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Nanyang Polytechnic Newsletter 2016 Issue 64 Minister Gains Further Insights into Poly Education at NYP Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung chatting with School of Chemical & Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education Life Sciences students. (Higher Education and Skills), visited NYP on 23 October 2015, his first stop in a series He also visited the NYP Library and the School of visits to the polytechnics to have a better of Business Management’s two Teaching understanding of the polytechnic education Enterprise Projects - L’Café and D’Studio. His final sector. Mr Ong, who is also the Senior Minister stop was the Education and Career Guidance of State for Defence, was accompanied by (ECG) Centre where he met up with the ECG Senior Management staff from the Ministry of Counsellors. Education. Ms Jeanne Liew, NYP’s Principal & CEO who Minister Ong, who assumed his appointment presented the Polytechnic’s programmes to on 1 October 2015, spent over three hours at the Minister prior to the walkabout, said: “We NYP touring the teaching facilities at the Schools are honoured to be the first polytechnic that of Engineering, Chemical & Life Sciences, Mr Ong Ye Kung had chosen to visit since Information Technology and Interactive & Digital being appointed Acting Minister for Education Media. At each location, he interacted with (Higher Education and Skills). It was an important NYP staff and students to learn more about the visit as it served to provide him with a better Polytechnic’s pedagogy and collaboration with understanding of the polytechnic sector, as well industry. He also learnt how the industry-focused as highlight specific strengths of NYP. We had contextual teaching and learning pedagogy of a robust discussion on the future polytechnic NYP is being enhanced to align with the national landscape, as well as the key direction of SkillsFuture movement. SkillsFuture. ” 01

NEWS PM Lee Visits NYP’s ‘The Future of Us’ Exhibit Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) with Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat (left) sharing a light-hearted moment at “The Future of Us’ exhibition. The exhibit was developed by the School of Engineering’s Diploma in Multimedia & Infocomm Technology (DMIT) graduate, Eugene Wong Jia The SG50 exhibition “The Future of Us” was Jun, as his final year project. It allows for the launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on recognition of various hand gestures to trigger 29 November 2015 at Gardens by the Bay. The and control the desired ambient lighting and exhibition capped the year-long SG50 Golden accompanying music from WiFi-enabled Light Jubilee celebrations. Bulbs. According to the organisers, the display has been one of the most popular exhibits in the Mr Lee was accompanied by Finance Minister “Marketplace” hall. A total of 26 DMIT students Heng Swee Keat in his walk through the exhibition. have also volunteered to be on site every weekend PM Lee visited NYP’s “Technicolour Show with at “The Future of Us” exhibition to explain the WiFi-enabled Light Bulbs” exhibit and spent some project to the public from December 2015 to time understanding how it worked. March 2016. 02

NEWS NYP Students to Sharpen Skills at New Facilities NYP students will receive more in-depth SBM’s Diploma in Mass Media Management students get hands-on training from three new campus to access professional grade equipment at the new media facilities - BodyWatch Gym, Media Hub, studio. and Media Studio. These new facilities are equipped with industry-standard and state-of- Management (SBM)’s Diploma in Sport & the-art equipment, such as integrated multi- Wellness Management. Students undergoing station fitness apparatus and international their 14-week TEP attachment at BodyWatch broadcast studio equipment, which will enable Gym will be taught to manage and operate the students to further hone their skills in their Gym, and learn the ropes of sports marketing and respective course of studies. promotion. Besides serving the fitness and exercise In addition, students from SBM’s Diploma in Mass needs of NYP staff, students and sports Media Management, and the School of Interactive teams, BodyWatch Gym also functions as & Digital Media’s Diploma in Visual Effects and the Teaching Enterprise Project (TEP) station Diploma in Motion Graphics & Broadcast will for students from the School of Business also have access to an expanded Media Hub and Media Studio to sharpen their production skills. This Media Hub features a dedicated audio recording studio, four independent editing suites, and digital touchscreen interactive whiteboards for teaching. The two-storey Media Studio, comparable to production centres used by international broadcasters such as FOX International Channels (FIC), is also equipped with environmentally-friendly features. The three new facilities were officially launched on 6 January 2016. Partnerships with the Singapore Sports Institute, FIC and Infinite SBM’s Diploma in Sport & Wellness Management students using the new BodyWatch Gym’s SYNRGY360 fitness station. Studios were also formalised at the launch event to benefit students from SBM and SIDM. 03

NEWS Boosting Manpower Capabilities for Indian F&B Sector On 30 October 2015, NYP’s Asian Culinary Institute (ACI) of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Restaurants Association (Singapore) (IRAS) to co-operate in the development of manpower capabilities and enhancing skills and competencies in the Indian Food & Beverage sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Co-ordinating Minister Deputy Prime Minister and Co-ordinating for Economic and Social Policies, Tharman Minister for Economic and Social Policies, Shanmugaratnam tried his hand at making Jalebi (an Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was the Guest- Indian sweetmeat). of-Honour at the event, witnessed the signing ceremony. Under the MOU, ACI will appoint Train programme to create skilled local chefs, and adjunct trainers from the Indian restaurants conduct an applied HR research study to map out to develop and deliver Indian cuisine training the job roles and career progression pathways in programmes, and roll out a structured Place and the Indian F&B sector. Award Winning Innovations NYP showcased two award-winning projects at agencies, to provide concise and accurate the Public Service Festival from 15 to 17 October location-based information for end users. 2015. Developed by the School of Chemical & Life Sciences (SCL), one of the projects In addition, Dr Phua Chee Teck, Manager of the titled “Vaccines for Sustainable Aquaculture in School of Engineering won the prestigious PS21 Singapore” won the Gold award in the Most Star Service Award 2015. He has created several Innovative Project/Policy Category for PS21 innovations, including the development of a ExCEL Awards 2015 and another Gold Award in novel method to determine risk of stroke among the Most Innovative Project/Policy Category at patients with Atrial Fibrillation. the MOE Innergy (Stat Board) Awards 2015. (From left) Mr Christof Luda, Dr Jeffrey Seng, Dr Saji Three SCL senior lecturers, Dr Jeffrey Seng, George were lauded for the most innovative project/ Dr Saji George and Mr Christof Luda, developed policy under the ExCEL Award category for their fish the first made-in-Singapore fish vaccine. This vaccine project. product aims to promote fish cultivation and improve fish survival rate in Singapore waters. Dr Jeffrey Seng also bagged the Silver award in the Innovation Champion category for PS21 ExCEL Awards 2015. The other project “Navigating around Singapore using Pocket OneMap”, which was created by the School of Information Technology, won the Gold award in the Most Innovative Project/Policy category at the MOE (Stat Board) Awards 2015. The mobile application leverages OneMap, an integrated map system for government 04

PARTNERSHIP Equipping Students to Be Work-Ready NYP signed two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on 23 October 2015. These MOUs signed by the School of Interactive & Digital Media (SIDM) and the School of Business Management (SBM) respectively will equip students with essential knowledge and skills as they enter the workforce. SCHOOL OF INTERACTIVE & DIGITAL MEDIA SIDM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ubisoft Singapore (Ubisoft) to provide highly-relevant game development training and collaborative mentorship to our students. Ubisoft is the leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and service. This collaboration will offer final year students DHTM students will be on board the enhanced six-month a structured internship programme that will internship programme with hotels in IHG Group from place them in a real-life game development March 2016. environment at Ubisoft. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT On successful completion of the internship SBM signed a MOU with InterContinental Hotels programme, selected students may also be Group (IHG) Singapore to further enhance and hired under the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn equip students with the necessary knowledge and programme - providing a smooth transition from skills to be industry-ready. internship to career opportunities and on-the-job training at Ubisoft after graduation. If selected, The partnership will allow SBM students to these graduates will also embark on a Specialist experience an enhanced six-month internship Diploma in Game Development programme with the hotels in the IHG Group. Students will conducted by NYP. be able to rotate jobs across two different IHG brand properties and two different operating departments. This internship programme is also strategically designed to support Singapore’s SkillsFuture movement. The programme has been structured to deliver clear and comprehensive learning outcomes which allow students to deepen their skills, and apply their knowledge to the workplace. Up to 10 Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management (DHTM) students will be on board this internship programme per semester from March 2016. The students will then pursue a career in IHG by continuing the SkillsFuture Earn-and-Learn Specialist Diploma programme, a 12-month programme in hotel operations comprising structured on-the-job training, facilitated learning, and project work. SIDM students will get the opportunity to enhance their Upon successful completion of the programme, skills in a real-life game development environment at Ubisoft. trainees will progress to a higher position with a corresponding wage increment. 05

REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE Design Students Showcase Their Work at Public Exhibitions DESIGN INSPIRATION JOURNEY EXHIBITION The School of Design (SDN) displayed their works at the Design Inspiration Journey Exhibition held at Bishan Library from 1 to 25 October 2015. Our students works on display included T-shirts sporting well- used Singlish phrases, furniture that can be used through all stages of life, as well as a series of photographs portraying design elements captured by students and staff on their trips to cities such as Barcelona and Tokyo. Works of SDN students displayed at Bishan Library. The exhibition was later held at Ang Mo Kio Library from 1 to 8 November 2015. To complement this exhibition, the students also held two sharing sessions on the inspiration VISUAL ASIA EXPO 2015 behind their creative works. NYP was the only polytechnic participating in the inaugural Visual Asia Expo 2015 held from 5 to 7 November 2015 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Expo is a professional trade show for the visual communication industry. The trade exhibition featured visual communication design and product solutions, market innovations and latest developments as well as trends in the field of visual communication. In celebration of SG50, 50 professional photographers in Singapore showcased their work on a 50-metre long photo wall at the exhibition. The NYP booth showcased how SDN projects can be implemented in the real world. About 12 works from all three SDN diplomas - Visual Communication, Industrial Design and Spatial Design were exhibited at the event. Some of the interesting works displayed Visitors viewing works showcased at included ‘Kampongminium’, a HDB flat NYP’s booth. concept that introduces the ‘kampong spirit’ found in Kampong Lorong Buangkok. 06

INDUSTRY PROJECTS Powering Up Productivity Facility operations personnel of a workers’ RFCOM Technologies tapped into COIE’s dormitory in Jurong can now do away with visual expertise in imaging technologies and IoT inspections and manually recording power gateway know-how to co-develop this solution meter readings with a new system in place that for the dormitory. automates these processes. Facility operations personnel no longer need to NYP’s Centre of Innovation for Electronics walk up to each level of every block within the (COIE) and RFCOM Technologies have worked dormitory to take power meter reading as they together to come up with a smart automated are now able to do this through the automated system which eliminates human errors, increases system in the comfort of their own offices. productivity and enables real-time usage reporting and trend analysis with the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and video analytics. Improving Mobility of Stroke Patients The system which enables stroke patients to achieve better and faster outcomes from upper-limb rehabilitation incorporates a motion tracking camera and a force feedback haptic device in a rehabilitation game. These devices help detect compensatory motions in upper limb movements and provide feedback to correct the motions. SIT helped with the system development, including game development, methodology to detect compensation and device communication. The system was evaluated through a pilot study conducted at SHS(AH) and a clinical field test in READY CARE Elderly centre with AWWA. Both pilot runs saw a high level of acceptance by the elderly for the system. Preliminary results of the field test have been The School of Information Technology (SIT) and positive suggesting that the upper limb the School of Health Sciences (Allied Health) movement with stroke elderly have improved (SHS)(AH) collaborated with the Asian Women’s after 12 sessions of training using the system. Welfare Association (AWWA) on a project funded through a research grant by TOTE Board Two students each from SIT and SHS teamed Social Innovation Research (SIR) Fund to develop up and entered this project in the Asia an interactive system to support the elderly who Pacific Assistive, Rehabilitative & Therapeutic suffer from a stroke. Technologies Challenge 2015 and bagged the Industry Collaboration Award. 07

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING Inspiring Lifelong Learning NYP’s Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) and the Asian Culinary Institute of Singapore (ACI) collaborated with over 20 partners to organise the LL1 Lifelong Learning Festival held from 7 to 8 November 2015 at the Lifelong Learning Institute. The event aimed to raise awareness and inspire lifelong learning among people from all walks of life. It also hoped to encourage participants to sign up for courses conducted by training institutes within the Lifelong Learning Institute. Guest–of-Honour, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills ) graced the event. Accompanying him was Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Food carving by Chef Seenivasan from Sodexo Singapore Pte Ltd at a cooking demonstration session Appart from setting up an exhibit at the event, SIRS organised three talks during the two- day festival. The talks on fashion advice and managing online businesses were conducted by lecturers from SIRS. The sessions proved to be beneficial for participants with many providing positive feedback. In conjunction with this Lifelong Learning Festival, ACI organised cooking demonstrations and sharing sessions which attracted more than 250 participants over four sessions. The chefs showed how cooking can be fun and interesting. They also demonstrated different methods of cooking a traditional dish Participants learnt about WSQ modular with modern innovation and technology. courses and certifications at the SIRS booth. 08

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING NYP’s Earn and Learn Programme off to a Strong Start NYP’s SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programmes (ELP) are off to a good start as the polytechnic continues its support towards the national SkillsFuture initiative. Currently the coordinator for the Media, Retail and Healthcare sectors, NYP has also been appointed Programme Manager by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to administer a number of ELPs for various sectors such as Precision Engineering, Visual Communication, Food & Beverage Services and Information and Communications Technology. The Polytechnic has launched five Earn and Learn Programmes in 2015. They are WSQ Specialist Diploma in Culinary Management, WSQ Specialist Diploma in Retail Management, WSQ Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision, Specialist Diploma in Games Development (Art) and Specialist Diploma in Information Systems Development. Moving forward, NYP is looking to expand its SkillsFuture initiatives into other new areas, in the next two years. Fresh CET Programme for Designers The School of Design (SDN) launched its Designers in this course will be able to widen first run of the Specialist Diploma in Design their job scope and work portfolios, take on Strategy & Management on 27 October 2015. management functions and run a design A first of its kind programme in Singapore, business effectively. this course seeks to enhance and deepen the knowledge of practicing designers who The first intake of 17 participants in this course are either working in organisations or are come from a myriad of design backgrounds, entrepreneurs. such as interior, graphic and systems design. This allows for robust and interactive sessions, The course also seeks to equip participants enabling students to widen their exposure and with a good understanding of the different apply the knowledge they acquire. areas of management which include design strategy, financial and project management. 09

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS SDN Students Make Their Mark at Design Excellence Awards Five School of Design (SDN) graduates from the class of 2015 were recipients of six Design Excellence Awards (DEA). They bagged two gold, one silver and three bronze awards at the award ceremony on 21 October 2015. The Design Excellence Awards (DEA) is one of the most distinguished awards in the interior design industry. Organised by the Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS) and supported by Design Council Singapore, the Awards recognise the best in the industry. There are two competition tracks IDEA (Interior Design Excellence Award) for professionals, and SDN Student Ngieng Ji Xuan impressed judges with his SPADE (Spatial Design Awards) for students. creative designs such as the ‘Living Wall’. He won awards in three different categories. This year, the competition was opened to professionals and students in Asia Pacific with SDN competed in a total of six categories 180 submissions. Awards were given according for SPADE 2015, and received awards in the to design categories including Leisure Design, categories of Leisure Design (Gold & Bronze), Public Design, Installation Design, Retail, Public Design (Gold, Silver & Bronze), and Institution, Residential and F&B. Installation (Bronze). SIDM Student Shines at SG50 Animation Competition First year Diploma in Animation student from The competition was organised by the ITE to the School of Interactive & Digital Media, Abdul encourage all Singaporeans to express gratitude Rahman Bin Abdul Rahim clinched the first prize and appreciation for Singapore, in celebration in the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) category of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. The theme of the at the SG50 Celebrating Singapore Animation competition ‘Thank You Singapore’, comprises four Competition held at the Institute of Technical categories- Animation (IHL Category), Animation Education (ITE) College East on 30 August 2015. (Open Category), Video (IHL Category) and Video (Open Category). Another NYP team Prometheus Guest-of-Honour, Dr Maliki Osman, Minister also took second place in the Video (IHL Category). of State for National Development and Mayor of South East District presented the Animation student with the award at the event. Abdul Rahman created a 48-second animation clip introducing Singapore and some of its delicious foods. The video was narrated by Tan Qing Wu, his schoolmate and submitted under the team name Cerauno Studio. 24 other teams took part in the animation (IHL) category. Tan Qing Yu (in white) and winner Abdul Rahman (in blue) with Guest-of-Honour Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman 10

STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS A Hat-Trick Students from NYP’s School of Information Technology (SIT) clinched the top three For SIT Students positions in the Singapore Cisco Netriders 2015 competition. This achievement sees NYP extending its winning streak for a third year after having seized the top three positions from 2013 to 2015. Daniel Lee Wei Meng from the Diploma in Information Security emerged as the winner of the competition, while Aide Iskandar Bin Abdul Rahim and Tian Yi Chen from the Diploma in Engineering Informatics emerged first runner up and second runner up respectively. The Cisco NetRiders competition is an annual global competition, organised by Cisco Systems, that provides students with the opportunity to showcase their IT/networking skills in a competitive environment. The competition not only tests the technical skills but also the communication and presentation skills of (Kneeling second, third and fourth from left) Daniel Lee Wei Meng, Aide Iskandar Bin Abdul Rahim and students. Tian Yi Chen took the top three positions in Singapore Cisco Netriders 2015. Sweet Victory at Culinaire Malaysia Students from the School of Business Cooking (Fish & Seafood), Apprentice Salmon Management’s (SBM) Diploma in Food & Main Course, Pastry (Cold Display), Mocktail & Beverage Business (DFBB) participated in Cocktail, and Barista. Culinaire Malaysia 2015 and surpassed NYP’s haul in 2013 of two bronze and two diploma Through their preparation and participation in awards by winning four silver, three bronze and this international competition, the students not two diploma awards! only had the opportunity to apply the skills they had acquired from their training, they also gained Held from 28 September to 3 October 2015, valuable life-skills experiences. the international competition is organised bi-annually as part of the Food Hotel Malaysia (FHM) exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Under the guidance and mentorship of Chef Nicholas Low, Chef Tammy Fan, and lecturer Karthik Bakthavathsalem, DFBB students competed against participants representing hotels and restaurants from Korea, Taiwan, UAE, China and Malaysia. Training with their teaching chefs and lecturers from SBM and School of Chemical & Life Sciences (SCL), our students competed in the SBM’s Diploma in Food & Beverage Business students at categories of Hot Cooking (Meat & Poultry), Hot Culinaire Malaysia 2015. 11

ALUMNI PROFILE Living out His Dreams Wayne Lim, 30, has always been fascinated Australia, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and with toys such as teddy bears ever since he the United States of America. He has also won was a child. Today, the Diploma in Industrial awards at the Singapore Teddy Bear Show as well Design graduate from NYP’s School of Design as the Brisbane Winter Wonderland Dolls and is living out this passion through his company Bears Show. Wayneston Bears. Wayne runs this online business where he sells the teddy bears he has His achievements do not come without sacrifices. created to customers around the world. Wayne has to juggle between his full-time job as a senior graphic designer while pursuing his “I have always aspired to become a Toy passion at Wayneston Bears. Designer and my experience working in a toy museum further ignited my passion and interest “I enjoy working as a full-time senior graphic for toys. I thought it would be wonderful if designer as it is another outlet for me to express I could design my own toys and let children my creativity and skills. While it may be tough around the world play with them,” he shared. juggling two jobs, I find a great deal of satisfaction in them especially when someone compliments After completing his polytechnic education and my work,” said Wayne. national service, Wayne, went on to pursue his degree in Product Design at Lasalle College of Wayne also believes that the knowledge and the Arts and ventured into his toy business in training that he has acquired at NYP has led him 2009. to achieving success in both his jobs. Apart from teddy bears, Wayne also worked “The many hours spent brainstorming, on creating other animals such as mice, researching and creating story boards were hedgehogs, cats, puppies, monkeys and unforgettable. It gave me many opportunities dragons. To make his products stand out in the to learn different skills and share ideas with market, Wayne ensures his creations bear his my classmates. Through interactive learning signature look which he believes is distinctive. processes, I became more self-confident and Some distinct features of his toys include needle developed effective communication skills,” he felted eyelids, open mouth with teeth and said. needle sculpted paw pads with toes and claws. His creations also have a wire armature skeleton Looking ahead, Wayne hopes to expand his in their bodies making them more flexible. business and continue promoting his work to attract new bear collectors. He is Through this business, Wayne has made his currently collaborating with mark both locally and overseas. He has been companies and agencies to invited to conduct various workshops on conduct corporate workshops on bear-making both locally and overseas. bear making and is also looking Apart from appearing on television to further develop his website. programmes and media platforms in His future plans include writing a Singapore, Wayne has also been featured book to share his knowledge on in publications creating teddy bears. in countries such as 12 Published by Communications & Outreach Department. Copyright © 2016 Nanyang Polytechnic Website: www.nyp.edu.sg Email: nyp_comms@nyp.edu.sg