Republic Polytechnic

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Republic Polytechnic
共和理工学院 (Chinese)
Politeknik Republik (Malay)
Republic Polytechnic Logo.png
MottoBecoming Greater Me
TypePublic
Government
Established1 August 2002;22 years ago (2002-08-01)
Principal Jeanne Liew
Address
9 Woodlands Avenue 9
,
Singapore
Campus20 hectares (49 acres)
Colours    
Website https://www.rp.edu.sg/
Agency overview
Jurisdiction Government of Singapore
Parent agency Ministry of Education

Republic Polytechnic (RP) is a post-secondary education institution and statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Education in Singapore.

Contents

Established in 2002, RP is renowned for its sports science programs. It is also the first and only polytechnic in Singapore to use the problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogy for all of its programs. [1]

Under the problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogy, RP students will typically receive a problem statement from their lecturers at the start of each day before exploring the solutions to the problem in a group of three to five, and presenting the final solution to the class—where students will receive feedback from their lecturers and classmates.

RP's alumni include seven-time Paralympic gold medalist Yip Pin Xiu, 2021 BWF World Championships gold medalist Loh Kean Yew, sprinter Shanti Pereira, and Benjamin Kheng of The Sam Willows.

History

Aerial perspective of Republic Polytechnic's former Tanglin Campus Republic Polytechnic's former Tanglin Campus.jpg
Aerial perspective of Republic Polytechnic's former Tanglin Campus

Republic Polytechnic was established in July 2002. First located at the former Ministry of Education headquarters at Tanglin, the polytechnic was established as a statutory board a month later. The polytechnic admitted its pioneer batch of students in July 2003 across three schools, Applied Science, Engineering and Information and Communications (now Infocomm). In 2005, the polytechnic opened two new schools, Technology for the Arts and Sports, Health and Leisure.

Construction of the new campus in Woodlands was completed in stages. The Republic Polytechnic Centre was opened in November 2005 by Tharman Shanmugaratnam who was the Minister for Education. In March 2006, the polytechnic officially moved to its Woodlands campus and was declared officially open by Lee Hsien Loong the Prime Minister in July 2007.

In March 2008, the polytechnic opened a fifth school, the School of Hospitality, to support the growing hospitality sector. In 2012, the polytechnic renamed the Centre for Professional Development as the Academy for Continuing Education @ RP and launched its first part-time diploma. That same year witnessed the launch of the Centre for Enterprise and Communication (later renamed as the School of Management and Communication in 2016) and an aerospace training facility, The Aerospace Hub.

The Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management (COI-SCM) was launched in 2013 and this was followed by an Aquaculture Centre in 2014. In 2016, the Republic Polytechnic Industry Centre was launched to deepen industry collaboration and support upskilling for individuals, housing a suite of laboratories and experiential learning facilities under one roof.

The polytechnic opened the Republic Polytechnic Academy for Continuing Education @ Paya Lebar (RP ACE @ Paya Lebar) in November 2018 to bring its Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses closer to the public. and launched Singapore's first-ever SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme where students worked full-time with participating companies and took classes towards obtaining a part-time diploma. [2]

2019 saw the polytechnic opening an agriculture technology laboratory that features urban farming facilities and the launch of a part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Urban Agricultural Technology). [3] Two experiential training facilities in transport and cybersecurity were opened in the same year in partnership with the Land Transport Authority, and RSA and Ensign InfoSecurity respectively.

At the start of 2020, Republic Polytechnic partnered ST Logistics to launch the first healthcare supply chain lab in an institute of higher learning. At the beginning of 2021, Republic Polytechnic announced the launch of two new full-time diploma programmes, the Diploma in Sustainable Built Environment and the Diploma in Environmental & Marine Science. In August 2021, the polytechnic launched a new facility and initiative, the Entrepreneurial Partnership & Innovation Community (epic), an ecosystem to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship among its students. [4]

Republic Polytechnic marked its 20th anniversary in 2022 and also launched the Xperiential Learning Centre in Jan 2022, the largest inclusive outdoor adventure learning facility. The new facility is a first of its kind in Singapore featuring inclusive facilities catered to users of varying abilities, including the young, the elderly and persons with disabilities. [5]

In March 2023, Yeo Li Pheow retired as the polytechnic's Principal & CEO after helming the institution since 2008. [6] Following his retirement, Jeanne Liew was appointed as the new Principal & CEO [7] by the board of governors.

In October 2024, Republic Polytechnic revamped its curriculum and introduced the "Becoming Greater Me" framework, for students joining the polytechnic from Academic Year 2025. This framework is designed to help students discover their purpose by aligning their passions with both their academic and life pursuits. Anchored in the discovery of purpose, the new framework provides more opportunities for specialised learning, community engagement, and personal development. The polytechnic also implemented the "Designing Your Life" (DYL) concept, developed by Stanford University professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. This five-year student journey aims to empower students to pursue their life and career goals with intention and clarity.

The revamped curriculum also offers versatility by allowing students to design and pursue their own learning pathways. Students can enrol in a broad-based diploma across all academic schools and select their major and minor subjects in their second year. Minor programmes are available to all students under the new curriculum. Additionally, students have the opportunity to obtain industry-recognised certifications, participate in a one-year internship, or pursue a certificate mapped to a specialist diploma. Republic Polytechnic is also the first polytechnic to make service learning a mandatory requirement for graduation.

Organisation

The Republic Polytechnic campus RepublicPolytechnic-reflectingpool-20061129.jpg
The Republic Polytechnic campus

Diplomas awarded by Republic Polytechnic are recognised at both local and overseas universities. [8]

As of 2024, RP has 7 academic schools which offer 35 full-time diplomas: [9]

Additionally, the Academy for Continuing Education (RP ACE) offers several part-time and specialist diplomas, work-study programmes, and workshops. [10]

RP's Industry Immersion Programme (IIP) is an internship programme designed to give students a first-hand experience of the working environment and let them apply the knowledge they have gained from the classroom. Each year, final-year students are placed on internship with over 1,800 industry partners. The duration ranges from 10 to 14 weeks and is an integral part of the diploma programme. Some students have also pursued their internships overseas during their final-year of study at RP - which include Australia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, the United States and New Zealand. [11]

RP's Continuing Education and Training (CET) is a learning arm for upskilling and lifelong learning. In line with Singapore's SkillsFuture movement, these part-time programmes - short courses and certificates offered by the Academy for Continuing Education (ACE@RP) - allow learners to stay relevant in the current knowledge-based global economy. [12] They include:

In January 2019, the polytechnic launched the Diploma in Applied Science in Urban Agricultural Technology, the first full-qualification diploma course in agricultural technology in Singapore. The aim of the programme is to train the next generation of high-tech farmers so that the country can produce more of its own food. [13]

A building within the Republic Polytechnic campus RepublicPolytechnic-campus-20060406.jpg
A building within the Republic Polytechnic campus

Campus

On 31 July 2007, RP's Woodlands campus was officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. [14] The campus was designed by Japanese architect, Fumihiko Maki, [15] 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. [16]

Also known as a Paperless Campus, RP's Woodlands campus is backed by IT-supported network for both academic and administrative functions. [17] [18] Features such as fritted glasses, flooring made from recycled nylon and tyres, and sunshade louvres were integrated in the building design. [19] Instead of 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. [16]

In 2008, RP earned the ASEAN Best Practices for Energy Efficient Buildings Competition under the New and Existing Buildings category. [20] RP was also honoured with the President's Design Award in 2009. [21] The campus was also the first to win the First-ever Singapore Green Mark Plantinum award for its eco friendly design. [22]

Facilities

Industry collaborations

Republic Polytechnic collaborates with industry partners to establish and maintain close industrial linkages.

Some examples include:

Notable alumni

Entertainment

Media

Politics

Sports

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References

  1. ↑ "Republic Polytechnic, Singapore". sundaytimes.lk.
  2. ↑ "Lifelong Learning Made Easier". www.rp.edu.sg. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  3. ↑ Mohan, Angelii Trissha (11 January 2019). "Republic Polytechnic invests in urban farming with new diploma, lab". The New Paper. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Tay, Hong Yi (25 August 2021). "Republic Poly launches new facility to help start-ups, aims to inspire more students to be entrepreneurs". The Straits Times . Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "SM Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Launch of Republic Polytechnic 20th Anniversary Celebrations and Opening of Xperiential Learning Centre". Prime Minister's Office . 7 January 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "Mr Yeo Li Pheow steps down as Principal/CEO (PCEO) of Republic Polytechnic (RP)". Facebook. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "Senior Management". RP Main Site. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  8. ↑ "OIR Further Studies". www.rp.edu.sg. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Schools". RP Main Site. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  10. ↑ "About Us". Academy for Continuing Education. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Overseas Internships". www.rp.edu.sg. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "Academy for Continuing Education @ RP". www.rp.edu.sg. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  13. ↑ Teh, Cheryl (11 January 2019). "Republic Polytechnic launches course to groom high-tech farmers". The Straits Times.
  14. ↑ "Official Opening Ceremony of Republic Polytechnic". Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  15. ↑ "Maki and Associates: Architecture and Planning". Archived from the original on 3 May 2011.
  16. 1 2 "BECA: Republic Polyechnic, Teaching Environment with Added Energy Efficiency". Archived from the original on 7 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "casestudy". wow-vision.com.
  18. ↑ "HardwareZone.com.sg | Product reviews | Technology News | Blogs". www.hardwarezone.com.sg.
  19. ↑ Green Journey without End
  20. ↑ Singapore Bags 5 ASEAN Energy Awards BCA.gov.sg: Singapore Bags 5 ASEAN Energy Awards Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ "DesignSingapore.org: President*s Design Award 2009". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  22. ↑ "World Architecture News: First ever Singapore Green Mark Platinum Award Awarded to Innovative Green Campus".
  23. ↑ "Facilities". Republic Polytechinc. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  24. ↑ "Library & Archives Solutions Pte Ltd - Present & Past Projects". Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "Library & Archives Solutions Pte Ltd - About Us". Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  26. ↑ PARAMANANTHAM, MADHUMITA (5 June 2018). "RP students to get chance to work with game creator Ubisoft". The New Paper. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  27. ↑ Wang, Meng Meng (10 March 2018). "FAS signs MOU with Republic Poly on sports science". The Straits Times.
  28. ↑ "SACEOS". www.saceos.org.sg. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  29. ↑ "共和工院生产实验室 提供业界标准科技培训". 联合早报网. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  30. ↑ hermes (10 June 2016). "Schooling students in science, sense of shopping". The Straits Times. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  31. ↑ "Republic Polytechnic and Samsung unveil Android training and development lab and offer joint certification in Android apps development" (PDF). Republic Polytechnic and Samsung unveil Android training and development lab and offer joint certification in Android apps development. Republic Polytechnic. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  32. ↑ ""Republic Polytechnic collaborates with Rolls-Royce"" (PDF). www.rp.edu.sg. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  33. ↑ ""World Vision and Republic Polytechnic Pilot Youth Livelihood Programme to Drive Sustainable and Impactful Volunteerism"" (PDF). www.rp.edu.sg. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
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