Student Academic Award Recipients 2009
Chew Yi Xian Eunice

Diploma in Technology and Arts Management, Board of Governors Award

About the Awards | 2010 Recipients | 2009 | 2008 | 2006/07

Ask Eunice Chew about Republic Polytechnic (RP) and you'll find she has lots to say. Among the pioneer batch of graduates from the Diploma in Technology and Arts Management course, this upbeat 21-year-old gives Rapport Magazine an overview of her course with great enthusiasm.

"We learn how to manage arts events such as exhibitions, theatre productions and big-scale arts festivals. We also learn about stage design, costumes, how to interpret a script and even how to draft artist contracts," she lists.

Before entering RP, Eunice was enrolled in an interior design course at another polytechnic. After a year, she wanted to switch to a media and communications course but wasn't allowed to do so. That was when she called it quits and joined RP. Today, graduating as one of the top students in her field, Eunice is grateful to RP for giving her a chance to shine.

"RP has a very different approach; learning is very hands-on while PBL encourages you to find solutions for yourself. The close connection we have with our facilitators allows us to tap on their industry experience." And with daily class presentations, students become more articulate. "Even the quietest students is forced to speak up," laughs Eunice. "This equips us with the skills to present ourselves in society."

As for the reflection journal that all students have to submit at the end of the day, Eunice is characteristically effusive. "I love writing my reflection journal. Not only does it train you to write better, it's a good way to recap the events of the day and prompts you to think deeper - a crucial part of education."

With plans to further her studies at a local or overseas university, Eunice says her dream job is to work in the public sector promoting Singapore arts because "this area needs a lot of work".

As the valedictorian for the School of Technology for the Arts in 2009, Eunice has done RP proud. She was awarded the Nanyang Scholarship to pursue Communication Studies at the NTU Wee Kim Wee School of Communication. She was previously awarded the NAC Georgette Chen Scholarship.