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Students lined up at the drive-way towards The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC) in colourful
t-shirts boldly printed Republic Polytechnic on the front and they held blown up
balloons that rattled loudly and built more excitement. These students waited
patiently for the arrival of PM Lee, the GOH for this event.
 
Another group of students were already stationed at the lawn and enjoyed performances put up for them by various interest groups (IG). Dinner was a sumptuous spread of local delights and the lawn became alive with music, food, and crowd. The stage had “JUMP” splashed across its billboard and the band was playing energetically to cheers from the audience. Our students do know how to jive to live music. Meanwhile, Michael Lim from Office of Student and Graduate Affairs (OSG) led the crowd and raised temperatures with ooohs and ahhhs to the cool beats in the background.
Back at TRCC, calm sounds coming from Javanese gongs and drums of RP’s Gamelan group filled the lobby. Excited guests arrived, signed and left notes of goodwill on our tablet PC. At the entrance of the theatre, screening gantries were set up to ensure tight security. Our staff and student ambassadors played their roles well and guided guests to the venue.
In the theatre, our staff and students combination entertained guests with their mesmerising and well-rehearsed performances. As the audience waited for PM’s arrival, Wong Wai Sing, our staff emcee from Centre for Educational Development (CED), wowed the audience with self-depreciating but classy jokes. Just as guests were immersed in the performance, spot lights beamed at the entrance and our emcees announced the arrival of PM.
Among the guests, Mr Fumihiko Maki, the architect who designed RP's campus was present.
PM Lee praised RP in his speech. “RP’s pervasive use of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach is a first in the polytechnics and in Singapore. Everyday, students work in teams to look at problems from multiple perspectives. The students also hone their communication and presentation skills as they present, debate and defend their findings. They learn from one another, while developing important life skills. Having to look for resources on your own, grapple with problems with no clear-cut answers, and work with people with different strengths and personalities daily is good preparation for working life. Hence, it is no surprise that RP’s approach to learning has received positive feedback from many stakeholders”, he said.
RP aims to be more than just an academic institution. Prof Low, Principal and CEO of RP, announced that RP aims to be a culture and technological hub of the north too. Already having a borderless campus allows RP to welcome community within Woodlands to attend concerts and events held all year round. RP goes further by entering into partnerships with organisations like Parkway Healthcare Group and Workforce Development Agency to provide adults with lifelong learning opportunities in the near future.
After which, guests went to the Agora Exhibition to view booths on our
diplomas and its courses. Interestingly, student representatives from various IG
surprised guests at the Team Republic booth in the library with their
enthusiasm. One of them, student from School of Applied Science (SAS) Sheikh Muhammad Ally, braved the cold to appear only in a pair of yellow swimming trunks. He answered queries from interested guests about his participation in bodybuilding competitions.
The final stop for our guests was at the lawn. They travelled up the
escalator and were greeted by cheers from energetic students. As PM led the way
to the stage to launch the start of JUMP party, a collective group of students
shouted the RP cheer and jumped about in excitement. As food and party
entertained the crowd till late at night, fond memories and stronger bond were
established. It was a joyous celebration.
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