Republic Polytechnic

Republic Polytechnic
Politeknik Republik  (Malay)
共和理工学院 (Chinese)
Type Public
Established 2002
Location Woodlands, Singapore
Campus 20 hectares
Website http://www.rp.edu.sg/
Republic Polytechnic
Agency overview
Jurisdiction Government of Singapore
Agency executive
  • Mr David Wong, Chairman, RP Board of Governors
Parent agency Ministry of Education

Republic Polytechnic (Abbreviation: RP) is a tertiary institution located in Singapore. It was the first school system in Singapore to use Problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogy for all its diplomas.[1][2] As an industry-oriented alternative to a broader based high school education, polytechnic graduates in Singapore are sought after for work or many continue to complete university degrees. In contrast to polytechnics in the United States and UK, polytechnics in Singapore admit majority of their students after middle school (secondary school), which is after 10 years of formal education. Diplomas in a specialized area of study, for example Biomedical Science, are awarded after completing 3 years of studies.

RP's project team began operating in the premises of Data Storage Institute,[3] National University of Singapore in January 2002. On 1 July 2002, it shifted into Tanglin Campus which was previously occupied by the Ministry of Education, Singapore. It opened its doors to the first intake of students in 2003 before moving to the current Woodlands campus in 2007.

Campus

The Republic Polytechnic campus
A building within the Republic Polytechnic campus
The Republic Polytechnic Cultural Centre

On 31 July 2007, RP's Woodlands campus was officially opened by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.[4] The campus was designed by Japanese architect, Fumihiko Maki[5] and DP Architects. Completed in 2006, the new campus is able to cater 13,000 students. It is conceived as a campus with a central nucleus which contains 11 learning Pods (8-9 storeys high) which are unified by 2 elliptical decks of common facilities, namely The Lawn and The Agora.[6]

Also known as a Paperless Campus, RP's Woodlands campus is backed by IT-supported network for both academic and administrative functions.[7][8] It employs state-of-the-art technology, through its solid wireless IT infrastructure supported by a comprehensive hardware-software system. In line with its green approach, environmentally friendly features such as fritted glasses, flooring made from recycled nylon and tyres, and sunshade louvres were integrated in the building design.[9] Replacing the conventional air-conditioning system, the campus is equipped with tanks containing chilled water, which are recharged at night using low tariff electricity. This significantly reduces overall electric consumption.[10]

In 2008, RP earned the ASEAN Best Practices for Energy Efficient Buildings Competition under the New and Existing Buildings category.[11] While in November 2009, RP was awarded the Green Office Label under Project Eco-Office by the Singapore Environment Council. The Green Office Label (2001-2011) reaffirms RP as an environmentally friendly work place.[12][13] RP was later honoured with the President*s Design Award in 2010.[14] The campus was also the first to win the First-ever Singapore Green Mark Plantinum award for its eco friendly design.[15]

Schools and centres

RP partners with local and overseas universities for advanced standing arrangements for its diploma programmes. Graduates who are interested in continuing their education overseas typically can obtain up to 1.0 - 1.5 years exemptions from a degree programme.[16] As of 2015, RP has 7 schools and 2 academic centres and offers 42 full-time diplomas that train its students to be industry-ready upon graduation:[17][18]

RP believes in maximising students’ learning experience and has designed its curriculum to inculcate critical thinking, communications and problem-solving skills through its Problem-based Learning (PBL) pedagogy. Students are given problem statements in class, which are often presented in real world contexts related to their modules or their diploma programmes. Working in teams, students will explore, analyse, and develop a solution or a response to the problem statement. In the process, RP students need to draw on their prior knowledge, integrate new knowledge and skills and apply their collective know-how in order to meet the requirements of the problem statement to tackle the issues. Such highly contextualised and authentic learning experience therefore enables students to acquire and internalise a range of cognitive competencies and industry-ready skills, and stand them in good stead when they transit to the workforce upon graduation.

RP regularly review the breadth and depth of its curriculum to keep abreast of industry developments. With effect from Academic Year 2016, RP will be introducing the following new diploma - Diploma in Engineering Design with Business, School of Engineering

Achievements

The brains behind the winning Underwater Robotics submissions with their medals, together with Professor Oussama Khatib of Stanford University, President, International Foundation of Robotics Research.

Industry collaborations

On 26 January 2011, RP partnered with the integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Top performers from RP School of Hospitality will be selected to participate in a specialisation track in Theme Park and Attraction Management.[30][31][32]

RP and EON Reality, on 16 November 2010, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The collaboration aims to expand the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) industry through student internship programmes, academic module development, laboratory research and more.

Marina Bay Sands and RP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 9 September 2010.[33]

On 27 July 2010, International Business Machines (IBM) and RP, signed an agreement that makes the institution the first IBM Authorised Training Partner in ASEAN to offer professional certification and training on mainframe technology in Singapore and the region.[34][35]

To facilitate and support the growth of the sports industry, and to enhance the capability and professionalism of stakeholders in the industry, RP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore Sports Council on 13 May 2010.[36][37]

On 28 April 2010, RP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with High Tech Computer Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd (HTC) in which they will collaborate to train RP students in mobile application technology.[38]

Notable Alumni

Publications

References

  1. The Sunday Times: Education, Republic Polytechnic Singapore
  2. Channel News Asia: Republic Polytechnic Sees its Fifth and Largest Batch of Graduates
  3. Ministry of Education: Speech by Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, at the 1st Session of the 5th Graduation Ceremony of Republic Polytechnic
  4. Official Opening Ceremony of Republic Polytechnic
  5. Maki and Associates: Architecture and Planning
  6. BECA: Republic Polyechnic, Teaching Environment with Added Energy Efficiency
  7. WOW Vision: Republic Polytechnic Singapore, A Campus-wide Wireless Solution
  8. HardwareZone.xom: SingNet launches Wireless Campus Trial for Republic Polytechnic
  9. Green Journey without End
  10. BECA: Republic Polyechnic, Teaching Environment with Added Energy Efficiency
  11. Singapore Bags 5 ASEAN Energy Awards BCA.gov.sg: Singapore Bags 5 ASEAN Energy Awards
  12. Singapore Environment Council: Project Eco-office
  13. Past Eco Action Day
  14. DesignSingapore.org: President*s Design Award 2009
  15. World Architecture News: First ever Singapore Green Mark Platinum Award Awarded to Innovative Green Campus
  16. Republic Polytechnic: Advancement Pathways
  17. Ministry of Education, Singapore: Post-secondary Education
  18. GovMonitor: Singapore Outlines Importance Of Polytechnic Education
  19. The Straits Times: Silk so Strong you Can Turn it into Bullet-proof Vests
  20. NUS Enterprise: Creating "Super" Silk
  21. Channel News Asia: RP Develops iPhone-based Portable Brain Control System
  22. [Republic Polytechnic Shines at IES Design 2011 Republic Polytechnic Shines at IES Design 2011]
  23. I-CREATe: Bangkok, Thailand
  24. The Straits Times: Republic Poly Opens Campus Restaurant Run by Students
  25. Channel News Asia: Ice Queen Michelle Kwan Tests her Balance at Republic Poly
  26. TODAY online: Michelle Kwan Tries Out 'Wobble Board' - Republic Poly Balance Test Set to Feature at Coming Sports Institute
  27. Singapore Robotic Games
  28. ChannelNewsAsia: Republic Poly's underwater robots take top spots in competition
  29. RP: Republic Polytechnic Makes a Clean Sweep of Medals in Autonomous Underwater Robotic category at Singapore Robotic Games 2010
  30. CasinoSingapore.sg: Republic Polytechnic & RWS team up on theme park management programme
  31. newsXinMsn: Republic Poly teams with Resorts World on theme park & attraction management programme
  32. TimeDirectories.com: Resorts World to offer training, internship, jobs to poly students
  33. MarinaBaySands: Marina Bay Sands announces scholarships for Ten Republic Polytechnic students
  34. IBM.com: IBM and Republic Polytechnic to Groom Mainframe Professionals in ASEAN
  35. ConvergenceAsia: IBM and Republic Poly to groom mainframe professionals
  36. ChannelNewsAsia: Republic Poly, S'pore Sports Council to develop sports professionals
  37. RedSports.sg : Republic Poly and Singapore Sports Council sign MOU to develop sports professionals
  38. Asiaone: HTC to train poly students in mobile apps technology
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