offers a way to slow down the rate of resource depletion and put us on a more sustainable course.

Other countries in the Asia Pacific region, such as Japan, have also introduced novel solutions to make better use of available resources. For instance, special power-generating floor tiles have been installed in front of ticket turnstiles at a few subway stations in Japan to generate energy. Each time a passenger steps on the tiles they trigger a small vibration that can be stored as energy. With millions of passengers using Tokyo’s subway network daily, this translates into a significant amount of energy that can be used to light up electronic signboards and ticket gates.

Solving problems with smart solutions

Partners in sustainable transformation

To achieve this, governments, companies, and academic institutions have a major role to play in encouraging innovation to facilitate sustainable development. Singapore, for example, is actively seeking ways to overcome its resource constraints through research and investments in renewable energy and other clean technologies.

At Republic Polytechnic (RP), we recognise the pressing need to make smarter use of our existing natural resources to support sustainable development. At the same time, we see great potential for using advances in this area to improve our quality of life.

As a water-scarce country with no natural aquifers or groundwater, Singapore leverages different technologies to help achieve water sustainability. An example of this is the development of NEWater, which uses membrane technology and ultraviolet treatment to recycle wastewater for human consumption. Since its introduction, this technology has garnered international acclaim

Technology Forum 2012 7 September 2012 Friday

and helped Singapore become a world leader in the application of sustainable water management solutions.

With extensive research and development (R&D) capabilities, we are well-placed to make a positive impact in this regard. For example, we have specialised labs and researchers who are actively seeking novel solutions in fields such as pharmaceutical and environmental science, food and formulation science, and new and enhanced materials. To further advance these efforts, we work closely with local and overseas industry partners to maximise our complementary capabilities and innovative potential. We also organise annual Technology Days where researchers, academics, and industry partners come together to share insights into their R&D work. Read on to find out how RP is developing smart new ways to use existing natural resources to build a more sustainable future.

8:30 am – 5:30 pm Agora Halls, Republic Polytechnic www.rp.edu.sg/Technology_Forum_2012.aspx

inFocus

Healthy Gains with Whole Grains

Through innovative research, RP is developing smart new ways to use natural resources for a more sustainable future and a better quality of life. As the demands of rising human consumption put growing pressure on the Earth’s resources, R&D plays an increasingly important role in charting a sustainable path forward. At RP, we collaborate with industry partners to explore ways to make better use of these resources. With 18 state-of-the-art laboratories, the RP School of Applied Science is well-equipped to support R&D in areas ranging from environmental technology to molecular biology and biomedical science. These facilities and a dynamic team of experienced researchers enable the School to undertake multidisciplinary and cross-functional projects. From enhancing the mechanical properties of natural silk and formulating healthier wholegrain foods to creating more efficient ways to produce biofuels, our diverse research initiatives are bearing fruit.

Whole grains are grains in their healthiest form, the way nature made them. A good source of complex carbohydrates, wholegrain foods are also lower in fat and help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Despite the health benefits and wide availability of whole grains, many products available in grocery stores today are made with refined flour. To provide consumers with healthier food choices, RP researchers teamed up with industry players to develop functional foods incorporating whole grains.

Power-packed Omega-3 Pellets

Working with Par International and the Health Promotion Board, RP developed wholemeal buns using sprouted wheat berries and moringa oleifera leaves, two highly nutritional ingredients that are not commonly used. With the help of these two super ingredients, wholemeal buns with low glycemic index (GI) were produced. These buns are healthier because they produce fewer “sugar spikes” and have a more modest effect on blood glucose loads.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are power-packed nutrients with plenty of health benefits. Research has linked them to healthy brain development in infants, good mental health in the elderly, and prevention of heart diseases. The human body is unable to manufacture omega-3, so food (fish and flaxseed oils) is our only source of these naturally occurring nutrients. However, these sources have a short shelf life and an unpleasant odour. To address these issues, a team of RP researchers explored different ways to formulate the nutrients. Their efforts resulted in the production of innovative omega-3 pellets that are longlasting and odour-free. For food manufacturers, it is good news as they can now incorporate these pellets into their products during the production process to enhance the nutritional value. Healthconscious consumers also stand to benefit, as they can sprinkle the pellets directly onto food to give their meals a healthy boost. The formulation strategy used to develop the pellets also offers exciting potential in other areas beyond omega-3. For example, it could potentially be applied to other fat-soluble nutraceutical and herbal compounds. Similarly, this approach could be adapted for improving the delivery of medicine in food, especially for young and elderly patients. This project was carried out by researchers in the RP-BASF Joint Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory. The lab is equipped to support R&D in the field of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.

Cool Advances Giving Biofuels a Boost Despite concerns about depleting oil reserves, the world remains heavily reliant on petroleum-based fuels like gasoline. Yet, there are promising alternative biofuels produced from renewable sources that can be used as a substitute. For example, synthetic gas, or syngas, made from biological materials such as wood waste can be used to produce liquid fuels. However, transforming syngas into a high-value fuel equivalent to gasoline requires a costly two-step process. With funding from the National Environment Agency’s Environment Technology Research Programme, a group of RP researchers has set about tackling this challenge. The team has invented enhanced catalysts that can transform syngas into high-value fuel in just one step. The new catalysts are in capsule format and have dual functionality. The substance inside the capsule triggers a syngas-to-liquid transformation, while the capsule’s outer shell triggers a second transformation from lowvalue to high-value liquid fuel. This is an exciting development as it could help drive down the cost of using biomass to produce high-value biofuels with properties similar to gasoline. With global demand for such catalysts projected to reach US$1.3 billion by 2015, there is significant potential for the commercialisation of the team’s new capsule catalysts. Beyond the possible commercial benefits, this invention could also help to encourage greater use of biofuels as a greener alternative to petroleum-based fuels.

Thermoelectric materials are able to convert temperature differences into electricity, or vice versa. Over the past 15 years, significant advances have been made in the scientific understanding and performance of such materials. Thermoelectric materials can now be used for cooling applications in refrigeration devices and incorporated into power-generation devices that convert waste heat into useful electrical energy. The use of thermoelectric materials can thus contribute to a greener environment by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This is achieved either by reducing the demand for electricity for cooling or by serving as a source of clean energy. With funding from the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Fund, researchers at RP are carrying out a project to fabricate and test prototype thermoelectric micro-cooler devices for different applications. The team is currently developing a simple yet innovative fabrication process for producing these micro-coolers in any desired shape and dimensions. This will make them suitable for low-cost manufacturing of thermoelectric systems, which can then be used for cooling purposes in a wide range of electronic, optoelectronic, and semiconductor components and devices. With further development, this invention could potentially be extended to the cooling of components and structures in aerospace and sports systems.

RP researchers also collaborated with Polar Puffs and Cakes to whip up a healthier version of Polar’s popular Swiss roll. Cakes are traditionally made with refined flour, but by trading the refined flour with wholemeal flour, and replacing the cream with natural fruit jam, the team produced a much healthier, yet still tasty alternative. The wholemeal version is particularly well suited for consumers who wish to minimise sugar and fat in their diet. Both projects showed that food and science can go hand in hand to produce greattasting, guilt-free functional foods packed with goodness.

inFocus

Breaking New Ground in Composite Materials Jointly established by RP and ST Kinetics, the Advanced Composite Engineering Laboratory (ACEL) specialises in R&D in the field of composite materials science. The lab was launched in April 2012 with $3 million funding from ST Kinetics. As one of the only laboratories in Southeast Asia to specialise in natural fibre studies, ACEL houses customised equipment and facilities such as advanced silkworm incubators; reeling, warping and weaving machines; and high-tonnage hot presses.

inReality ST Kinetics is proud to collaborate with Republic Polytechnic in the development of the Advanced Composite Engineering Laboratory. The launch of ACEL today marks our commitment to develop advanced materials to continually build innovative products and solutions for our customers worldwide.

The partnership with ST Kinetics demonstrates RP’s commitment to undertaking cutting-edge research in composite materials science and providing value-added services to the industry through training.

Learning the Ropes From the Boss

Left Mr Ler going through the day’s work cycle with Li Jun who is currently interning in Logwin.

– Mr Sew Chee Jhuen, President, ST Kinetics

ACEL enables researchers from RP and ST Kinetics to work together to research and develop high-performance, lightweight composite materials for applications in aerospace, marine, automobile, textile, and sports industries.

Right Mr Ler briefing Vanessa about the goods.

n Logwin Singapore, there is a strong belief in mentorship and guidance. Mr Jimmy Ler, Country Director of Logwin Singapore, feels that it is imperative to impart knowledge to the younger generation and he sees to it by personally mentoring them. “I always believe that internships promote academic, career and personal development for the students. By sharing and teaching our interns how to deal with specific situations, I feel that it would also help them to fill in the lack of experience gap,” Mr Ler shared.

(L-R): RP’s Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin, RP’s Principal/ CEO Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Chief Defence Scientist Professor Quek Tong Boon, Deputy CEO of ST Engineering Mr Seah Moon Ming, President of ST Kinetics Mr Sew Chee Jhuen, Chief Technology Officer of ST Kinetics Dr Richard Kwok.

Super Silk One of the innovative projects being carried in ACEL is the production of enhanced silk fabric. The team started by exploring a low-cost method to enhance the mechanical properties of silkworm silk. The resulting “super silk” filaments were collected for processing into yarn to develop usable products. By further enhancing the natural characteristics of silkworm silk, the research team hopes to increase its use as a substitute for synthetic fibres, which are often made from petroleumbased materials and are thus less environmentally sustainable. Having successfully created enhanced silkworm silk, the team is now working on weaving enhanced silk fabrics strong enough for high-performance applications. They are also conducting a feasibility study of harvesting natural spider silk for fabric production.

The collaboration between Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Logwin started back in 2010 when the first intern from RP School of Engineering’s Diploma in Supply Chain Management was attached to Logwin. Since then, Logwin has periodically taken in RP’s supply chain management students for internships stretching from eight to 16 weeks, including the current intern Wong Li Jun. The interns would be alternated in various departments within Logwin, where the heads of department (HODs) would teach and guide them through the work cycle. Mr Ler would personally conduct weekly ground checks and speak to the HODs about the interns. “I try to see the students through their internships in Logwin and monitor their learning progress,” he continued. “Every three weeks, I will be rotated to a different department where I get to learn many things daily. I enjoy working here as it is a different experience every day,” said Li Jun, who is currently interning at Logwin.

“Mr Ler is a young boss who gives very wise advice and ideas. In spite of his status, he is very friendly to all his employees and humble as he sees everyone equally,” she continued. Vanessa Ee Wei-Chyi, a RP graduate who is now working in Logwin as a Customer Service Officer shared the same sentiments about Mr Ler. “He often goes to the warehouse and makes efforts to interact with the staff. Mr Ler will enquire about our jobs and show concern for our work. He is caring and you would not sense any aura of superiority around him.” Due to the high relevance of RP’s curriculum to the industry and the good impression that Logwin has of RP interns, Vanessa was scouted to work in Logwin after her graduation. Logwin also recently hired a group of RP students to work as temporary staff during their vacation. The students helped with the stocktake of an urgent shipment of products and with their help, Logwin was able to complete the stocktake in time. When asked why he took time off his busy schedule to personally mentor the interns, Mr Ler felt that it is a mutual partnership where both parties gain. “I hope the interns will gain valuable experience that will help them in their future careers, while successful internships would, in turn, help businesses develop leaders of tomorrow.” Started since 1877, Logwin is a leading logistics company headquartered in Germany. It employs 5,900 employees around the world covering over 250 locations. Logwin offers comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions ranging from procurement logistics to delivery.

RP has never failed to provide good, hardworking, and responsible interns. They had high levels of initiatives and were keen in learning. They could even assist in providing new ideas to address our business needs.

– Mr Jimmy Ler, Country Director, Logwin Singapore

Country Director of Logwin Mr Jimmy Ler.

inNovation

inConversation

From Science to Life

Fitting Made Easy

eveloped by Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) second-year students from the Diploma in Digital Entertainment Electronics, the “Fitting Made Easy” (FitME) technology features a conventional glass window display that supports virtual fitting of clothing. Led by Mr Caleb Tan, this research project is spearheaded by RP’s Technology Development Centre for Supply Chain Management.

front and a unique tracking code at the back. The shopper has to stand before the glass window display and position the fashion card in front of his/her body with the tracking code facing the display. The application then automatically fetches the matching image of the fashion design from a database, overlays the image on the shopper’s body, and presents the outcome on the window display.

incoRPorate finds out how Dr Terence Chong, Director of School of Applied Science and Office of International Relations, brings his philosophies from science ‘alive’ in managing the school and overseas relations.

Q: Having a PhD in molecular biology, how do you view ‘life’?

The creators of FitME, Zaw Htet and Min Htet Aung, felt that the time spent while queuing for a fitting room was too long and that was where the idea for a virtual fitting system spun off. “We developed the FitME system to make shopping for clothes a lot more convenient and efficient. The system currently supports front-view virtual fitting. We hope to eventually develop it into a 3D system to provide a 360‐degree view of the virtual fitting,” said Zaw Htet.

FitME made its first public debut at PARCO Marina Bay from 2 to 15 April 2012. It was PARCO’s first collaboration with RP in conjunction with their launch of 18 new “PARCO next NEXT” designer labels.

Q: Republic Polytechnic (RP) opened its doors in 2003 and the School of Applied Science (SAS) was one of the pioneer schools. How has SAS grown in retrospect?

Q: What is one interesting fact about yourself that not many

Not only has FitME attracted more than 2,000 shoppers trying out different clothes, it has also attracted attention from other retailers. As part of their Great Singapore Sale promotional activities, AsiaMalls engaged RP to set up a “Virtual Fitting Booth - Dress Me Up” at Liang Court. For future developments, the creators of FitMe will be looking into making their technology smarter, such as providing fashion tips and product recommendations during fitting.

and milestones with RP right from the start. We had the challenge of developing a new school and learnt to be forward-thinking, not to be afraid of taking the first step, and to keep moving forward.

FitME leverages technologies involving interactive augmented reality display and audience profiling. It allows shoppers to virtually try on clothes with the use of fashion cards. Each fashion card displays an image of the fashion design on the

How does FitME work? Step 1 Select your favourite design from the rack of fashion cards.

Step 2 Stand in front of the virtual fitting display and position the fashion card with the back facing the display. Smile while your virtual fitting is performed!

A: “Structure - function” concepts help us understand how

the body functions. I realised that can be applied to ‘life’ in general and even management. Behind everything, an underlying idea can be found. In science, you have to get the basics right first and in life, the same applies, once you get the basics right, you can do amazing things!

people know?

A: It almost sounds like a cliché but it’s true – I’m actually quite

shy! When I find myself in a crowd, I tend to stay in a small group. So I set a goal to meet everybody in the room, and by wanting to achieve the goal, I break away from my shyness and go around meeting new faces. The lesson from this is to be reminded that by setting goals, one can drive behaviour and achieve results beyond one’s limitations.

A: SAS has grown hand-in-hand with RP. We shared achievements

Q: Tell us how you have led SAS to where it is today. Is there a

distinct culture that you have built in the school?

A: SAS takes pride in nurturing students and believes strongly

in “walking the talk”. We are always developing people, supporting one another, and helping each other out. This nurturing culture, positive attitude, and empowering environment go all the way down to how we manage our students. It is an environment for people to keep trying and not fear failing which, I hope, is also reaching our students as well.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your plans for SAS? A: To sustain a growing school, you need to have structure,

people, management, and long-term planning. To move forward, it is about strengthening the fundamentals to take on the future better as we never know what will happen.

Q: You are also the Director of the Office of International

Relations (OIR), share with us how RP has gone international.

A: When it comes to international relations, OIR works with

the academic departments in making our students more “international-ready”. Besides constantly finding places for students to go on overseas attachments, OIR works with overseas universities for articulation of our diplomas to their degrees. By doing so, we establish the recognition of our diplomas internationally.

Q: What is one thing you would like to emphasise on?

Everyone is part of a bigger thing. We are best when we are working towards a wider goal. And that I believe is what education allows us to do – helping students to build a better life for themselves, their families, and society as a whole.

About Terence Chong Deputy CEO of SPRING Singapore Mr Ted Tan (L) testing out the FitME technology with fashion label 2HB designer Mr Rick Hung (R).

After graduating with a first class honours degree in microbiology from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Terence spent a year in the local biotechnology industry before going back to NUS to work on a Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology. After his PhD, Terence joined the Singapore National Science and Technology Board focusing on initiatives to enhance Singapore’s technological engagement through entrepreneurship. He was later posted to the San Francisco Bay Area, home to the Biotech Bay and Silicon Valley. On his return to Singapore, he joined RP in 2002 to head the School of Applied Science. Since May 2008, Terence has also taken responsibility for RP’s international operations.

inProfile

Academy for Continuing Education @RP

‘Green’ thumbs-up for Amy ‘Green’ is the new buzz word. incoRPorate catches up with Dr Amy Choong, Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Technology Development Centre (TDC) Manager for Environmental Technology to share her tips about conserving the environment. Q: Hi Amy, you have always been an avid environmentalist.

Q: As the TDC Manager for Environmental Technology, what

A: My course of study was in biological science and it was then

A: One of my roles is liaising with the industry to find out

Why the devotion in environment?

that I learnt more about plants and the environment. With greater knowledge, there is also greater appreciation.

It hit me most when I met David Bellamy, a botanist and TV producer, during my first job in Sungei Buloh Nature Park. He said that we need plants and we need a healthy environment to preserve our species. Although it may seem discouraging that a lot of destruction is being done to the environment, his words were that we should never give up.

Q: So when did the passion for nature conservation ignite?

do you do?

their needs and how best RP can collaborate with them on environmental research. From this, I also get to understand the challenges faced by most companies to go green.

Q: In your opinion, do you think that RP is ‘green’? A: In terms of architecture, yes, but I would not know how many

RP staff are ‘green’ so I can’t generalise! However, I do believe that everyone has a good heart, wanting to do good things for the environment but there are many factors such as feasibility, practicality, and time that hinder.

A: I grew up in the rural part of Kuala Lumpur. My childhood

was mostly spent surrounded by plants, squirrels, and nature in general. I suppose because of this, I became very in touch with nature.

I was also afraid that the story of the Easter Island would come true in our case. It left me worrying, “Would we be like the Polynesians? Will the last tree be cut down without us realising it?”

Q: Any tips for us to reduce litter or help to conserve the

environment?

harmful litter can be. For example, most people do not know the harmful effects that a single cigarette butt can cause. To put things into better perspective, one smoked cigarette butt in one litre of water will kill 50% of living things.

especially proud of.

students and our Conservation Interest Group went door-todoor to 10 blocks of flats to share with the residents about the need for recycling and how to recycle properly.

These students wrote in their reflective journals that after this activity, they learnt to look at every item carefully before throwing it into the rubbish bin. Even if the households did not get the message, at least our students took with them a valuable lesson from this experience, and that I feel is very heartwarming.

Continuing Education and Training (CET) arm which promotes lifelong learning to working adults so that you can stay relevant and competitive in the knowledge-based economy. ACE@RP offers a suite of CET programmes ranging from personal interest and self-improvement to job-specific training. The programmes are categorised into:

Academic Programmes

Part-time programmes for academic upgrading, career switching, and knowledge-deepening. • Part-time Diploma • Specialist/Advanced Diploma • Certification courses

Executive Programmes

Short courses designed to enrich understanding of a specific area and knowledge. • Education & Facilitation • Management & Communication • Science & Technology • Service-Learning • Sports & Health • Teambuilding & Experiential Learning

A: First of all, there should be more awareness about how

Q: Share with us one of the ‘green’ projects that you are A: For one of the creative engagement module activities, RP

In addition, I co-organise technology days every year, encourage staff to do research and apply for grants. I would say that this role pretty much gels with my interest as well.

Academy for Continuing Education @RP (ACE@RP) is Republic Polytechnic’s

ACE@RP’s programmes are conducted using well-researched pedagogical practices and learner-centred approaches. All programmes are structured to fit the schedules of working adults.

More awareness will lead to wilingness. It actually also boils down to more planning. If you are buying takeaway food, bring your own containers. Or walk more; it is a form of exercise and it saves money too!

Q: If you weren’t an environmentalist, what would you be

doing instead?

A: Geography! I have always been interested in geological

formations. I would love to travel the world and see different natural formations such as mountains, volcanoes, etc.

About Amy Choong

Amy graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Science (Honours). She went on to pursue her PhD in Ecology at the University of Hong Kong. After her PhD, she worked as a fragrance analyst at Givaudan Singapore Pte Ltd studying the fragrances of natural and commercial products. Subsequently, she joined RP and conducted research in aquaculture of sea cucumbers, and ameliorating urban heat island effect using green roofs, vertical greenery, and PV hydro-cooling to increase their efficiencies. Amy also actively shares her ‘green’ interests as advisor for RP’s Conservation Interest Group and through facilitating classes.

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

Republic Polytechnic (RP) has over 14,000 students and 900 staff, with six schools and two centres offering 39 courses in Infocomm Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, Technology for the Arts, Sports, Health & Leisure, Hospitality, Communication, and Consumer Research. The first educational institution in Singapore to leverage 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.

• • • •

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 one-stop@rp.edu.sg More information can also be found at www.rp.edu.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 one-stop@rp.edu.sg YEAR 2012 1 Aug 7 Sep 17 Oct 19 Oct 25 Oct – 9 Nov 31 Oct 17 – 18 Nov

RP Scholarships Ceremony Technology Forum Opening Ceremony of RP’s Hangar University Fair Reflections Community Arts Festival Partners Appreciation Nite National Pushcart Challenge