Problem Based Learning Delivers Work Ready Students

Singapore’s first group of students trained in the “problem based learning” approach graduated from Republic Polytechnic (RP) today. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister, Ministry of Education was the Guest of Honour for the event.

The 619 RP graduates offer employers finely honed practical and problem solving skills developed over three years. Each day at RP, students are presented with challenging situations to which they must gather information and devise workable solutions. In the process, students are trained to think outside the box, be resourceful and not rely on others to hand them answers. As such, RP graduates are better able to analyse and solve problems such as those faced in the workplace.

“We believe these are the most ‘work-ready’ polytechnic graduates ever to enter the Singapore workforce,” Professor Low Teck Seng, Principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic said.

“Employers who are looking for graduates that can think and act independently will appreciate the skills of our RP graduates.”

“When we first set up RP, we were tasked to create a viable and credible alternative to more conventional approaches to education and to add diversity to the educational landscape in Singapore. After more than 3 years of hard work, our efforts are finally being rewarded as we witness our first group of students receiving their diplomas.”

“We have succeeded in creating a different kind of learning environment in Singapore driven by innovation and entrepreneurial learning which helps develop problem-solving skills and a commitment to life-long education in our students."

“We are proud of each of these young men and women and are confident that they will do well in whatever field they choose to pursue because they have been equipped to deal with changes in a knowledge-based economy,” Professor Low said.

Mr Richard Yeck, Chief Executive Officer of Royale Wings International Pte Ltd, welcomed the new breed of graduates saying they would revolutionise the workforce in Singapore. “These RP graduates are just what employers are looking for. The truth is you cannot learn everything from a book. Graduates need to be able to use their knowledge to move a project forward, not just memorise facts and figures.”

RP commenced operations in July 2003 and is the first educational institution in Singapore to adopt a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach for all its diploma courses. The inaugural graduation ceremony honours students from the School of Engineering, School of Applied Science, and School of Information and Communications Technology.

To graduate with a diploma, a student needs to complete 30 modules in 3 years, at an average of 5 modules per semester. Each module would typically have 4 contact hours weekly during which 25 students are divided into groups of five to work with a facilitator to set goals, present information and share knowledge. Each student is expected to spend 20 hours of scheduled contact time with facilitators per week over a 16-week semester. Students are assessed regularly in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

To ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills required for further learning, the three main diploma programmes are supported by programmes in areas such as culture and communication, innovation and enterprise and cognitive skills.