REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC AS FIRST FULLY PBL-BASED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN SINGAPORE;
SINGAPORE – 25 February 2003 – Republic Polytechnic is pleased to announce that today it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with over thirty leading industry players. Singapore’s first educational institution to fully adopt the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach, Republic Polytechnic is also the fifth and newest polytechnic to be set up. Using PBL pedagogy as the mode of instruction, The Republic offers an alternative learning roadmap for post-secondary students and lends diversity to Singapore’s present educational system.
This MOU signifies the intention to collaborate further in one or more of the following areas: joint co-development of laboratory facilities; co-ownership of laboratories and other facilities; interorganisation transfer of staff for synchronous information flows; donation of scholarships, bursaries, book prizes; mutually beneficial joint symposia and partnership programmes.
These thirty three companies are amongst the first batch of companies that have come forward to offer their expertise and more are expected to come onboard in the near future. The MOU also allows companies to establish wholly-owned laboratories on campus as well as participate in the polytechnic’s Adjunct Academic scheme. This scheme allows suitably qualified industry professionals to take up associate academic positions in Republic Polytechnic.
From this collaboration, The Republic seeks a mutually beneficial and rewarding relationship that will distinguish its strongly industry-linked, PBL-based pedagogy from the rest of the existing institutions of higher learning. Problem-based Learning is, in short, learning driven by problem-solving. Working in tandem with our partners, The Republic aims to create a curriculum that is highly relevant to current industry issues.
“Our students are expected to be different from the rest because of our unique approach. Few institutions can say that their students are equipped with problem-solving skills that are based on real time, real world situations. However, thanks to our industry partners and our close ties with them, we can produce industry-ready diploma holders,” commented Prof Low Teck Seng, Principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic.
Microsoft Singapore's Managing Director, Andy Zupsic said, "This collaboration with Republic Polytechnic confirms Microsoft's strong belief in working closely with the academic communities to continually develop new technologies and to strive for breakthroughs in technology development. As a software leader, we believe strongly in closing the digital divide, and our partnership with Republic Polytechnic to co-develop technology laboratories and work on joint developments in IT brings us closer to that goal."
For more information on Republic Polytechnic’s Problem-Based Learning pedagogy and courses, kindly visit our website at www.rp.edu.sg
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For further details on the abovementioned, kindly contact:
Office of Corporate Communications
Republic Polytechnic
DID : 6376 8012
Email : lim_le_anne@rp.edu.sg
Office of Industrial and International Services
Republic Polytechnic
DID : 6376 8092
Email : sundar_w@rp.edu.sg