incoRPorate - Issue 4 / 2013 by Republic Polytechnic

Published for industry partners of Republic Polytechnic

ience School of Applied SC finds food for the future

Food for thought: feeding Singapore sustainably News 05

Profile 14

News 11

Technology day: Productivity and Sustainablility 360

Terrorist threats and racing cars

Introducing the future Dr See

2013 Issue No. 4

In this issue

e are kicking off 2014 with some big themes: environmental sustainability, food security, and how to help an ageing population live fuller and longer lives. These are exciting challenges for Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Applied Science (SAS). In this edition, we take a look at some of the groundbreaking research underway at SAS. At the Formulation and Nutrition Science Technology Centre, scientists are designing a spread of foods that have additional nutritional benefits. Meanwhile at the school’s Aquaculture Industry Engagement Day, experts from around the world exchanged ideas about how Singapore can reach its goal of more than doubling the amount of locally produced fish. RP will be launching two new diploma programmes in 2014; we profile both new courses on page 10. We also hear from an RP graduate on how RP has helped her be accepted into Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, while in an interview with Mr Ashley Chua, Deputy Director of RP School of Applied Science, we find out more about his anti-terrorism work and his passion for fast cars! An electronic version of the magazine is available for you to download at www.rp.edu.sg/industry. We are always keen to hear from our readers, so if you have an article to contribute or suggestions on how we can improve incoRPorate, please email us at help-occ@rp.edu.sg Enjoy the issue and happy 2014!

Ronald Wong

Adviser Seto Lok Yin Editor-in-Chief Ronald Wong Editors Renee Loh & Joey Tang Editorial Assistant Leow Weihui

12 10 News Diplomas in Marine Science and Aquaculture and Human Resources with Psychology; RP alum at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; Raffles Medical Group interns; new industry collaborations

5 3

News

Beyond the DIOM Horizon, RPST Kinetics GEMS Lab, SIT-UoG Computing Science degree, RP Technology Day 2013 6

Focus

RP’s School of Applied Science is finding innovative solutions to make Singapore’s food chain more sustainable and to maximise healthspan

Publishing Consultant Switch Writer Charlotte Ashton Design Fredrik Dittlau

Calendar

Editor’s message

8 Jan 9 Jan 9 – 11 Jan 13 Feb 19 Mar

14 Profile Mr Ashley Chua, Deputy Director, RP School of Applied Science shares his passion for science 15 Parting Shots We sign off with some light-hearted food for thought

School of Engineering Industry Partners Appreciation and FYP Exhibition 2014 The Aquaria Official Opening Republic Polytechnic Open House 2014 Republic Polytechnic Career Fair 2014 Problem-based Learning Seminar 2014

incoRPorate is published by Switch (Registration No. 201025791H) for Republic Polytechnic. Views expressed in this magazine may not represent that of Republic Polytechnic or Switch. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Information is correct at time of print. DEC 2013

News (L-R) Executive Director of SPA Mr Low Hock Meng, Vice President of SPA Mr Tan Peng Yong, Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin, and Director of RP School of Engineering Dr Wang Jianguo

A productive future Industrial and operations management students showcase their talent to industry leaders

epublic Polytechnic (RP) students graduating from RP School of Engineering’s (SEG) Diploma in Industrial and Operations Management (DIOM) showcased their capabilities to a host of industry leaders at a seminar on 7 August 2013. Themed Beyond the DIOM Horizon, final-year students and industry partners explored the local productivity drive and how manufacturing technology is evolving in response. DIOM students are trained in a broad range of operations management applications. This breadth of experience has seen high demand for DIOM graduates from a range of industries including healthcare, logistics, maritime, engineering services, and consumer business. “Industrial and operations management plays a critical role as the nerve centre of any business, helping an organisation better manage its resources, thus boosting results and driving growth. Companies are increasingly recognising the importance of it,” said Mr Seto Lok

Yin, Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP. Memoranda of Understanding were signed with three leading organisations from Singapore’s productivity movement; the Singapore Productivity Association (SPA), the American Society for Quality and the Singapore Chapter of the Project Management Institute. These agreements are set to offer platforms for knowledge sharing through joint programmes. Over the next three years, the organisations will also provide RP students with

“Industrial and operations management plays a critical role as the nerve centre of any business, helping an organisation better manage its resources”

valuable access to their global network of partnering companies, helping to nurture a new generation of operations management professionals. Mr Low Choo Tuck, Management Committee Member of SPA, gave the keynote address on Singapore’s productivity movement, while Mr Cheng Howe Chiat, Senior Academic Staff of RP School of Engineering, shared insights from his project in which productivity and savings were gained through simulation and optimisation technologies. The government’s 2010 dedication of S$5.5 billion to boost overall annual productivity gains to 2-3 per cent over the coming decade promises increasing demand for operations management skills. To that end, the seminar also highlighted the career opportunities that lie ahead. Mr Seto shared success stories of DIOM alumni who are working their way up the career ladder at leading national and multinational companies across a variety of sectors, demonstrating the plentiful opportunities that await RP students beyond DIOM.

News “We hope to provide a conducive environment to our researchers, to enable them to break new ground in the design and development of green energy and management solutions”

Founder of Horizon Energy Systems Pte Ltd Mr Taras Wankewycz introducing the company’s newest hydrogen-on-demand system, HYDROFILL, to President of ST Kinetics Mr Sew Chee Jhuen (R) and Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin (L)

Going greener New laboratory enables clean tech research and development

new laboratory for groundbreaking research into clean energy solutions, established in collaboration with ST Kinetics, was opened during Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Technology Day 2013. The RP-STK Green Energy

Management Solutions (GEMS) Lab represents RP’s fourth collaboration project with the land systems and specialty vehicles arm of ST Engineering. Dr Richard Kwok, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of ST Kinetics, says the aim is to

translate innovative green technologies into a wide variety of commercially viable applications. “RP’s focus on environmentally sustainable solutions and its pool of talented researchers are key. We hope to provide a conducive environment to our researchers, to enable them to break new ground in the design and development of green energy and management solutions.” The laboratory will house state-of-theart equipment, including an integrated fuel cell system with electrolyzer, which will allow researchers to perform benchmarking tests on the performance of next generation fuel cells and to analyse hydrogen generation technology for refinement and optimisation. In addition, a 2kW and a 5kW Mobile Fuel Cell Unit will help them understand mobile fuel systems for electric vehicles, a key focus area. To seal their commitment, a collaboration agreement was signed between RP School of Engineering and ST Kinetics on the launch day.

From Scotland to Singapore 2 September 2013 marked the start of a new Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) full-time degree programme in Computing Science, in conjunction with the University of Glasgow (UoG), based in Republic Polytechnic (RP) campus. 58 students formed the first cohort, 12 of whom graduated from RP School of Infocomm. This partnership connects RP with the fourth oldest university in the Englishspeaking world. UoG ranks in the top one per cent of world universities and is one of the UK’s top earners for research, with

Singapore Institute of Technology-University of Glasgow students and their lecturers at RP’s The Lawn

annual research earnings totalling more than S$358 million. Unlike most broad-based computing science curricula, academics from UoG have developed a course focusing on security, connectivity, mobility, and usability.

This tripartite collaboration will give RP academic staff the opportunity to partner and teach at university level and provide RP students with the opportunity to fast-track onto UoG’s computing science degree programme.

Productivity and Sustainability 360 More than 500 delegates gather for annual Technology Day

estlé, BASF and Olam International were among some 250 businesses participating in Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) ninth annual Technology Day on 2 October 2013. The theme was Productivity and Sustainability 360, with three separate forums on food and nutrition (Food 360), environmental technologies (Green 360), and IT and communication (Smart IT 360) being held concurrently. Mr Choi Shing Kwok, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, graced the conference as the Guest-of-Honour. He highlighted the timeliness of the focus on sustainability as the world’s resources come under unprecedented pressure from rising populations and extreme weather events. “I am heartened and excited to see that the research and development projects that have been undertaken at RP are not only seeking implementable solutions to help Singapore move forward in becoming a productive economy with good jobs for everyone, but also furthering our ambitions to become a sustainable global city that can be a role model for others.” On the day of the event a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between RP School of Engineering and the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES). Part of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), ICES runs a state-ofthe-art Experimental Power Grid Centre on Jurong Island. The agreement will offer RP students internship opportunities, company visits, as well as mentorship for final-year projects. Businesses were given the opportunity to introduce their products to potential clients, while innovative projects currently underway at RP were also showcased at the event. In the Food 360 forum, delegates had the opportunity to sample various functional food and drinks developed by staff and students at RP’s Formulation and Nutritional Science Technology Centre, including a soy drink

Director of RP School of Engineering Dr Wang Jianguo (L) and Programme Director of Experimental Power Grid Centre, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences Dr Ashwin Khambadkone (R)

(L-R) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Choi Shing Kwok, Managing Director of Nestlé Singapore Mr Valerio Nannini, and RP Deputy Principal (Industry Services) Mr Seto Lok Yin having a taste of prebiotic and probiotic ice cream flavours

Panelists on stage at the Smart IT 360 plenary session

Assistant Director of RP School of Applied Science Dr Wong Luh Cherng speaking to participants at the Food 360 forum

“We’re excited to be at Technology Day as it’s an opportunity for us to spread the word about our brand and see what kind of collaborations we can foster with other companies”

from renowned consumer-side organisations demonstrated how infocomm technology innovations can create disruptive business models. RP researchers presented a new content management system, which allows content providers and home users to censor, rate, and classify digital media, thereby addressing concerns about the dangers of allowing children unfiltered access to the internet. At the end of a busy day Nicole Yow, Assistant Manager of Kino Biotech, reflected on the value of RP’s Technology Day as a platform to broaden the impact of their products. “We’re excited to be at Technology Day as it’s an opportunity for us to spread the word about our brand and see what kind of collaborations we can foster with other companies. We’ve had a really good response so far and some great feedback.”

fortified with Omega-3, but free of any detectable fishy taste. Over at the Green 360 forum, hydrogen fuel cells were in the spotlight. Researchers at RP have developed a unique system that aims to overcome the problems of affordability and capacity, which have prevented this important source of clean energy from reaching the market. The cells are currently in the prototype stage and are expected to be commercialised in 2014. At the Smart IT 360 forum, speakers

Focus

Food Science at SAS Researchers at Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Applied Science (SAS) are taking on one of Singapore’s biggest challenges: its food supply. Improving sustainability and maximising the health benefits of every gram of food has generated a raft of new, cutting-edge projects and opportunities for food science researchers and industry partners alike.

eveloping Singapore’s food chain and improving environmental sustainability is at the heart of the cutting-edge research currently underway at SAS. Mr Ashley Chua, Deputy Director of SAS,

emphasises the relationship between the food chain and improving sustainability. “If you look at the issues impacting Singapore, two of which are high population density and an ageing population. We have to support this growing, greying population with very limited land

and the threat of climate change. So the question is how to make better use of resources whether it’s water, energy, or food supply. It’s about ensuring the population has a healthy lifestyle, making sure individuals stay active and effective in society.”

Participants carrying out formulation of a functional beverage enriched with Omega-3 at the FINEST Food Symposium

Functional snack bars developed by RP

Stocking up on fine foods Key to a long, healthy life is a good diet so scientists at RP’s Formulation and Nutrition Science (FANS) Technology Centre are collaborating with a host of industry partners to develop functional foods and beverages, which offer additional nutritional benefits. RP researchers have developed prototypes for a tempting spread of foods fortified with Omega-3 such as granola bars, soy milk, ice-cream, and muffins. The delicacies were introduced to 40 guests from the food-manufacturing sector at a symposium to support the government’s FINEST Food programme, which drives the innovation of healthier

food products in the local food manufacturing industry. The programme, spearheaded by the Health Promotion Board, works to assist the food industry in developing healthier food solutions and included a month-long programme of seminars and workshops, including RP’s FINEST Food workshop on omega-3 held on 23 August 2013. The workshop was conducted in collaboration with food science experts at BASF Newtrition and flavour experts from Symrise with a common goal to create healthier and tastier food products. Also on the menu at FANS are wholemeal buns that have been developed to release sugars more gradually than

“It’s about fine-tuning tastes over time and it’s about science playing its part to make healthier options more amenable to individuals. It doesn’t work if the options you put on the table are healthy but don’t taste good.” other breads. With a glycaemic index (GI) of 47 (70 is typical), the buns help prevent a spike in sugar levels, keeping the consumer fuller for longer. According to Mr Ashley Chua, the impact on the Singaporean diet, traditionally rich in saturated fats, could be profound. “It’s about fine-tuning tastes over time and it’s about science playing its part to make healthier options more amenable to individuals. It doesn’t work if the options you put on the table are healthy but don’t taste good.” Fish for supper A healthy staple of the Singaporean diet is fish. The island consumes 100,000 tonnes of fish per year, but only 7 per cent comes from local fisheries. Majority of Singapore’s fish supply comes from coastal fish farms. The government plans to double this figure, thereby improving

Focus

Principal/CEO of RP Mr Yeo Li Pheow (far left) and Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin (far right) with the guest speakers at the Aquaculture Industry Engagement Day

“Good science underpinned by good business sense will be the hallmarks of a successful and sustainable aquaculture programme”

Honorary Consul of France, Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques and Professor of Marine Biology at the University of New Brunswick, Canada Dr Thierry Chopin addressing industry representatives

Singapore’s food security. In line with this, SAS hosted an Aquaculture Industry Engagement Day on 2 August 2013 in collaboration with the National University of Singapore’s Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI). Representatives from the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore and A*Star, along with representatives from private industry partners, Oceanus, Qian Hu, and Resorts World Sentosa, attended the event. Professor Peter Ng, Director of TMSI,

highlighted the unique challenges posed by both land and resource scarcity. “Producing huge quantities of cheap fish, and just of a few kinds, is not enough. We need quality as well as diversity, and we must encourage the local industry to play an active role in producing seafood for Singapore, by making it economically viable. Good science underpinned by good business sense will be the hallmarks of a successful and sustainable aquaculture programme.

Only then can there be real food security.” International keynote speakers Dr Thierry Chopin, Honorary Consul of France, Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques and Professor of Marine Biology at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and Mr Noam Mozes, Head of the Mariculture Division, Department of Fishery and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel also shared their insights with industry partners about what Singapore can learn from other coastal nations. Dr Chopin introduced Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), which provides the by-products of one aquatic species as fertiliser or food for another, as a possible solution to

Outdoor facility for aquaculture grow out research

New centre to enhance aquaculture research

Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, more commonly known as the native mangrove horseshoe crab

Singapore’s sustainability challenge. “IMTA could be a solution, but it will require some major out-of-the-box thinking. One thing which always strikes the traveller about Singapore is how green the city is and how the facades of buildings are used as cascades of hanging gardens. Singaporeans accept these principles, of urban vegetation providing ecosystem services, so it would not be a gigantic leap to think of the ecosystem services provided by the extractive component of IMTA. What needs to be imagined are urban (or peri-urban) and vertical IMTA farming systems in which the vegetation would not only provide ecosystem services paired with aesthetic values, but would also combine food production of vegetables with fish and invertebrates.” Protecting precious species A key facet of urban sustainability is the protection of plants and wildlife from concrete and bricks. The future of Singapore’s indigenous mangrove horseshoe crab may be under threat from rapid urbanisation. The horseshoe crabs play a vital ecological role in maintaining the balance of the mudflats and the survival of, for example, shorebirds, who may get nourishment from the crabs’ eggs. RP School of Applied Science is working on a conservation project to protect the crabs and better understand their habitats, nesting, and spawning grounds – the first time the species has been studied

“As the island’s population increases and Singaporeans enjoy longer lives, there is increasing pressure on precious, finite resources like land and water” in such detail. Working with Nature Society (Singapore), a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, researchers will collate data at the Kranji and Mandai mudflats in the hope of getting the vital breeding and spawning grounds conserved as a nature reserve. They will also breed horseshoe crabs in captivity to understand their growth patterns. The crabs have applications beyond conservation. An extract of their blood is used by the pharmaceutical industry to ensure intravenous drugs, vaccines, and medical devices are free of bacterial contamination. The blood can now be cloned to protect the crabs, but environmental threats persist. Dr Laura Yap, principal investigator on the project at SAS told incoRPorate how precious the species is, “Horseshoe crabs are living fossils, their form and structure have remained essentially unchanged for thousands of years. They have survived the major extinctions so we, humans, cannot be the cause of their extinction.”

The latest addition to RP’s research facilities is a new aquaculture centre to support the school’s work on improving farm productivity. Set to be opened on 9 January 2014, The Aquaria will provide a base for collaboration with local aquaculture farms, marine conservation sanctuaries, and research institutes. It will also host a joint laboratory with James Cook University for marine and conservation research. The centre houses both outdoor and indoor facilities. Outdoors, five bespoke husbandry tanks will culture sea bass and tilapia. Inside, multiple housing tanks for freshwater and saltwater aquatic animals will be used for research and teaching, while a further specialist tank for coral will facilitate vital conservation and cultivation work. As SAS expands its marine footprint, the centre will further equip students with skills necessary for today’s aquaculture businesses. Its research capabilites will also contribute to the overall development of this rapidly expanding industry.

The broad scope of SAS projects, from food to conservation, reflects the multi-pronged approach needed to ensure continued growth in Singapore. As the island’s population increases and Singaporeans enjoy longer lives, there is increasing pressure on precious, finite resources like land and water. RP’s research puts scientists, current and future students, at the heart of this sustainability drive.

News Making a difference

Support for students from low-income famillies

New diploma responds to industry growth Nurturing future leaders in aquaculture

A Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin presents a ‘Thank You’ card made by beneficiaries to Executive Director of Rose Marie Khoo Foundation Ms Kim Eun Choo

Generous support from the Rose Marie Khoo Foundation for Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Student Pocket Money Scheme has provided assistance to 35 students from lowincome families, helping them afford basic school expenses. As a gesture of RP’s appreciation, a luncheon was hosted in honour of Ms Kim Eun Choo, Executive Director of the Rose Marie Khoo Foundation on 16 November 2013 at waters edge, RP School of Hospitality’s training restaurant. Ms Kim was presented with a ‘Thank You’ montage created by the beneficiaries, in which one student wrote “I’m really thankful for the help. It has allowed me to pursue my education and my dream of becoming a physiotherapist.” “Upon meeting the polytechnic officials we could see the need in both helping the students reach their academic goals and in direct bursaries to defray some of their living costs. The Rose Marie Khoo Foundation is committed to helping them meet those needs,” said Ms Kim. The Rose Marie Khoo Foundation is committed to the improvement of education for children. Apart from the Student Pocket Money Scheme, the foundation also supports other needy RP students annually through scholarships and bursaries.

s Singapore’s Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority raises the proportion of fish produced locally to 15 per cent, Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Applied Science is working to keep the talent bench full, with the launch of a new Diploma in Marine Science and Aquaculture. Set to start early 2014, the course has been developed to focus on current skills requirements in the areas of marine biology and conservation, aquaculture technology, and marine coastal ecology. Dr Ng Cher Yew, Executive Chairman of Oceanus Group describes aquaculture as one of the last frontiers badly in need of innovation. “The launch of the Diploma in Marine Science and Aquaculture is timely as students will be trained on an evidencebased approach to problem-solving in a practical-driven environment. I believe the

capabilities and skill sets these graduates acquire are what the industry needs to innovate and transform,” said Dr Ng. An initial batch of 50 students will be trained in RP’s new 200 squaremetre aquaculture centre, The Aquaria, purpose-built with an investment of more than half a million Singapore dollars.

Supporting a multi-faceted Asian workforce In line with the local Economic Strategies Committee’s strategy to grow a pool of Asia-ready human resources (HR) and talent management executives over the next decade, Republic Polytechnic (RP)

has launched a new Diploma in Human Resource Management with Psychology. The three-year course is designed to equip its graduates to support companies in their HR functions and has been endorsed by HR leaders from a host of industry partners, including Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd and SIA Engineering Company. “The prospects of these HR students are promising, especially with their training for the international corporate landscape and understanding of human motivations and behaviours. Such knowledge and skill sets will become invaluable for the ever complex business environment ahead. They will be more ready to support multinational organisations in Asia in the management of the multifaceted workforce,” said Ms Nancy Ng-Lee, Head, Group HR of Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd.

Introducing the future Dr See Claudia See is the first Republic Polytechnic (RP) student to be accepted into Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. She shares her feelings about the fulfilment of a lifelong dream

ince the age of six, Claudia has wanted to be a doctor. Having suffered from ill health as a child, she spent a lot of time in hospital, but out of that sadness grew a burning ambition. “Growing up for me meant having to stay in hospitals during holidays like the Chinese New Year, but it allowed me to interact with doctors. I held them in very high regard because they always put me and the other patients at ease with their confident demeanour. I’ve always aspired to be like them.” She describes her transition from secondary school to RP’s School of Applied Science as a monumental

“Being at RP allowed me to discover a potential I never knew I had and gave me opportunities to make connections outside of school”

journey during which her dream of becoming a doctor never changed. Yet with only 300 places available to read medicine at the prestigious Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, competition is fierce. Traditionally, very few successful candidates are from a polytechnic background, but Claudia says her biomedical sciences diploma was the springboard she needed. “Being at RP allowed me to discover a potential I never knew I had and gave me opportunities to make connections outside of school. It was an excellent holistic education, where aside from gaining academic knowledge in the field of science, I learned to find for myself where I wanted to go and was empowered to go there.” Claudia is effusive in her thanks for the support she received from RP staff, who in turn praise her natural ability. “Claudia is an exemplary example of an RP graduate who possesses professionalism, problem-solving skills, and passion for making a difference in society,” said Ms Malini Thyagesan, Academic Staff of RP School of Applied Science.

Hands-on experience at Raffles Medical Group Processing blood samples, helping to dispense medication, and performing electrocardiography (ECG) tests were among the responsibilities of 39 Republic Polytechnic (RP) interns at Raffles Medical Group. Mr Seto Lok Yin, Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP visited the students from RP School of Applied Science and RP School of Sports, Health and Leisure on their first day of orientation at the Raffles Hospital.

Commenting on the quality of the RP students, Mr Seow Ser Hoe, Senior Manager, Clinical Laboratory Department of Raffles Hospital said he was impressed by their knowledge and work ethics. “I believe the education from RP has given them the opportunity to step into the workforce immediately upon their graduation. This has been proven as we have recruited a few graduands who are currently working in my department.”

Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin speaking to RP interns on their first day of orientation at Raffles Hospital

Since 2010, Raffles Medical Group has offered more than 150 internship positions to RP students and is a proud

sponsor of Gold Medal awards for top students in the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences programme.

News

Reaching out to industry partners

ew research projects, internship positions, scholarships, and even the chance to have their work showcased on online television have opened up to Republic Polytechnic (RP) students and academic staff as a result of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signings in the last quarter of 2013.

RP partners with the People’s Association

Making it in the media Diploma in Interactive and Digital Media students will work alongside People’s Association (PA) to produce engaging videos on PA events for their online platform, CommuniTV. With Singapore fast becoming an infocomm hub, this two-year MOU signed between PA and RP School of Infocomm will help students become industry-ready for the next stage of the digital era. Flying high Students in the Diploma in Aerospace Avionics are already getting hands-on experience producing and assembling avionics products at Flight Focus.

But a new MOU with RP School of Engineering – the first Flight Focus has signed with a local polytechnic – will extend internship placements to more students in new areas such as quality

Guests from Flight Focus and RP staff with the Learjet training aircraft at RP’s The Aerospace Hub

Group photo of representatives from RP, Temasek Foundation, and The Polytechnic Association of Indonesia at the signing

assurance and logistics. RP staff will also have opportunities to collaborate on cutting-edge avionics innovation with researchers at Flight Focus. International connections Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur will be another internship destination available to RP School of Hospitality students after the signing of a three-year MOU. Undergoing their industry attachments at the international business hotel in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, students will gain greater multi-cultural exposure and increase their future employability. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, staff from 14 polytechnics are set to benefit from RP’s expertise, especially in the area of Problem-based Learning. Under an MOU with the Polytechnic Association of Indonesia, RP will help launch an 18-month Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme, to which the Temasek Foundation has donated a $425,000 grant. This capability-building programme aims to raise Indonesian polytechnics’ overall quality of TVET education, in line with the long-term objectives of the Indonesia Ministry of Education

More opportunities available with new partnership with One Farrer Pte Ltd

Inking of the MOU with DBS Bank

and Culture to improve their industry relevance. Well-financed DBS Bank has extended its collaboration commitment with RP School of Hospitality with a new MOU signing. Opportunities will include student attachment programmes and site visits, recruitment initiatives, scholarships, and joint research. The hospitality school has also signed a three-year collaboration agreement with NTUC Income, aimed at working closely on research, curriculum development, and scholarships. NTUC Income is also the kind sponsor of the Kindness Virus Project, a student-led initiative by RP School of Hospitality to encourage acts of kindness.

New collaboration with NTUC Income

Warm hospitality Scholarship, gold medal award, joint research opportunities, and staff exchanges will extend educational opportunities to RP hospitality students after the signing of an MOU with One Farrer Pte Ltd, owner of One Farrer Hotel and Spa. HPL Hotels & Resorts, which runs 12 properties in Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean, has also shown its commitment to talent development and research with the signing of a three-year MOU with RP. The partnership will enable more collaboration opportunities, including student attachments, site visits, and sponsorships. The Contact Centre Association of Singapore has endorsed RP School of Hospitality’s programmes with a threeyear MOU that includes recruitment

MOU signing with the Contact Centre Association of Singapore

initiatives for graduating students. In addition, there will be collaboration projects that will expose students to the changing landscape of the contact centre industry. Future talent SPRING, the government agency responsible for supporting local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has initiated a talent programme to bring together RP, the four other polytechnics, and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) with six trade associations and chambers. An MOU was signed by the programme participants and witnessed by Guest-of-Honour Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for Trade and Industry. Known as the ‘SME Talent Programme’, this initiative aims to attract local students to join SMEs. Sponsoring SMEs will be matched with suitable local polytechnic and ITE students. Under this programme, students will receive tuition fees sponsorship, study allowance, and a sign-on bonus in return for serving a twoyear bond with the SME after graduation.

Profile

Changing the world one project at a time Mr Ashley Chua, Deputy Director, RP School of Applied Science, explains how the school is engaging with some fundamental challenges facing Singapore

veryone needs a sense of purpose and I am driven by the ability to make a difference to people’s lives in my own small way. My role is to ensure the school is well positioned to mobilise its resources to help affect changes that improve the lives of the general population. RP School of Applied Science is on the frontline of some big issues. We are looking at how best to provide a strong, stable and healthy food supply and clean water, how to use resources and materials most efficiently, and how to reduce waste. One of our projects, for example, looks at the conversion of vegetable oils and other waste oils into biofuel. In doing so, we help to mitigate issues of concern to Singapore and other countries with ageing, densely populated cities. I enjoy seeing tangible results. Our role as a polytechnic is to translate upstream research into something that companies can actually implement and commercialise downstream. In this ecosystem, it is about bridging the gap between the blue skies and what companies can use on the ground.

“Our role in this ecosystem is about bridging the gap between the blue skies and what companies can use on the ground” 14

My fascination with science started when I was very young. I used to have a tendency to take things apart, almost everything that I could get a screwdriver into just to see how things around me worked. I could not always put them back together again so it got me into a lot of trouble. Another major influence was the Science Centre Singapore, where my mum would often take me to when I was in primary school. Our school now collaborates with the Science Centre, so for me it feels like something of a homecoming.

The big trend in science is towards commoditisation. Fifteen years ago, DNA sequencing would have been impossible for an individual. Now you can do it on your lab bench top. In another decade or two, so many of the technologies you see now only in laboratories will become mainstream for consumers. For example, 3D printing – only recently it seemed like something out of science fiction but now there are researchers working on 3D printing for human implants. These are certainly exciting times. Not long after 9/11, I was handling hoax anthrax letters. I was working as a scientist at Singapore’s Centre for Chemical Defence with DSO National Laboratories. The team was on-call 24 hours a day, ready to deploy if a suspicious sample was found. It was a high pressure environment because we did not have much time to process the samples. Our health was at risk too, of course. But my role was to make sure everyone else was safe and I saw real value in that. I definitely have a thrill-seeking side, although I believe every individual needs balance in life. I like fast cars and for the last couple of years I have taken my son to the Singapore Grand Prix, which is a great way to bond. Though I enjoy sports, sometimes all I want to do is to unwind in a quiet space. I have two kids, a nine-yearold son and a three-year-old daughter, so weekends are usually about catching up on reading, listening to music, and spending time with them.

Parting Shots Looking forward...to a bigger China

Happy New Year!

2 million

new children will be added to the 2014 economy in China thanks to the easing of the One Child Policy. This represents a 15 per cent one-year lift that will further boost consumer morale and spirit. Source: Boston Consulting Group

2014 officially started in Kiribati (aka Christmas Island) in the Pacific Ocean at 6 pm Singapore time on 31 December 2013. If you missed the countdown fireworks, head to www. guinnessworldrecords.com to watch the world’s biggest ever fireworks display. Source: Guinness World Records

Looking back….2013’s power couples Political power, financial resources, the ability to influence public opinion…or all three. These were 2013’s most powerful couples. Source: Forbes

Melinda and Bill Gates With a net worth of $67 billion, Bill Gates is the United States’ richest man. He and his wife Melinda run the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which also makes Bill the world’s most generous man.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé The first couple of music are close friends of the Obamas. They hosted a fund-raiser for President Obama during his re-election campaign in 2012, and Beyoncé later performed the national anthem at January’s inauguration.

Michelle and Barack Obama With 67% approval ratings, Michelle is the more popular half of the US’s first couple.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Parents of six, collectively known as “Brangelina”, the couple got engaged in 2012, but are yet to announce their wedding plans.

140 million people among Southeast Asia’s 600 million population still did not have direct access to electricity.

Source: International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook 2013 Special Report on Southeast Asia Energy Outlook

2035

the Asia Pacific region will account for more than half the planet’s energy consumption. Source: Asian Development Bank

Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan Peng Liyuan is a former superstar folk singer and the stylish second wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Facebook account holders share more than 25 billion pieces of content every month. Today, more videos are uploaded to YouTube in 60 days than all three major US networks created in the last 60 years. Source: Google 2013; INEGI; Maplink

ACE Your Career ACE@RP is the continuing education and training (CET) arm of Republic Polytechnic (RP). We promote lifelong learning amongst working adults so that they can remain valuable participants in a knowledge-based economy. ACE@RP offers various academic and executive programmes for aspiring professionals.

ACE@RP offers Part-time Diploma programmes and Post-Diploma programmes for adult learners to upgrade their skills and knowledge. NEW INTAKES EVERY APRIL AND OCTOBER! Engineering and Logistics

Enh fun anced sup ding p up ort 95%to *

Sports and Health Sciences

Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management Specialist Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science Part-time Diploma in Engineering (Operations and Engineering Management) Specialist Diploma in Sports Event Management Part-time Diploma in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)

Infocomm and Technology Specialist Diploma in Mobile Applications Part-time Diploma in Infocomm and Digital Media (Information Systems)

Pedagogy and Curriculum Design Specialist Diploma in Applied Learning and Teaching

Diploma (Conversion) in Outdoor and Adventure Learning

Applied Science Part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Nutrition and Food Science)

Business Practice and Management Part-time Diploma in Business Practice (Hospitality) Part-time Diploma in Business Practice (International Human Resource Management)

* SME-sponsored applicants enjoy 90% course fee subsidy. Applicants eligible for the Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme enjoy 95% course fee subsidy. Terms & Conditions apply.

ACADEMY FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION @RP Tel 6697 1699 Email ACE@rp.edu.sg Web www.rp.edu.sg/ace