Words by Md Norhidayat, Technical Support Engineer of the Office of Information Services

Just outside the lecture theatre on a Friday morning was the sound of enthusiastic youths brainstorming on their education path. Peirce Secondary School visited Republic Polytechnic (RP) for an introduction and a walk-through around the campus. Students were introduced to the facilities and courses offered here in RP; a hurdle every student will have to face before stepping into tertiary education.

Unique facilities

I mention this partly because, besides implementing a unique Problem-Based learning environment, RP’s architecture is a structure to marvel at. Not just a structure that constitutes a new level of comfort and accessibility, but more because of its resource saving features conceptualised by renowned award-winning architect Fumihiko Maki of Maki & Associates. Thus turning RP into one of the key players in supporting the global green conservation campaign.

By showcasing RP’s facilities and highlighting its features through a 20-minute video, students were brought into a new dimension of education opportunities right from their seats. Many were in awe and were amazed at what RP has to offer. More importantly, it built a distinct impression that the campus, being the youngest, seized the opportunity of learning and improving from other similar education institutes, as explained by Mr Chang York Boon, deputy director, Office of Estates.

Students won over

Many spoke highly of RP’s education credibility and approach. Suzanne, 15, a secondary 3 student, is looking forward to joining RP to major in Sports & Nutrition. Looking around, she exclaimed, “The campus is double the size of hotels and the whole campus is air conditioned!”

Tan Bai Yong feels the same way as any 1^st-time visitor. The campus is huge yet virtually every corner is highly accessible. He aspires to join the School of Technology and Arts to major in New Media Design. “I believe RP has what it takes to further develop and nurture the necessary skills and transform me to a talented graphic designer.”

Bai Yong’s classmate, Dong Wai Kiong, has his eyes set on the School of Sports, Health & Leisure. “I have always loved sports. Here, I have the chance to look at the anatomy of the body and how our food intake relates to our body.” He has heard about RP by word-of-mouth from his friends, but he never thought that it is far more superior to what he has imagined.