Published for industry partners of Republic Polytechnic
Paving the Road Ahead 3
JULY 2015
Paying it Forward 12
Preparing for Success 13
SkillsFuture and You
July 2015
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EDITOR’S NOTE
CONTENTS 5
In light of the passing of modern Singapore’s founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, we have dedicated some sections in this issue to remember his tremendous contributions to education and Singapore’s economy. Mr Lee advocated an education system centred on meritocracy and bilingualism. This has served Singapore well in giving students fair opportunities to strive for excellence, while bilingual skills give Singaporeans an edge in overseas markets. Mr Lee himself was committed to lifelong learning and contribution. He never ceased his Mandarin lessons, was always abreast with local and world issues, and as Minister Mentor, never stopped exploring ways to improve Singapore.
“ Education is the most important factor for our next generation’s success.” The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, addressing guests at Tanjong Pagar ward’s National Day dinner on 16 August 2013
Republic Polytechnic (RP) continues to build upon Mr Lee’s legacy by creating inquisitive and dynamic graduates who can contribute to building Singapore. In line with SkillsFuture, RP has stepped up efforts in equipping our students with vital skills through industry partnerships, while providing avenues for continuing education through ACE@RP; read more in Feature (pg. 5). Through industry collaborations, RP ensures that students are well-prepared for the workforce even before graduation. For example, the new teaching dispensary will give students a simulated experience of working in a hospital dispensary before their internship commences (pg. 2). We are happy to share some exciting RP news: •O ur students’ stellar efforts in the media have been recognised by local media giant, MediaCorp. •T his year’s Career Fair was the largest to date. Among the 100 companies present, Micron, a global leader in the semiconductor industry, even hired 15 students on the same day. You can read more about these two stories in News & Updates (pg. 9-11). We look forward to hearing any suggestions to enhance or diversify RP’s diploma and training programmes. You can email us at help-occ@rp.edu.sg. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of incoRPorate. Sincerely, Ronald Wong Director, Office of Corporate Communications
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PARTNERSHIPS 2 Exciting opportunities await our students with these industry partnerships
FEATURE 5 An inside look into SkillsFuture and how it impacts you and your organisation
NEWS & UPDATES
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Catch up on the latest happenings within RP
HEART 12 RP appreciates donors and students alike who pay it forward with generosity and kindness
PROFILE 13 Beatrice Tan: Preparing for success
TREND WATCH
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In the minds of the Millennials Advisor Seto Lok Yin Editor-in-Chief Ronald Wong
Editors Michelle Tan, Tan Pin Yin & Renee Loh Publishing Consultant Paperclip Communications Pte Ltd
incoRPorate is published quarterly for Republic Polytechnic by Paperclip Communications Pte Ltd, Blk 1004 Toa Payoh North, #02-12, Singapore 318995. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The views and opinions expressed or implied in incoRPorate do not necessarily reflect those of Republic Polytechnic or Paperclip Communications Pte Ltd. Information is correct at time of print. JULY 2015
PARTNERSHIPS
RP Opens First Polytechnic Teaching Dispensary
A pharmaceutical student demonstrates how the dispensary works to Assoc. Prof. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary (Health & Transport) [2nd from right], Mrs Chew Kwee Tiang, CEO, KTPH [far right] and Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO, RP [far left]
“ Many of [RP’s] graduates have joined us, and this collaborative effort will ensure that they have the industry experience to hit the ground running.” Dr Doreen Tan, KTPH’s Head of Department (Pharmacy)
The teaching dispensary is modelled closely after operational hospital dispensaries
Together with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), RP launched the first teaching dispensary in a local polytechnic, which provides pharmaceutical sciences students with hands-on experience in processing medical orders and dispensing medication. The new facility was launched during RP’s Open House, which was graced by Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport, Assoc. Prof. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. The RP-KTPH Teaching Dispensary houses over 600 different medications. Classes will simulate and incorporate a realistic operational workflow to give students an immersive experience to better prepare them for work in a real hospital setting. RP shows its support for SkillsFuture through deeper industry collaboration, as it grooms aspiring healthcare professionals in pharmaceutical operations. This will increase its students’ employability, as they acquire valuable knowledge and skills even before their internship begins. At the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Faishal highlighted the challenge of providing quality healthcare for an ageing population. He emphasised the need for strong partnerships between education and health institutes, such as that between RP and KTPH, to ensure that a skilled workforce grows alongside new infrastructure to meet healthcare needs.
Singtel Offers its First Diploma Scholarships “ Through our scholarships, we can help polytechnic students acquire relevant skills, and then develop them in critical roles within Singtel and across the broader industry.” Bill Chang, Country Chief Officer (Singapore), Singtel
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat graced the event and tried out a mobile app developed by students
Earlier this year, RP and Singtel inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which introduced the Singtel Cadet Scholarship Programme. Singtel is committed to offering 90 scholarships worth over $2 million annually across three diploma programmes at RP and Singapore Polytechnic. The Singtel Cadet Scholarship Programme aims to nurture RP’s Diploma in Customer Relationship and Service Management students in Customer Experience. It will
include a 24-week-long internship and a one-year bond upon graduation, with the possibility of overseas assignments and degree scholarships. This Programme displays a holistic commitment to the SkillsFuture objectives of encouraging multiple pathways upon graduation and encouraging employers to recognise skillsbased qualifications. For more details of this partnership, please refer to our main feature, SkillsFuture and You on pg. 5.
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PARTNERSHIPS
“ With the new MRT system, there will be new depots set up in more parts of Singapore. At this moment, there is no specialised training for this kind of transportation personnel.” Dr Wang Jianguo, Director of RP’s School of Engineering
Paving the Road Ahead This MOU will bring about better integration between the transport sector and educational institutions to meet transport demands
In conjunction with the launch of RP’s new Diploma in Engineering Systems and Management (DESM), a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between RP, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), SMRT Corporation, and SBS Transit on 9 January 2015. Singapore’s transport industry is growing, as it aims to meet the needs of higher ridership. Under the Smart Mobility 2030 plan, LTA will be working with all transport providers to achieve a more interactive, sustainable, seamless and user-friendly transport system. There are also plans to expand rail services and increase the existing fleet of buses. Thus, more skilled professionals will be required in this area. In order to achieve these goals, RP teamed up with the biggest players in Singapore’s transport industry to supply skilled graduates to the transport sector through RP’s DESM programme. As part of this MOU, RP will work with LTA, SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit in curriculum development, to ensure that DESM students will be equipped to meet specific industry demands.
For example, DESM students will learn about fleet management and depot operations management in order to fill future shortfalls in this expertise. Dr Wang Jianguo, Director of the School of Engineering in RP, explains its importance: “With the new MRT system, there will be new depots set up in more parts of Singapore. At this moment, there is no specialised training for this kind of transportation personnel.” This collaboration will also give DESM students internship opportunities, for at least four months, to apply their knowledge. According to Kang Huey Ling, Principal of SMRT Institute, students can be placed in the operations management team or planning department to learn more about how SMRT Corporation plans their capacity and service operations.
MOU Gives Aerospace MRO a Boost RP and Setsco Services Pte Ltd (SETSCO) have inked a five-year Collaborative Training and Certification Agreement. SETSCO is a leading player in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT), and will provide international NDT personnel certification and offer 24-week internship placements to 10
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RP students every semester. NDT is a key activity undertaken by maintenance, repairs and operations (MRO) companies to ensure the structural integrity of aircraft components. RP intends to meet the growing need for NDT specialists by equipping students with vital skills for the aerospace industry.
This will benefit both employers and students who are eventually hired by these transport providers. Wong Wai Keong, Executive Vice-President of Rail, SBS Transit explains, “Typically it takes about two years for a freshman to come in and understand the system and its principles, and how to maintain and operate it. With this base foundation that [these students] already have, we can probably cut [training hours] by half.” This saves future employers training costs, and ensures that DESM graduates have industry-relevant skills, and can begin meaningful work at a faster pace. Other benefits for students from this MOU are the opportunities for sponsorship, in the form of scholarships and book prizes, and the chance to take part in collaborative projects. Furthermore, final-year DESM students will also be able to specialise in either Urban Transport Solutions or Intelligent Systems. These study tracks will further equip them with the skills they need to contribute to the burgeoning transport industry. The MOU demonstrates the combined effort between government agency, key industry operators and educational institutions in the drive towards attracting and training of land transportation professionals. The pioneer batch of 60 DESM students commenced study in April 2015.
Continuing Collaborations with Select Group
Mr Vincent Tan, Managing Director, Select Group, posing with the company’s Singapore Productivity Award 2014 trophy, is happy with the collaboration with RP
RP and Select Group cement their good relationship with more industry collaborations. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 11 February 2015, at the Diploma of
Industrial and Operations Management (DIOM) Industry Day. Select Group has been a leading food service provider for over two decades. It was one of the recipients
of the Singapore Productivity Awards 2014 for its useful adoption of several technological systems in its food catering business, to help streamline its production process. Select Group has sponsored RP events, offered scholarships, and mentored students under its Engineering Leadership (eLeap) programme. One RP student, Tan Jia Qi, who is currently undergoing an Industry Immersion Programme (IIP) with Select, was awarded the SME Talent Programme Scholarship. Two other RP students, Brendan Chan and Son Pei Qun, are under the eLeap mentorship programme. In return, Select Group’s productivity has benefitted from Final Year Projects (FYPs) undertaken by DIOM students. For their FYP, Goh Wei Hao and Liu Mengya focused on the workflow and productivity of Select Group’s central kitchen. They found ways to streamline preparation processes to increase efficiency and productivity, and their research findings will help Select Group improve their business. We hope to continue this symbiotic relationship between RP and Select Group and other companies that RP signed formal agreements with, on the DIOM Industry Day — AutoDESK, Creatz3D and Cummins.
Better Opportunities in the MICE Industry for RP Students
RP’s DIEM students will get better exposure to the MICE industry through this collaboration with SACEOS
RP signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) to prepare Diploma in Integrated Events Management (DIEM) students for working in Singapore meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) and events industry. The only professional trade association for the MICE industry here, SACEOS will mentor and provide students with internship opportunities with key industry partners. RP and SACEOS are also collaborating on the Inspire 360 Talent Development Programme, in which a pilot group of nine MICE and events companies will engage second-year DIEM students in their business activities. SACEOS will offer professional certifications to DIEM students too. This is SACEOS’ first such collaboration with an institute of higher learning, which will give RP graduates an edge with employment prospects in this sector.
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FEATURE
ENRICH
FULFILMENT INTERNATIONAL EXCEL DYNAMIC ABLE
SKILLS MASTERY
PROFESSIONAL
LIFELONG LEARNING EARN AND LEARN
DRIVE ACCREDITATION
INTELLIGENT
PARTNERSHIPS
INITIATIVE
INNOVATION
SMART
ADVANCE
CREATIVE WILLING CAREER PATHWAYS PROBLEM-SOLVER GUIDANCE
INDUSTRY-READY
INITIATIVE ADAPTABLE
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SkillsFuture & You
The new SkillsFuture initiatives spell good things for Republic Polytechnic and its industry partners. We showcase the various ways that Republic Polytechnic is an active proponent of SkillsFuture, which can benefit employers of all industries and sectors.
R
epublic Polytechnic (RP) has been steadily increasing its industry collaborations over the years. It has helped narrow the gap between what employers are looking for and what students learn through constant improvements to its diploma programmes. Supporting SkillsFuture The new SkillsFuture initiatives will enhance RP’s existing efforts to help students achieve skills mastery and contribute effectively to the workforce. SkillsFuture, as a national initiative, will also help employers acquire and train skilled workers, as well as assist employees in their career ambitions and skills upgrading. As an institute of higher learning (IHL), RP plays a pivotal role in preparing and educating their students, while working with the government and industry partners to manage the talent pipeline. At the moment, RP is focusing on three main areas — developing Education and Career Guidance (ECG) officers, enhanced internships, and the Earn and Learn Programme (ELP).
Giving guidance One of SkillsFuture’s targets is to have ECG officers in all secondary schools and IHLs. At RP, each student will receive 60 hours of ECG over three years of study, in various forms such as pre-internship training and career talks. RP’s lecturers will also undergo four hours of structured training to equip them with career advisory and mentoring skills. This benefits employers, as the ECG officers will prepare students for the challenges of the industry, making them better prepared and resilient when they enter the workforce. The Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling, run by the Academy for Continuing Education @RP (ACE@RP), represents RP’s commitment to grooming career guidance professionals, and facilitates the government in meeting its goal. Launched in 2014, this course has been very well-received as counsellors and professionals alike recognise the need to be equipped with skills to advise students on their future education or career pathways. Ready to excel RP has taken an active role in forming industry partnerships and collaborations, and provided all its students with internship
“ SkillsFuture aims to empower each Singaporean to chart their own journey in life, and gain fulfilment at work and even in their senior years.” Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance and Chairman of the SkillsFuture Council placements. The next step is to enhance these internships by increasing the baseline internship duration from four months to between five and six months, for a more structured and wellsupported learning environment for students, which is another key initiative in SkillsFuture. Graduates will thus be equipped with more experience and knowledge, and set to excel in the workplace right off the bat. Some examples of this include collaborations with Singtel and SETSCO. In partnership with SETSCO, RP students were trained and certified in vital skills for the aerospace industry before their graduation. “We hope this collaboration with RP will also align the educational curriculum closer to the needs and requirements of the local aerospace industry today,” Sze Thiam Siong, General Manager of SETSCO, explains. The Singtel Cadet Scholarship Programme is designed to give Diploma in Customer Relationship and Service
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FEATURE Management (DCRSM) students valuable experience and a head start in the industry. (Refer to pg. 2 and 3 for more information on RP’s partnerships with Singtel and SETSCO respectively.) Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of Workforce Development Agency concurs. “Singtel’s Cadet Scholarship Programme is exemplary of an organisation that takes ownership of skills development, as well as promotes career progression based on skills and mastery,” he says. Such collaborations between employers and IHLs will ensure that graduates going into the workforce are appropriately skilled and ready to contribute. Career head start Under the ELP, students can benefit from mentorship and a structured career pathway, through a work-study programme. RP’s industry collaborations, with companies like Singtel and logistics giant YCH Group (YCH), have enabled its students to get placements with its partners upon graduation. It also offers graduates the opportunity to pursue a Specialist Diploma, which is designed to deepen their knowledge while they work. RP was appointed the Programme Manager for the ELP in both Logistics and Hotel Operations and Management at the IHL level. Since February 2015, 18 logistics companies have come on board to offer jobs to RP graduates under the Programme. At the same time, RP offers these graduates a Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management, conducted by ACE@RP.
“ RP fosters close industry engagements to ensure relevant curriculum and skills-based training for our students.” Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO of RP SDV Logistics (Singapore), which has hired four RP graduates, believes that the ELP is beneficial to companies as it alleviates the talent crunch, while providing training and developing opportunities for assigned mentors. Claire Xu, involved in SDV’s talent development and engagement, has observed that RP alumni are positive and conscientious. She adds, “All their assigned tasks have been completed properly and on time, despite tight deadlines, which shows that they are responsible individuals with a sense of ownership.” Similarly, an MOU RP and YCH signed had also formalised a mentorship programme in 2014 where 20 students every year in RP’s Diploma in Supply Chain Management (DSCM) and Diploma in Industrial and Operations Management (DIOM) would undergo an internship, industry mentorship programme and a final-year project with the company. One DIOM graduate, Siti Nursyuhaidah Binte Azhari, completed the programme with YCH and was subsequently hired full-time. She gained excellent exposure in the logistics systems and processes, and was very diligent in her work, receiving perfect scores from her supervisors on her performance evaluation.
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This collaboration supplements “academic theory with practitioner-based experience to create all-rounded, futureready supply chain talents,” explains Dr Robert Yap, Chairman & CEO, YCH Group. Singtel’s Cadet Scholarship Programme also offers a one-year bond upon graduation, and a structured career progression. As Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO of RP explains, “RP fosters close industry engagements to ensure relevant curriculum and skills-based training for our students. The Singtel Cadet Scholarship Programme provides our students with the opportunity to be trained as customer experience professionals in a leading telecommunications company.” Building futures Continuing and lifelong education features strongly in SkillsFuture as well, which further enhances RP’s efforts in building a skilled workforce and empowering students through continuous and quality education. ACE@RP offers part-time diploma programmes, specialist diploma programmes and short courses for both young and mature students. One programme, the Specialist Diploma in Applied Learning
How can SkillsFuture help you? Here is a quick look at some features of SkillsFuture that will benefit you: EDUCATION AND CAREER GUIDANCE OFFICERS FOR Selected secondary schools, junior colleges, institutes of technical education (ITEs) and polytechnics WHEN Second half of 2015 onwards BENEFIT Students will be more likely to make well-informed education and career choices
& Teaching (SDALT) shows both RP’s commitment to continuing education for working adults and training effective educators who in turn teach and train the youth. “SDALT enabled me to improve on my [teaching], and more importantly, made me care, and be willing to do so,” shares Queenie Chan, SDALT valedictorian in 2014. Another SDALT graduate, Chiew Chin Pheng, highlighted the programme’s relevance in today’s educational sector: “Adopting educational technology to effectively engage with 21st century learners in choosing and applying appropriate e-tools [will help] to enhance the teaching of these digital natives.” Teachers who can meaningfully engage with their young students will inspire them to reach greater heights in their respective fields. With practical experience and academic qualifications, students will have the opportunity to progress far in their career. RP is working to achieve SkillsFuture aims and will continue to develop its curriculum around what employers need. By partnering with RP, diploma and training programmes can be catered to the demands of the industry and your organisation. RP graduates will thus be optimally prepared and qualified for the tasks ahead, creating a win-win situation for both graduates and employers.
ENHANCED INTERNSHIPS FOR Students of polytechnics, ITEs and universities FOCUS Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Hotel Operations and Management, Building and Construction, Food Services, Offshore and Marine Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Information and Communications Technology, and Retail WHEN 2015 onwards BENEFIT Students get a more meaningful internship experience and better support for structured workplace learning EARN AND LEARN PROGRAMME FOR Fresh ITE and polytechnic graduates WHEN 2015 onwards BENEFITS • Graduates will get a head start in careers related to their discipline of study and a smoother transition into the workforce • Companies are given opportunities to deepen their employees’ skills that are aligned to business needs. This programme, which comes with government funding, will also ease manpower shortages, support talent attraction, and enhance staff retention For more information, visit www.skillsfuture.sg or www.wda.gov.sg/content/wdawebsite/L209001About-Us/SkillsFuture.html
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NEWS & UPDATES
RP Hosts Largest Career Fair to Date
“ RP students are a good fit for our organisation; they are inquisitive and not afraid to ask questions.” Max Vesuna, Recruitment Specialist, Procter & Gamble (International Operations)
(Clockwise from top) These students are excited to attend RP’s largest Career Fair thus far; RP students are spoilt for choice in this year’s Career Fair; RP students can explore career options in the military; These Cisco representatives are enthusiastic about attracting the best talent for their organisation; The Career Fair is bustling with students exploring job opportunities; Students are now more aware of their career options
RP’s 10th Career Fair took place on 6 February 2015 with a record number of 100 exhibitors from various industries. The annual Career Fair offers a platform for RP students to explore career options and network with potential employers, such as Baxter, Changi Airport Group, Marina Bay Sands, and Procter & Gamble. This year, a total of 3,500 job opportunities were on offer. Micron, a global leader in the semiconductor industry, hired 15 students that very day.
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The number of participating companies has steadily increased over the years, with the fair in 2013 attracting 80 exhibitors. The enhanced employability of fresh RP graduates and greater response to this event can be attributed to the SkillsFuture initiatives. This year, the Electronics Pavilion was launched to promote career pathways into the semiconductor industry. With support from the Economic Development Board, Workforce Development Agency, and United
Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries, 15 electronics-related companies showcased their sector’s capabilities. Students who were on internships did not miss out on the action either. An online job portal was made available for four months to allow students to browse and apply for jobs. Through collaboration with the Employment & Employability Institute, a series of career preparatory workshops were also conducted in the run-up to the Fair.
From left: Yussof, Joey, Kassandra, Erwin, Pradeep (behind) and Sasi
DOAL Alumni Are Up to the Challenge Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Learning (DOAL) graduates share how RP has helped them become effective outdoor leaders. Three DOAL graduates have gone on to take up critical roles at Camp Challenge, which specialises in youth and character development through experiential learning and outdoor adventure camps. Sasi Kumar, who graduated in 2010, is a facilitator at Camp Challenge’s sister company, FOCUS Adventure. He runs team development and leadership programmes for corporate adults. Kassandra Chan, a graduate from 2013, is a project manager who drafts and sells programme proposals to clients. Her batchmate, Pradeep Pannirselvam, is an adventure learning instructor, who oversees the operations team, and runs instructor development programmes. As young practitioners, they had to work harder to prove themselves. “It was initially hard when clients questioned my capabilities because of my age,” says
Kassandra. However, being young also has its benefits. “I am more energetic and I can adapt to and embrace changes quickly. These traits are important for this job,” Sasi explains. Another challenge of this industry is staying abreast with the latest programme strategies through continual learning. Sasi elaborates, “You have to know your stuff. If you do not, people are going to think you are not credible. So I read books, critically analyse some models and write my own articles and papers on certain models and concepts to understand them better.” Their most rewarding experiences in RP came from the hands-on learning approach and overseas exposure. Given another chance, Pradeep would have liked to be “more involved in the
“ PBL is the best thing that has ever happened to me, as I solve problems and challenges every day. The PBL system has better equipped me to be ready for the everchanging environment.” Sasi, DOAL graduate
overseas trips that were organised by DOAL”, which would have given him more experience in this industry. The Problem-based Learning (PBL) model championed by RP also helped these graduates progress further. Sasi shares, “PBL is the best thing that has ever happened to me, as I solve problems and challenges every day. The PBL system has better equipped me to be ready for the ever-changing environment.” Kassandra agrees, “PBL allowed us to interact with our teammates to solve problems and gain self-confidence through presentations. It has trained me well in interacting professionally with my clients and participants.”
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NEWS & UPDATES
RP Students in the Media Spotlight
Mass Communication student Marcus Mark Ramos put his video editing skills to good use at Channel NewsAsia’s Digital Desk
For their expository documentary project, this group of CEC students travelled to Sri Lanka to get a first-hand look at how local communities have coped since the 2004 Asian Tsunami
Working together with MediaCorp, RP students showcased their work on Channel 8 and Channel NewsAsia. On 27 November 2014 and 4 December 2014, Channel 8’s Morning Express showed a two-part feature on a documentary produced by RP students. The feature included an adaptation of the documentary alongside interviews with Lee Joon Lei and Christina Liang, two of the four Centre for Enterprise and Communication (CEC) students involved in this project. These students went to Sri Lanka to document the lives of the victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami, 10 years on. It was an
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eye-opening experience for them, as they were very young then and did not fully understand the impact of the devastation shown on television. “I learnt that we need to treasure what we have now,” relates Christina, after witnessing the victims’ resilience in rebuilding their lives. They also gained valuable overseas exposure and video-editing skills, which will help them in their future careers. In featuring this documentary on Channel 8, MediaCorp recognises the high quality work these students have produced.
Making the news Another RP student, Marcus Mark Ramos, a Diploma in Mass Communication student who interned as a mobile journalist for Channel NewsAsia’s Digital Desk, received a letter of commendation from his senior editor, Chung Lyn-Yi, just halfway through his internship. She complimented him for being “impressive in his quality of work, especially in terms of video-editing and photography”. From the first day of his internship, Marcus was placed on assignment, and quickly became a crucial member of their team. “I didn’t even get a peek of the office that day!” he shares. During his internship, Marcus shot pictures and videos to supplement profile stories such as the MediaCorp Subaru Challenge. One of the first people on the scene of the Raffles Place robbery in November 2014, he was also the first to alert the Digital Desk and sent pictures of the incident as it unfolded. This allowed Channel NewsAsia to break the news first. More recently, he did the bulk of the videoediting for a special YouTube series on Lee Kuan Yew’s Battle for Merger radio talks. We are very proud that our students’ talents and efforts are being recognised by major media channels in Singapore.
HEART
DSLM Students Put Their Heart into the SEA Games
DSLM students bonding with MINDS members in their painting session
A group of Diploma in Sports and Leisure Management (DSLM) students set up and opened the first official Southeast Asian (SEA) Games merchandise store at Wisma Atria Shopping Centre on 1 November 2014. These 11 students interned at Sportz & Fitness Team, the official merchandising partner of the 2015 SEA Games. Sales from this store will go towards non-profit organisations such as the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), and the SportCares Foundation. The eco-friendly store was conceptualised and produced by local designers with the students’ assistance. For instance, the interior is made mostly of recycled pallets assembled by DSLM students, who also worked with MINDS to create acrylic paintings for sale in the store. Thrilled to be part of this sports milestone, one student, Sylvia Yit shared, “I am proud to say that there is no place I’d rather do my internship. I thank our SHL lecturer for his support and belief in us during this industry attachment. I have learnt so much.” Moreover, five of the interns had their contracts extended to manage the store and merchandise. One of them was even appointed as Overall Supervisor for the SEA Games merchandise. The 2015 SEA Games, which was held from 5 to 16 June 2015, involved more than 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 ASEAN nations.
Salesforce.com Prepares Students for the Future Ten second-year students from the Diploma in Business Information Systems, who came from lower-income backgrounds, were given the opportunity to train in the Saleforce.com Singapore office for two weeks during their term break. Salesforce is a world leader in customer relationship management (CRM), and the Singapore office is committed to helping youths who are keen to learn about business but are from under-served backgrounds. The young participants received great hands-on training and learnt real-world expertise as they worked on projects with Salesforce employees and mentors. The first week of the programme consisted of intensive training in ADM201, a cloud-computing CRM software. For the second week, participants attended the annual youth traineeship programme under BizAcademy, a partnership with the Halogen Foundation, a charity that provides opportunities for young leaders and entrepreneurs to shine.
Excited students with their ADM201 training instructor, Mr Amit Malik (Second from right)
Under this programme, the students recommended CRM solutions for the PACT Incubator, an organisation that helps budding social entrepreneurs grow their dreams through various workshops. They then presented their work to a panel of judges, comprising the IT Director of Sony, CEO of Viewqwest and managers from Salesforce. Ms Ivy Tse, CEO, Halogen Foundation Singapore was impressed with the participants’ willingness to learn and explore. The programme also opened the eyes of RP students like Isaac Chua, who reported that he “picked up useful skills such as interview skills and presentation know-how”. In April 2015, two internships in Salesforce, and seven placements with one of Salesforce’s clients were made available for RP students. The students are all smiles after completing the programme. (From left) Nur Rasyidah Bte Rasib, Tan Ruo Ting, Chua Pei Shan, Goh Si Zhen, Tan Ruo Ting, Leong Kah Hui Sandy, Rachel Poon Rui Xia, Tan Jun Jie Ferdinand, Tan Teck Yong, Isaac Chua
QBE Scholars Pay It Forward
The QBE-MILK Scholarship recipients for Academic Year 2014
Having received from others, QBE-MILK scholarship recipients from RP gave back to the community by helping needy residents in Woodlands as part of the QBE Community Service Day. Global insurer QBE Singapore has been donating to RP since 2012 through the Mainly
I Love Kids (MILK) Fund. Last year, they gave a generous donation of $75,000, which supported 15 QBE-MILK scholarship recipients. Hence, in collaboration with Food from the Heart, these QBE-MILK scholars, together with 46 QBE staff volunteers, distributed flyers, collected food and gave them to needy families living in 20 blocks along Woodlands Avenue 9. Since the inception of the QBE-MILK scholarship, its recipients have been actively doing their part for the community. In 2012, QBE-MILK scholars and QBE staff volunteers brought some senior citizens to Gardens by the Bay. In 2013, the students organised a charity carnival in RP, which featured performances, games, and basic health screenings.
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PROFILE
Preparing for Success As companies take a closer look at developing inhouse talent, career counselling will play a bigger role in organisations.
W
e talk to Beatrice Tan, Programme Chair, Diploma in Human Resource Management with Psychology, to gain some insights on her passion for human resource (HR), what career guidance and development professionals can offer in terms of pointing their students and clients towards the right career paths, and how RP is ahead of the curve. incoRPorate: What made you pursue a career in HR management? Beatrice: I didn’t consciously set out to be in HR. I was offered a job even before I sat for my final exams, and it happened to be in HR. Wanting to be financially independent, I took it up. Gradually, through my mentors within the organisation, I began to see the value and importance of HR. What did you see in HR that made you make it your career? Through my mentors at my first job, I learned about developing individuals, about how a person’s potential is important. How do you know the potential of a person? What’s the role of training and why is it important? I was drawn towards that whole area of learning how we change or influence people’s behaviour. Humans learn when there is a need to, when there is a problem to be solved and when there is an issue to be addressed. They don’t learn in a vacuum. These concepts influenced me. How important is it for companies and organisations to encourage training and learning amongst its employees? In order to fulfil our ever-evolving roles and responsibilities competently, HR professionals must be constantly learning and engaged in learning and development activities. Hence, RP’s new offering — Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling — is apt as it trains professionals to be career guidance counsellors within their workplace. We need to acknowledge that we play a very important role in ensuring good employee-employer fit, staff retention and more. What are some factors that influence us into pursuing a particular career? The career choices that we make are often influenced by the experiences we go through, the people around us, and hopefully, a clear understanding of who we are, like our strengths, values, what we are trying to achieve and the life that we want to have.
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SkillsFuture is all about providing Singaporeans with opportunities to develop their true potential. How is RP doing that for its students and how will it benefit them in the industry? SkillsFuture is really all about lifelong learning and this vision resonates with RP very well. The people who set up RP were visionaries. Most schools operate on lectures, etc, because this is what you need to know to pass exams. You regurgitate information. In RP, you solve problems with a team because that’s what you do in a real workplace. We don’t give lectures on how to solve the problem because in the real world, the boss won’t tell you how to solve the problem. You need to bring your brains to work and apply creativity to problem-solving. This problem-based learning approach — the ability to search for information; work with people; tear down a problem into its parts; applying creative thinking; reconstructing creative concepts — is fantastic because it forces the students to look for answers. And these skills will take them places when they step out of school into the working world.
Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling WHAT Equips participants with the essential counselling and coaching competencies in the field of career counselling, which will enable them to become career counselling practitioners or incorporate career counselling into their current roles SCOPE Two Post-Diploma Certificates (Career Counselling and Coaching as well as Career Development) with three modules each WHO SHOULD ATTEND Human resource professionals, career counselling practitioners, trainers, career placement consultants, teachers, counsellors, public servants
TREND WATCH
In the minds of the Millennials Millennials — those born between 1981 and 1995 — are the future of our workforce. Here are some things employers need to know about this diverse and independent-minded group of people.
W H Y M I L L E N N I A L S M AT T E R 1
39% of millennials in the Asian travel industry are likely to stay in their current company for the next year
By 2025, one in four in the general global workforce will be a millennial
MILLENNIALS TEND TO BE QUICK TO SWITCH COMPANIES IN THE HOPES OF BETTER PROSPECTS AND JOB SATISFACTION
W H AT M I L L E N N I A L S V A L U E 2 Companies with purpose
75%
of millennials believe businesses are too focused on their own agendas and not doing enough to improve society
W H AT T H E Y D I S L I K E 2
10%
Bosses being driven by financial results
6%
“Autocratic” bosses
TO P T H R E E W O R K - R E L AT E D F E A R S 3
Getting stuck with no development opportunities
Not being able to realise their career goals
Not finding a job that matches their personality
Sources: 1. The Asian Millennial Workforce and the Travel Industry, 2. The 2015 Deloitte Millennial survey, 3. The Millenial Series
July 2015
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Problem-Based Learning Institute (PBLI) offers a comprehensive suite of training programmes for the public. It caters to both the education and corporate sectors. These training programmes aim to introduce participants to the principles of PBL, its philosophy as well as its practical applications. For more information, please visit www.rp.edu.sg/pbli or email us at pbli_enquiries@rp.edu.sg.
ACE Your Career
Enhanced funding support of up to
ACE@RP is the Continuing Education and Training arm of Republic Polytechnic (RP). We promote lifelong learning amongst working adults, so that they can remain valuable participants in a knowledgebased economy. ACE@RP offers various academic and executive programmes for aspiring professionals, as well as Part-Time Diploma programmes and Post-Diploma programmes for adult learners to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
95%
New intakes every April and October! APPLIED SCIENCE
INFOCOMM AND TECHNOLOGY
• Part-Time Diploma in Applied Science (Nutrition and Food Science)
• Part-Time Diploma in Infocomm and Digital Media (Information Systems)
• Specialist Diploma in Advanced Composites
• Specialist Diploma in Mobile Applications • Specialist Diploma in Business Analytics
BUSINESS PRACTICE
TEACHING AND COACHING
• Part-Time Diploma in Business Practice (Hospitality)
• Specialist Diploma in Applied Learning and Teaching
•P art-Time Diploma in Business Practice (International Human Resource Management)
• Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling
ENGINEERING AND LOGISTICS
SPORTS AND HEALTH SCIENCES
• Part-Time Diploma in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)
• Part-Time Diploma in Sports (Coaching)
• Part-Time Diploma in Engineering (Operations and Engineering Management)
• Specialist Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science
• Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management SME-sponsored applicants enjoy 90% course fee subsidy. Applicants eligible for the Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme enjoy 95% course fee subsidy. Terms and conditions apply.
ACADEMY FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION @RP T 6697 1699 • E ACE@rp.edu.sg • W www.rp.edu.sg/ace