14 Feb 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE

MARVEL AT STUDENTS’ INNOVATION

AND EXPERIENCE MISSIONS GALORE

It’s All Happening at the

Republic Polytechnic Open House

17 – 19 Feb 2005

Visitors to the Republic Polytechnic (RP) Open House will get to take home an innovative lifestyle product that has yet to hit the retail stores.

Developed in three months, the first-of-its-kind product comprises a tube of botanical extract and sponge tissues. The botanical extract is sprayed on the tissues which can then be used for moisturising the face and body, and as a deodorant for removing dirt, grease and odour.

The product is developed by three students from RP’s School of Applied Science, as part of an industrial collaboration with a lifestyle company, Royale Wings International Pte Ltd.

Two thousand samples of the product will be distributed to visitors at RP’s Open House, to be held from 17 to 19 Feb 2005, 10am to 6pm daily.

Prof Low Teck Seng Principal and CEO of RP, enthused about the breakthrough by the students: “The students were given a challenge and they came through with flying colours. Within a relatively short time, they developed an innovative product which is seen as commercially viable and will be made available for retail soon.”

Prof Low sees the product innovation as an offshoot of RP’s Problem-Based Learning approach which equips students to be creative and think and work out-of-the-box. “They are given the opportunity for creative expression and all-round versatility,” he said. “Besides product development, they have to do pre and post market surveys and product testing, and be attuned with manufacturing processes and cost competitiveness – they have to be not only creative but also market savvy.”

The students will be doing product promotion and gathering consumer feedback at the RP Open House, which will also feature a wide range of exciting missions.

Visitor enjoy their pick of cool activities and technological marvels. They choose to experience different missions at their own pace. From taking on a robot in a soccer or golf game, to becoming news broadcaster or an actor for a day, to solving a crime CSI-style. All designed to demonstrate what a Problem-Based Learning education at RP would be like - challenging, spirited, fun and adventurous.

Apart from embarking on the exciting missions, visitors will of course get first hand information to help them decide on their course of study. There are four new diplomas being offered by RP.

The newly launched School of Technology for the Arts offers the Diploma in New Media while the School of Applied Science offers two new diplomas - the Diploma in Biotechnology and Diploma in Materials Science.

In addition, the School of Information and Communications Technology is offering a new Diploma in Business Applications. RP’s fourth school is the School of Engineering.

More details on RP are available at www.rp.sg

You are cordially invited to cover first day of the Republic Polytechnic Open House:

Event : Republic Polytechnic Open House

Date : 17 February 2005

Time : 10am

Venue : Republic Polytechnic, Tanglin Campus, 1 Kay Siang Road, Singapore 248922

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For media RSVP, enquiries and interviews, please contact:

Augustine Low

Email: gus@rp.edu.sg Tel: 9274 2489

Emma Sue

Email: emma@rp.edu.sg Tel: 9111 5500