NEWS RELEASE8 SEPTEMBER 2008
PURSUING INDIA'S YOUNG AND BRIGHTEST
Republic Polytechnic’s Holistic Education Provides Valuable Skills to Prepare Youths for Future Industry Leadership Roles
CHENNAI, INDIA: Republic Polytechnic (RP), a Singapore tertiary institution that approaches learning with a difference, has announced that it has sent a high-powered delegation of administrative and academic staff to India, to pursue potential students for its academic year starting 2009.RP students from India have performed well and diplomas in Information Technology, Engineering, and Material Science are among the most popular; RP currently offers 30 diploma courses.
A graduate of Diploma in Information Technology in 2007, George Parel said, "The three years in RP have been exciting and influential in both my education and career life. RP's School of Information & Communications Technology has equipped me with the necessary skills needed in the working world and because of the PBL system, it has taught me to be more independent in my studies. The freedom to explore and improve myself in my own ways and interests has helped me the most." Mr Parel is currently a second year student at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Faculty of Arts, Design and Media. He was one of the eleven Indian students who arrived in Singapore in 2004.
Since 2006, RP has produced 1,547 graduates. More than 15% of graduates in each cohort enroll into the prestigious universities in Singapore – National University of Singapore (NUS), NTU and Singapore Management University (SMU) – upon graduation. RP has tied up with the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia to offer RP students in the field of biomedical sciences an additional pathway to gain a degree.
A pioneer graduate from Republic Polytechnic’s Diploma in Biomedical Sciences and Advanced Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, Sapna Devi, has done well to be offered two scholarships from Monash University in Australia. This happened just a year after she graduated from RP through its International Programme in Biomedical Sciences (IPBMS). Devi has obtained a first class honours from Monash University in 2007. She is pursuing a PhD with the scholarships.
India is RP’s key catchment area for pursuing the brightest students. Not only is India within close proximity to Singapore, it is a choice destination for students who want to pursue tertiary education. Notably, RP is the first polytechnic in Singapore to adopt the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach to all its curriculum offerings. PBL is particularly attractive to students in the manner which it builds students’ skills and knowledge in an engaging and explorative environment to prepare them for either career or higher education. In addition, RP provides a vibrant student life environment through overseas attachments, international exposures, service leadership, arts, sports and industry experience.
“Each year 4,000 new students enrol into Republic Polytechnic and become part of an important element in our approach to learning with a difference,” said Mr. Yeo Li Pheow, Principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic. “Our campus exudes an international flavour with a richness and diversity of cultures.
“RP is already gaining recognition in Singapore and overseas as an institution which provides students with holistic development through innovative and unique education that realises potentials and drives pursuit of aspirations to meet dynamic global needs.”
RP understands that students require financial assistance and gives out scholarships, bursaries and study awards to needy students who meet or exceed its admission standards (http://www.rp.sg/admissions). Furthermore, the Singapore Government has set aside tuition grants where students can apply to the Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) for about S$14,000 per annum in tuition grants. This scheme is subjected to existing MOE policy and is open to all eligible students who are enrolled in full-time diploma courses.
Under the MOE’s guidelines, foreign student school fees are about S$3,500 (107,995 Rupees) per year. Monthly living expenses in Singapore, which covers board and lodging, cost between S$450 and S$600. In addition, each student should set aside about S$1,500 to purchase a laptop. At RP, which operates in a paperless and high-tech environment, the laptop is an essential tool of learning.
For media queries and interview opportunities, please contact:Republic Polytechnic
Benjamin Chow
Tel: +65 31001779
Email: benjamin_chow@rp.sg
Mileage Communications Pte Ltd
Kelly Ooi/ Ronald Wong
Tel: +65 62221678
Email: kelly@mileage.com.sg / ronald@mileage.com.sg
About Republic Polytechnic
The first educational institution in Singapore to adopt the Problem-Based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic has six schools and one centre offering thirty diploma courses in Information & Communications Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, Technology for the Arts, Sports, Health & Leisure, Events and Hospitality, Innovation and Enterprise, and Culture and Communication. Republic Polytechnic is committed to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial learning in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills and a life-long learning attitude. Its holistic, broad-based curriculum, covering culture, enterprise development and cognitive processes, prepares students for an active and meaningful role in society. Republic Polytechnic strives for excellence by achieving various national and international accreditations, including People Developer Standards, ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001, Singapore Quality Class, Singapore Innovation Class, and the Singapore Health Awards (Gold). For more information, visit http://www.rp.sg.
