In 2023, RP marked another exceptional year with significant milestones and accomplishments attained by our students and staff. Not only did we continue to bolster the quality of education for learners, but we also stayed ahead of industry needs through fruitful partnerships, innovation, and research. Our efforts to increase top-of-mind recall and strengthen RP’s position as a preferred choice of Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) have been successful. In Academic Year (AY) 2024, RP experienced a 3.2% year-on-year (YOY) increase in our intake for full-time diploma programmes, surpassing 4,000 for the first time since 2018. In addition, we witnessed a 34.2% YOY increase in our Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) enrolment. These encouraging figures reflect the growing preference for RP among prospective students.
We are pleased to report that RP has concluded the Financial Year (FY) with a surplus, our first since FY2018. In addition to enhanced funding support from the Ministry of Education (MOE), we adopted several cost management strategies aimed at reducing operating expenses. These measures include the strategic optimisation of outsourcing services and the implementation of sustainable initiatives geared towards reducing electricity and water usage on campus.
Green initiatives
RP has also made significant strides in our commitment to environmental sustainability. As an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), we have fervently supported the needs of Singapore and our industries in embracing sustainability by building a talent pipeline for urban agriculture and agritechnology. Going a step further, we formalised the RP Green Plan in February 2024, which sets out our institute’s sustainability roadmap in the coming years. Through this plan, we are concentrating efforts and mobilising more resources to attain bolder carbon reduction targets by 2030.
The RP Green Plan is backed by four Sustainability Pillars where we work towards building a greener Campus, using Education to deepen our staff and students’ understanding of climate issues while nurturing a talent pool for the Industry, strengthening our research and development efforts and partnerships, and cultivating a culture of sustainability within our RP Community.
In January 2024, RP received the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy (SLE) Award for our main campus. We are currently the organisation with the largest gross floor area in Singapore to have attained the SLE Award.
In the past year, RP School of Applied Science (SAS) broke new ground by converting okara, a soy-based by-product, into a plant bio-stimulant to boost the production of leafy vegetables. We also partnered with the Singapore Logistics Association (SLA) to pioneer the GO Carbon Management Programme (goCMP) to equip businesses with insights into their operational emissions.
By incorporating environmental sustainability and climate action into all facets of our operations and activities, RP is dedicated to fostering a more habitable and sustainable world for our future generations.
Keeping students ahead of the curve
Our hearts were full as we held our 18th graduation ceremony for over 4,600 graduates, including the first graduating cohorts from the Diploma in Financial Technology (DFT) and the Diploma in Digital Design & Development (DDDD). We are confident that our graduates will fly the RP flag high and make a positive impact in their respective industries.
Here at RP, we are cognizant of the importance of not just meeting but anticipating industry needs. Our programmes and partnerships clearly demonstrate our commitment to empowering our students to be industry-ready.
An example is RP School of Hospitality’s (SOH) inaugural Talent Advancement Programme (TAP), a collaboration between RP and 16 industry partners. Through the 40-week TAP, selected SOH students will have a structured pathway comprising education, industry mentorship, job stints, on-the-job training, leadership development, and more. With enhanced industry exposure, TAP seeks to equip our students with specialised skillsets and extensive experience to stay ahead of the curve. Upon graduation, these students not only embark on enriching full-time careers with reputable industry partners, but they may also start at higher positions with better remuneration compared to fresh graduates.
Other notable industry initiatives over the year included the Schenker Trainee Programme and RP School of Applied Science’s (SAS) first Agritech and Aquaculture Career Fair, both of which provided students with networking, project, and career opportunities. From April 2024, RP incorporated the globally recognised Designing Your Life framework within our curriculum for all Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) students to help them navigate and build a purpose-driven life. Additionally, in alignment with our commitment to empower students with special education needs, we partnered with TomoWork and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School (CPASS) to enhance their learning experiences.
In 2023, RP School of Infocomm (SOI) launched 15 new short courses, navigating the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing and Operational Technology Cybersecurity. SOI also jointly pioneered Singapore’s first Work-Study Certificate in Software Engineering, which leads to the Part-Time Diploma in Software Engineering with Singapore Polytechnic, providing software engineers with more holistic skillsets.
Strengthening international ties
Priming our students for success also entails RP being an active participant in the global ecosystem. We strengthened our ties with international partners through various programmes that exposed RP students to different cultures while fostering problem-solving skills in new environments.
These initiatives include hosting overseas student and staff representatives for the Temasek Foundation Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange (TF SCALE) 2023, an annual student immersion programme between local polytechnics and their Asian counterparts. Furthermore, in January 2024, we were honoured to host Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Through overseas learning trips, our students were able to apply academic concepts outside of the classroom and explore their interpersonal and leadership skills.
Celebrating RP’s achievements
RP students and staff are frequently recognised through local and international awards for their achievements in a multitude of areas, and 2023 was no exception. Doing RP proud were lecturers from RP School of Engineering (SEG), Mr Hong Ling Tim, Mr Raymond Yeo, and Mr Vincent Lim who were recipients of the Public Sector Transformation (PST) Awards. The PST Awards Ceremony is a Whole-of-Government pinnacle platform to recognise public officers for excellence in their work and organisational practices.
In addition, Ms Malini Thyagesan, senior lecturer at RP School of Applied Science (SAS), was conferred the prestigious President’s Award for Teachers while Ms Mapel Yap, Assistant Programme Chair at RP School of Infocomm (SOI), emerged as a finalist.
Meanwhile, RP students demonstrated exceptional knowledge and expertise amid strong competitors in several events. Our team picked up a total of six WorldSkills medals at WorldSkills Singapore and three medals at WorldSkills ASEAN in categories ranging from Hotel Reception to Information Network Cabling. At the Smith Travel Research (STR) & International CHRIE Asia Pacific Student Market Study Competition, a team of RP School of Hospitality (SOH) students emerged as champions for their extensive knowledge and analytical skills.
RP students were also recognised for their influence and leadership. Our very own Year 3 RP School of Engineering (SEG) student, Zhao Xinlei, was selected from over 1,000 nominees globally to be the UiPath Student Champion. He is now tasked with inspiring his peers to develop skills and connections to excel in automation. We are heartened by the recognition received by Shariffah Faaiqah Binte Syed Abdullah Alkaff, our first hearing-impaired student from RP School of Technology for the Arts (STA) pursuing a Diploma in Arts & Theatre Management (DATM). She was one of 14 recipients of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards. Her efforts to be a role model for the community are truly an inspiration to us all.
Board changes
On the back of a successful year, we would like to convey our gratitude to the RP Board members for their invaluable support. The growth of RP has been consistent amid changes within the Board across time.
Effective 1 August 2023, Mr Abel Ang assumed the role of Chairman, RP Board of Governors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Chairman, Mr David Wong for his dedicated service and advocacy for inclusivity in education over the past nine years. During his tenure, RP implemented initiatives to provide financial support to students and extended assistance to students with special or emergency needs, both during and beyond the pandemic. Mr Wong also played an instrumental role in expanding our Continuing Education and Training (CET) course offerings, in support of lifelong learning, growing RP’s CET output more than 400% to over 1 million trainee hours between 2014 and 2023.
Under the leadership of Mr Wong, Republic Polytechnic achieved significant milestones with the inauguration of key facilities and capabilities, including the RP-Shimadzu Sustainable Technology and Analytical Laboratory (STAR Lab), The Greenhouse, Xperiential Learning Centre (XLC), Entrepreneurial Partnership & Innovation Community (EPIC), Republic Polytechnic Industry Centre, and the Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management (COI-SCM), enhancing our capabilities and reinforcing our commitment to innovative education and industry collaboration. Mr Wong’s leadership and his contributions are deeply appreciated.
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to new members who joined the Board from 1 August 2023: Mr Damian Chan, Mrs Dayna Chia, Mr Gareth Wong, Ms Joanne Tan, Associate Professor Kenneth Low, Ms Pao Jia Yu, and Ms Suree Rohan.
At the same time, we express our gratitude to the outgoing Board members: Professor Aaron Voon-Yew Thean, Mr Gilbert Tan, Ms Jill Wong, Mr Koh Chiap Khiong, Mrs Lucy Toh, Mr Muhammad Nazri Bin Muhd, and Mr Oon Jin Teik for their service towards the betterment of RP and higher learning.
With the joint efforts of all our stakeholders, from the Board to our staff, students, parents, industry partners, and members of the community, we look forward to creating more momentous years ahead as one-RP.