Issue 2 of 2017

A publication of Ngee Ann Polytechnic

CHANGE MAKERS

JUMP-STARTING BUSINESSES Singapore’s first incubator for polytechnic entrepreneurs

AWARD-WINNING SHOTS Capture slices of life in Asia through the lenses of NP students

Ngee Ann’s top graduates want to make a difference

/ contents /highlightsReady, Set, Hack! Innovative ideas galore at Ngee Ann’s first staff hackathon Grooming Polytechnic Entrepreneurs Start-ups by Ngee Ann Poly alumni among those at new incubator, Pollinate Ngee Ann Launches New Business Diploma International Trade & Business course will prepare students for the digital economy A Celebration of Excellence Outstanding student achievements recognised at Ngee Ann’s Student Excellence Awards

cover story Living their Dreams Top graduates want to better the lives of others

featuresPursuing Medical Ambitions Three Ngee Ann graduates take their first step towards becoming doctors after gaining admission to local medical school

Helping the Needy Ngee Ann Poly offers a range of bursaries, grants and scholarships for students facing financial challenges etc.lab: Empowering Communities through Design New interdisciplinary centre for collaborative design and research

Taking On the World Broadening the horizons of Ngee Ann students through overseas learning journeys

An Inclusive Campus Inclusivity was the focus of NP’s Give Back Programme this year

the last pageSnap A (Winning) Shot While Doing Good

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CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICEEDITOR Lea Wee

CONTRIBUTORS Hafeez Sim Melanie Wee Kamaruzi BerroFrances Sim

For enquiries, contact us at askNP@np.edu.sg or call 6466 6555.

Issue 2 of 2017

A publication of Ngee Ann Polytechnic

CHANGE MAKERS

JUMP-STARTING BUSINESSES Singapore’s first incubator for polytechnic entrepreneurs

AWARD-WINNING SHOTS Capture slices of life in Asia through the lenses of NP students

Ngee Ann’s top graduates want to make a difference

NPnews Cover Nov17.indd 1 25/10/17 3:47 PM

COVER PHOTO: MARK TEO

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/ highlights /

n recent months, some final year students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic had the opportunity

to learn how to develop innovative apps to solve real-life issues faced by the banking and finance industry.

The 38 Financial Informatics students were part of a pilot run of a Fintech programme which will eventually be rolled out to students in banking or information technology related diploma courses across all five polytechnics.

The programme, which costs close to $800,000 to develop and $160,000 to run every year, was launched in partnership with German digital banking group Fidor in July this year. It is supported by the

or three days in June, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) staff headed to a “classroom” – not as lecturers,

but as idea innovators.The 88 “hackers” gathered off-campus

for NP’s inaugural staff hackathon and brainstormed creative solutions to crank up the organisation’s productivity, accessibility and staff well-being. The event aimed to nurture a culture of innovation among NP staff, while exposing them to new skills.

Working in teams, participants had 45 hours to produce a prototype and prepare a pitch based on their chosen topic. Industry experts were on site, running workshops on crowdfunding, chatbots

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READY, SET, HACK!Innovative ideas galore at Ngee Ann’s first staff hackathon TEXT: MELANIE WEE

and website design to help participants bring their ideas closer to reality. NP’s alumni entrepreneurs also lent their expertise, training staff on mobile app development, video production and presentation skills.

On the final day, the teams presented their pitches to a panel of judges comprising Mr Benjamin Mah, co-founder of digital security solutions provider, V-Key; Ms Juliana Lim, head of Talent Networking at SGInnovate; and Mr Andrew Sabaratnam, NP’s Senior Director, Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Among the top ideas was FitKaki, a fitness companion app which lists an

Monetary Authority of Singapore to boost Singapore’s growth as a regional fintech hub. It is Fidor’s first such investment in Asia Pacific.

The students were taught to develop apps using an application programme interface (API) provided by Fidor. For instance, they learnt how to build prototypes for digital banking services such as banking through e-wallets. To further enhance students’ real-life experience, Fidor will also offer selected students the opportunity to intern at one of their global locations such as Munich. When fully implemented, the programme is expected to benefit some 500 students across the five polytechnics.

NP-wide community of exercise “kakis” and campus sports facilities. The creative, user-friendly idea won the FitKaki team the event’s top prize.

“This hackathon pushed us out of our comfort zones, as we had to quickly pick up new skills and pitch our ideas to a crowd. It was challenging, but fulfilling. It was also the perfect opportunity to meet and work with other like-minded colleagues,” said Corporate

Communications Executive, Keith Ng.

The hackathon provided staff with the opportunity to bond and brainstorm in a creative setting.

(From left) Ms Juliana Lim, Head of Talent Networking, SGInnovate; Mr Benjamin Mah, Co-founder, V-Key; and Mr Andrew Sabaratnam, NP’s Senior Director, Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship were the event’s judges.

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FINTECH PROGRAMME KICKS OFF AT NGEE ANN POLY

Ngee Ann Poly lecturer Willey Tang conducting a class on Fidor API

n the first two years of setting up their artificial intelligence start-up KeyReply, Ms Carylyne

Chan, 26, and her two co-founders did not draw any salary.

She said: “We didn’t buy new clothes, gadgets or indulge in any luxuries. I didn’t even have a haircut.”

Between 2015 and 2016, she and her co-founders Mr Spencer Yang and Mr Max Xu, both 28, had gone to the United States where they attended accelerator programmes such as Blue Startups in Hawaii and AngelPad in New York and later moved to Block 71 in Silicon Valley, San Francisco.

To cover the costs of their food and lodging, they relied on funds from investors and dug into their savings. Once, they even bunked in with three other people in a one-bedroom apartment.

But they soldiered on, driven by “a view of the world and a product” that they felt people need.

/ highlights /

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The other 12 start-ups at Pollinate are: 1. 3PlayGround

(www.threeplaygrounds.com)2. Attores (www.attores.com)3. Delta Duck Studios

(deltaduckstudios.com)4. Flide (gram.com.sg/animation-

company-singapore)5. Genytek (www.genytek.com) 6. HighSpark (highspark.co) 7. LightBeijing

(www.lightbeijing.com)8. Memory Ark

(www.memoryark4u.com)9. Payboy (www.payboy.biz)10. PolicyPal (www.policypal.com)11. Teleo (www.teleo.co)12. Visual Perception

(www.visualperception.studio)

system – without having to rely heavily on the internet.

He patented the product in 2014 and this time, he roped in two others to help him. Ms Chelsea Chan, 27, who was then running a Japanese fine dining restaurant, helped develop and test the product before it hit the market at the end of 2016; Ms Rina Loh, 31, an Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) alumnus who specialises in digital marketing, helped market the business. She joined FoodZaps full-time early this year. Ms Chan said: "A start-up is very vibrant. You are building your own business and legacy."

Winson is confident that being an original product, FoodZaps, will bring in the money. The app is now being used by 120 food and beverage outlets in Singapore and 420 restaurants in 71 cities

OF GRIT AND GUTS NP Alumnus Carylyne Chan went without a salary for two years to get her start-up going

super-efficient tablet menu- ordering system and a highly intelligent chatbot are just

two start-ups by Ngee Ann Polytechnic alumni which are now part of a new incubator called “Pollinate”.

Pollinate, which was officially launched on Sep 18, is the first incubator here to support entrepreneurship efforts primarily by polytechnic alumni.

Taking up 728 sq metre space

Carylyne and her co-founders wanted to develop highly intelligent chatbots which can respond to customers’ chat enquiry accurately

They had their first major break early this year when they outbidded six other companies to score a high-profile project with the Singapore Government.

Recently, they returned to Singapore to set up an office at Pollinate to better serve their Asian clients which includes insurance company MSIG and jeweller Goldheart. They are also working with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to develop a chatbot on courses and admissions.

That she would become an entrepreneur one day never crossed Carylyne’s mind. She opted for mass communications course at NP in 2008 and later joined the polytechnic’s entrepreneurship club "out of curiosity".

In 2010, she and six other club members entered a global social entrepreneurship competition in which they emerged the Singapore champion

and that experience cemented her desire to run a business with “heart”.

She won a scholarship to study business management at the Singapore Management University (SMU) where she met her co-founders, who were her seniors from SMU.

The good thing about setting up a start-up, said Carylyne, is that instead of specialising in one thing, you become a generalist who is good at many things.

She advised aspiring entrepreneurs to experiment – many times.

She said: “Keep fine-tuning your product, and when you think you’ve found the product-market fit, put your heart and soul into growing it. Have the grit and guts to try, otherwise someone else may just go ahead and do what you wanted to do – without you.”

overseas. There are plans to increase the number of outlets in Singapore to 700 by the end of next year. The start-up is also hoping to integrate different payment systems into its app, so that people can pay by whatever method they prefer.

It is working with Samsung to develop wearables which can be worn by F&B staff so that for instance, they can be alerted when customers at a particular table needs attention.

Foodzaps also recently beat several more established startups to win the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) Gold award as the Best Innovation Infocomm Product.

Says Winson: “We want to make the running of a restaurant smarter, to rely more on technology and less on humans to do repetitive tasks.”

TAKING CALCULATED RISKS inson Tan had wanted to run his own business ever since he landed his first job after

graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a diploma in electronics and computer engineering in 1993.

Winson, 44, said: “I didn’t like the feeling that how much I earned was out of my control.” But it took another 20 years before his dream came true.

In between, he worked at six different companies and built up his technical knowhow by learning the A to Z of software development. In 2007, he developed an

NP alumni Winson Tan and Rina Loh share their start-up journey

app on educational games for children, but had to wrap up the business in less than a year due to “poor planning and the lack of a team to help him along”.

In 2013, the father of two school-going children took a “calculated risk” and had another stab at starting a business. A bad experience at a restaurant where he was served the wrong dish twice got him thinking about how he could create an efficient menu ordering system.

He developed an app called FoodZaps, which combines the best of cloud-based technology with the traditional legacy

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Carylyne Chan from KeyReply

From left to right, Chelsea Chan, Winson Tan and Rina Loh, the founders of FoodZaps.

Pollinate takes up 728 sqm at JTC Launchpad.

GROOMING POLYTECHNIC ENTREPRENEURS

Start-ups by Ngee Ann Poly alumni among those at new incubator, PollinateTEXT: LEA WEE

at start-up cluster JTC Launchpad@one-north in Ayer Rajah, it is jointly run by three polytechnics: Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic. To date, there are 14 start-ups – with eight involving NP alumni – and there are plans to grow this number to 30 in three years.

Pollinate targets growth-stage startups, which are looking to expand and grow their business. Seed-stage startups by polytechnic students are usually incubated in their alma mater. Should they decide to scale up their business later or when they graduate from the polytechnic, they can move on to Pollinate for continued support. The support ranges from shared services (such as software testing) to incubator exchange programmes.

The incubator also welcomes start-ups by non-polytechnic graduates, as well as those from overseas. In the pipeline are partnerships with overseas incubators in places such as Silicon Valley.

It encourages entrepreneurship efforts among current students in polytechnics by offering training, internships, mentorship, networking sessions and workshops.

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rom next April, students can look forward to the first wholesale trade-related diploma programme

that will equip them with future skills such as developing digital business solutions and analytics, complete with global exposure at its core. Known as the Diploma in International Trade & Business, this three-year full-time course is developed by Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) in collaboration with IE Singapore.

The first cohort of about 120 students will go on yearly overseas trips and co-organise a business or trade study mission to a selected country. Complementing this cross-border experience will be modules in accounting, economics, digital business solutions, and maritime and aviation management to give students a strong foundation in international trade practices.

Final-year students can sign up for a six-month local or overseas internship, and embark on a capstone project to solve real-world challenges and prepare them for an active role in the global trade arena. The new diploma is a training initiative under the Wholesale Trade Industry Transformation Map.

NGEE ANN LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS DIPLOMA

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hilton Ong could have set a new record and clocked a personal best in the

10-kilometre race at the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Games. Instead, the Class of 2017 Business Studies graduate slowed down to cheer on a fellow team member and encourage him to persevere.

Such selflessness and courage are attributes that the annual Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Student Excellence Awards seeks to recognise and honour. This year’s event was held in July ,

CInternational Trade & Business course will prepare students for the digital economy TEXT: MELANIE WEE

● Deputy Director Dr Charles Ong from the School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology was honoured for his inspirational teaching when his former student, Tee Mei Yi, won NTU’s prestigious Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award. She nominated Dr Ong for his contribution to her education. In recognition of inspiring teachers like Dr Ong, NTU has set up individual $5,000 cash grants in their names. These teachers can nominate any of their students who have been admitted to NTU for the grant.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Outstanding student achievements recognised at Ngee Ann’s Student Excellence Awards TEXT: MELANIE WEE

A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE

where over 100 awards were given out to students who shone in the various fields of community service, sports, technology, arts, environment, innovation and enterprise.

Chilton, who was the President of NP’s Track and Field team, said, “A leader does not only lead. Sometimes I have to take a step back from giving instructions – to be on the ground and get more involved with my team members.”

For his exemplary leadership skills, Chilton, who has won over 20

medals as an NP athlete, received the Chairman’s Award. It is presented to the student who best embodies NP’s values of integrity, responsibility, respect,

resilience, compassion and gratitude.

JACELYN CHIANP CHARACTER AWARD

Tutoring students at a children’s home because she “wanted a meaningful CCA” was how Jacelyn Chia began her journey as a volunteer. Since then,

she has co-led a variety of community projects with different organisations.

The Class of 2017 Child Psychology & Early Education graduate worked with Youth Corps Singapore on a year-long project on art and self-esteem for young people, and also arranged classes for youths living in rental flats.

In recognition of her tireless contributions, Jacelyn received the Outstanding Award for Community Service from Youth Corps Singapore.

OTHER WINNERS OF NP STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARD INCLUDE: JAMES ONGOUTSTANDING ENTERPRISE AWARD

Class of 2017 Business Studies graduate James Ong has always been quite the entrepreneur. As a first-year NP student, he noticed that the prices of martial arts equipment in Singapore had been heavily

marked up. To make the sport more accessible for local martial arts enthusiasts, he connected directly with suppliers in Bangkok to offer affordably-priced boxing gloves online.

James is extending his entrepreneurial streak in his new role as the Chief Programme Curator of Slush Singapore. Started in Finland, the technology event brings together entrepreneurs and potential investors, providing start-ups with valuable opportunities to network and secure funding. Last year’s event, spearheaded by James and his team, drew 3,000 attendees, 300 start-ups and 300 investors.

● Three teams comprising Engineering Science Year 1 and Year 2 students bagged the top three prizes at the Singapore Frontier Mini Challenge 2017 in September. The winning NP Teams came up with infographics on concentrated photovoltaics, dielectric elastomer generator and ocean thermal energy conversion.

wo village children playing with mud by the roadside caught the eye of Ngee Ann Polytechnic

(NP) student Ahmad Rusyaidi Bin Rasiman during his trip to a village in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A shot he took of the scene won him third prize at a photo contest organised by Youth Corps Singapore, which runs the Youth Expedition Project (YEP).

The inaugural national photo contest attracted almost 400 entries, 100 of which were from NP. Seven NP entries were among the top 20 winners. Two photos – one by Ahmad and the other by Ms Jolene Gina Abelarde, 20 – were in the top 10.

Ahmad, 19, who recently graduated with

WINNING SHOTSTwo NP students clinch top prizes at inaugural YEP photo contest TEXT: LEA WEE

a Diploma in Marine Offshore Technology, took his winning shot, titled Muddy Playground, in September 2016. He was on his first YEP trip to Cambodia.

Over 14 days at the village, he and other NP students helped the villagers lay cement over the muddy road and build a school gate.

Meanwhile, Jolene’s photo titled A Smile We Can Give, bagged seventh prize. It showed a boy grinning widely in front of his desk.

The recent graduate in mass communication snapped the shot while on a YEP trip to Laos in October 2015. Over two weeks, she and other NP students taught English at a village school.

NP sends about 500 to 600 students on YEP service-learning trips every year. Service-learning is a signature pedagogy of NP and is infused into its curriculum. For a view of the winning photos by NP students, turn to page 17.

TTop prize winners Ahmad Rusyaidi and Jolene

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These top graduates want to better the lives of others TEXT: LEA WEE

LIVING THEIR

DREAMS

ui Ming Yi lives by the motto, “Never stop and never settle”. The International Business (IBZ) graduate said: “I’m not the kind of person who

will stay satisfied. I’m always looking forward to my next goal.”

Even before stepping into Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), he had consistently topped his cohort in secondary school, where he was the head of the students’ council. At NP, he bagged multiple awards and book prizes for his outstanding academic performance. He was also a member of the Business & Accountancy Society and a trip coordinator for the International Business Explorer Series.

He said: “I wasn’t a very vocal student in secondary school, so I wanted to step out of my comfort zone in poly. That was why I pushed myself to join different CCAs and interact with more people.”

An Overseas Merit Fellowship trip to New York was one of the high points in his polytechnic years.

He said: “I was surrounded by many bright minds who inspired me to be curious and open-minded. They would discuss current affairs and topics beyond their diploma courses, which broadened my perspectives. ”

Their hunger and enthusiasm for knowledge has rubbed off him. For instance, when he discovered his interest in financial technology during an internship with DBS, he pored over books and watched online videos to deepen his understanding of the fast-expanding industry and how it can support banking operations. He has also set himself a goal to pick up programming and coding skills in the next two years.

Eager to pay it forward, Ming Yi enjoys sharing his insights and experiences with others. He still serves as the Alumni Committee Chairperson of his secondary school and hopes to become an educator eventually.

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/ cover story /

"I’m not the kind of person who will stay satisfied. I’m always looking forward to my next goal." – Gui Ming Yi

GUI MING YI Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal

Course: International BusinessFormerly from: Compassvale Secondary SchoolOther award: Mapletree Gold Medal & Prize

ANNEMARIE YEOW CHEN KWEI Lee Kuan Yew Award

Course: Biomedical ScienceFormerly from: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)Other awards: Luft Env Technologies Pte Ltd Gold Medal & Prize, and Stratificare Prize

entle and soft-spoken, Annemarie’s demeanour belies her ‘stronger’ side. The 19-year-old grew up watching

disaster documentaries, intrigued by how medical teams saved lives quickly.

She said: “I realised that medicine can make an impact on people’s lives and give them hope in an otherwise bleak situation.”

Her interest in biology was further fuelled after she joined a life sciences programme in secondary school.

“The programme gave me the opportunity to work on my first research project, which focused on bacteria growth on different types of meat. This exposed me to research and increased my thirst for science,” she said.

The Biomedical Science graduate who hopes to study medicine in a local university, also did an internship at A*STAR, where she worked on a project on neurodegenerative diseases that affect children.

Besides her schoolwork and commitments of being a Student Ambassador in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), she was also an active volunteer at Club Rainbow and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital during her final year at NP.

She took patients for walks and assisted them during meal times.

She said: “I enjoy connecting with people and I want to understand the worries of patients.”

Once, a patient ignored her despite her repeated attempts to talk to her. While she felt disheartened, she continued to spend time with the patient, and eventually won her over with her sincerity.

She said: “I was really touched when she finally reached out for my hand during a walk. To patients, hospitals can be a scary place. I hope to provide some comfort to patients, no matter how small it may be.”

G"I enjoy connecting with people and I want to understand the worries of patients."– Annemarie Yeow Chen Kwei

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"Nursing is more than a job, it’s a calling. I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I help other people.” - Mohamed Farouq Bin Mohamed

MOHAMED FAROUQ BIN MOHAMED

Lee Kuan Yew Award Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding

Achievement Award

Course: Health Sciences (Nursing)Formerly from: Yuan Ching Secondary School Other awards: SingHealth Gold Medal & Prize, Diploma with Merit, National University Hospital Prize & Tan Tock Seng Hospital Prize

ohamed Farouq found his life purpose in an unlikely place – while lying on a hospital

bed. That was back in 2008, when he was rushed to hospital after he fainted during a school trip to Pulau Ubin.

“I felt lonely and afraid as I didn’t know what was going to happen. But a nurse assured me that she would be by my side. Her presence and gentle words really touched me,” he recounted.

Throughout his five-day stay in hospital, the nurses went the extra mile to ensure he felt comfortable. Their kind gestures left a deep impression and inspired him to take up a nursing diploma at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).

Farouq hopes to add a personal touch to the nursing care he provides to patients. For example, during his clinical attachments in hospitals, he makes it a point to chat with his patients and listen to their worries.

He said: “Besides providing physical help, I believe in offering emotional support to patients. More importantly, I hope to be a friend who will stay

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with them through their journey of recovery.”

Other things he enjoy about nursing include the teamwork and camaraderie in hospital wards and the fact that no two work days are the same. He said: “My day revolves around different tasks such as serving medication, dressing wounds, preparing patients for their operations, and taking care of them after their procedures.”

While nursing brings joy to Farouq – especially when he gains his patients’

trust and confidence, and when they finally get well – he admits that it comes with its challenges. These range from the physical and mental stress of working in a fast-paced environment to managing the occasional difficult patients. But Farouq, who hopes to become an advanced practice nurse, remains dedicated to his mission.

“Nursing is more than a job, it’s a calling. I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I help other people,” he said.

/ cover story /

For two decades till his death in March 2012, she attended to his daily needs. Then her husband was diagnosed with advanced stage colorectal cancer in 2008, and she took care of him until he passed away 10 months later.

Following her father-in-law’s death, she trained to become a nurse. She said: “Having been a caregiver, I know how important it is to help patients live out their remaining days with dignity.”

Besides juggling school work and motherhood, Lay Kian also found time to volunteer at the Dover Park Hospice during her three years at NP. She is currently working as an assistant nurse at the hospice, and plans to pursue a specialist diploma in palliative care nursing.

On what keeps her going, Lay Kian, who counts Florence Nightingale and Mother Teresa as her role models, said: “I remain focused on my goal to be a competent nurse, and to bring comfort to those feeling down and out in their season of life.”

AARON SNG LI WEN Lee Kuan Yew Award Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding

Achievement Award

Course: Engineering ScienceFormerly from: School of Science and Technology, SingaporeOther awards: Defence Science and Technology Agency Gold Medal & Prize, BlasterZone Prize, Fuji SMBE Prize, Rohde and Schwarz Asia Prize, Team One Technologies Prize

f Aaron Sng has his way, robots will be a common feature in future homes.

The 19-year-old engineering science graduate wants to live in a world where robots can perform mundane tasks at

"I hope to create something useful that people can use." – Aaron Sng Li Wen

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LIAW LAY KIAN Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal

Course: Health Sciences (Nursing)Formerly from: ITE College EastOther awards: St Luke's Silver Medal

other of two and homemaker Liaw Lay Kian is unfazed about being the oldest in her nursing

school cohort.The 55-year-old said: “I never

imagined that I would become a student again, let alone be in a class with students younger than my daughters."

It was surprisingly easy to fit in with her younger classmates. She said: “They treated me like one of them. I’m grateful that they were always ready to help, especially when I was trying to figure out how to use the school’s online portal.”

A series of events had turned her into a caregiver to two loved ones and planted in her the desire to become a nurse.

Her father-in-law suffered a stroke in the 1990s and became bedridden.

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"Having been a caregiver, I know how important it is to help patients live out their remaining days with dignity.” – Liaw Lay Kian

opportunity, as I was able to pit my skills against the best teams from around the world.”

He discovered how engineering can improve people’s lives while working on a project during a summer school programme at the University of Sheffield in England.

Together with his team mates, he developed a mobile application to help patients determine the probability of an asthma attack. For his final-year project, he also developed a computer-aided system to detect colorectal lesions, which can improve the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.

He said: “The projects made me more certain of my goal to pursue a career in scientific research to improve people’s lives.”

the command of humans.He said: “Who wouldn’t want a

robotic helper around the house to do domestic chores? I hope to create something useful that people can use.”

His love affair with technology began at the age of seven when he used a computer for the first time.

He went on to teach himself coding skills and soon started to write his own simple computer games.

While studying, he continued to cultivate his fascination in science and research by taking part in hackathons and robotics competitions.

In 2014, he earned a spot to represent Singapore in the World Robotics Olympiad in Sochi, Russia.

He said: “It was a great learning

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/ features /

PURSUING MEDICAL AMBITIONSThree Ngee Ann graduates take their first step towards becoming doctors after gaining admission to local medical school TEXT: MELANIE WEE

rowing up, Tricia Chan wanted to be a veterinarian. But all that changed after she began

volunteering at St Luke’s Eldercare. “The turning point was when I got

to know the patients better. Hearing about their burdens and health problems motivated me to study medicine instead. This way, I can help patients lead better and healthier lives,” said the Class of 2015 Veterinary Bioscience alumnus who spends up to eight hours assisting caregivers at the centre almost every other day.

Tricia is now a step closer to fulfilling her medical dream, as she is one of three Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) graduates who have been accepted into the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore this year. The other two are Pharmacy Science alumnus Ng Cheng Han and Biomedical Science alumnus Annemarie Yeow, who both graduated in May this year. This brings to thirteen the number of NP graduates who have gained direct admission to local medical schools.

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VISA COLLABORATION PREPS STUDENTS FOR FINTECH

isa, the global leader in payments, has partnered with local polytechnics and Singapore FinTech Association to launch a corporate partnership programme to prepare students for the future economy. The initiative

aims to build a steady pipeline of talent for the growing Fintech industry. As part of the partnership, students will engage with payments experts from

VISA and visit the VISA Innovation Lab, where they can learn about the future of payments and challenges in the payments landscape. Modules related to FinTech and the payments industry will also be conducted at Visa’s learning centre - Visa University. Finally, students can look forward to a business case challenge to round up their learning journey.

Ten years ago, they made history when they became the first polytechnic graduates to gain direct admission into local medical school. Today, Dr Ron Ng and Dr Soong Junwei are practising at Singapore General Hospital, training to be specialists in their chosen fields.

The duo graduated from NP in 2007 – Dr Ng with a Diploma in Biomedical Laboratory Technology and Dr Soong with a Diploma in Biotechnology. They then applied to enter medical school at the National University of Singapore under a discretionary admissions exercise.

But it was not smooth-sailing initially. “I remember one of our first few lectures on the fundamentals of cells. Everyone seemed to understand because they were all nodding. That’s when I realised I had to work very hard to catch up,” said Dr Soong, who is currently in his second year as an orthopaedic surgery resident.

“I knew the chances of poly students entering university were slim, so I pushed myself to do even better,” said Dr Ng, who is in his third year of training as an internal medicine resident.

DOCTORS AND TRAILBLAZERS

Dr Ron Ng (left) and Dr Soong Junwei were

the first polytechnic graduates to gain direct

entry to local medical school in 2007.

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NP students taking part in a business case challenge by Visa.

LIGHTENING HER PARENTS’ BURDENIn her first year of studies at NP, Nurul Fatimah binti Iskandar’s father had to work overtime to pay for her tuition fees, which is about $2,700 a year. A silat

instructor, he earns about $1,300 a month. So when Nurul, who is now in her second year of studies

in Electronic & Computer Engineering, was awarded the bond-free NP Engineering Scholarship, she was overjoyed. The scholarship disburses about $3000 a year. She also received a government bursary and the Daisy Phay student aid grant, which totalled up to about $3000.

Nurul, who has eight other siblings, aged seven to 27, said: “I can now help relieve some of my father’s burden.”

After paying her tuition fees, most of the money she received from her scholarship and bursaries helps defray her siblings’ school fees and other expenses.

She said: “Without the financial support, it would have been very stressful for me and my family.”

HELPING THE NEEDY o student should be denied an education because they cannot afford it.

With this in mind, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and its philanthropic partners offer needy students a host of financial help for their educational expenses including paying for their tuition fees and books. On top of government bursaries, NP and private donors give out student aid grants, which benefit about 3,500 students every year.

Students who excel academically,

BETTER FOCUS ON STUDIES Bryan Neo, 19, used to clock 20 hours on weekends serving as a waiter at food and beverage joints.

The third year Real Estate Business student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic said: “My father is a Singapore

Airforce regular and my mother is a housewife. I have two sisters, aged 15 and 17, who are still studying. It is tough for my father to support my family.”

The $1300 a year Ministry of Education (MOE) bursary helped to cover his tuition fees while the wages earned on weekends helped to defray his daily expenses such as meals, transport, books and lecture notes.

In his second and third year of studies, Bryan was awarded the bond-free NP Scholarship which disburses about $3000 a year. He decided to stop working on weekends and spend his time studying instead.

He said: “I am indebted to Ngee Ann Polytechnic for nurturing me and providing me with much needed financial support so that I can focus on my studies.”

N

Ngee Ann Poly offers a range of bursaries, grants and scholarships for students facing financial challenges TEXT: LEA WEE

have leadership qualities or other talents, can also apply for scholarships, which are offered by NP with a sponsor, or by an external organisation. Last year, close to 850 students benefited from these scholarships, which generally cover tuition fees and book allowances.

All in, 56 individuals and organisations donated bursaries, scholarships and student aid grants in the last financial year.

Mr Simon Tan, Director of Student and Alumni Services, said: “We have

seen how bursaries, student aid grants and scholarships benefit out students, especially those facing financial hardships. It is very heartwarming to receive donations from organisations and individuals, including alumni and staff of NP. We thank them for believing in giving every deserving student an equal learning opportunity in life.”

Individuals or corporates who wish to donate to Ngee Ann Poly can call 6460-6309 or email askAboutGiving @np.edu.sg

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etc.lab: EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH DESIGN

wo kindergartens built for communities in Lombok, Indonesia, an award-winning

transitional shelter designed for natural disasters and a first-of-its-kind digital directory for product designers are just some of the impactful projects completed by a new centre at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).

Called etc.lab, it was founded in 2016 by NP’s School of Design & Environment (DE). An interdisciplinary centre for collaborative design and research with the aim of creating social impact and change, “etc” stands for empowering the community.

Mrs Pang-Eng Peck Hong, Director of DE, said: “The centre works closely with educational designers, industry partners, government agencies and various communities on industry and community projects. Through these projects, students and alumni gain valuable and relevant insights that will enhance their design portfolios and diversify their learning experiences.”

Some of etc.lab’s projects include:

1. COMMMUNITY PROJECTS IN LOMBOK Staff and students from DE designed and helped to build a kindergarten for the local community in Sembalun Lawang in Lombok after understanding the community’s needs for such a facility. The project was done during the

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students’ YEP (Youth Expedition Project) service-learning trip in 2016.

DE's Deputy Course Chair Mr Raja Mohammad Fairuz, who is also head of the expedition, said: “The focus of the trip was to enrich the students’ experience by working with local craftsmen and using locally sourced materials like bamboo.”

The project did not end there. Moved by how the kindergarten brought everyone together and inspired learning

New interdisciplinary centre for collaborative design and research at NP

among the children, the team decided to return the following year to design and build a second kindergarten in another village in Sembalun Bumbung.

The construction of the kindergartens also exposed local community builders to good and innovative designs, and sustainable building construction techniques. Through such collaborations, the community went on to complete and furnish the kindergartens on their own.

2. SHELTER+: A POST-DISASTER SHELTER A group of DE students conceptualised an architectural design of a low-cost post-disaster transitional shelter as part of their Design Studio 2 module. etc.lab continued to work on the project by refining the design and constructing it.

Project leader Mr Raja Mohammad Fairuz explained that the transitional shelter they have built, known as Shelter+, is suitable for use in natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.

He said: “Its key feature is the frame which can be easily assembled by following a simple instruction manual. Walls, doors, windows and roof can be added using locally available materials and according to

local community needs.”Besides offering flexibility and

adaptability in its design, he added that the shelter empowers the community by encouraging them to utilise indigenous knowledge in their choice of materials.

A prototype of the eco-friendly and thermally comfortable unit was showcased at BEX Asia 2017, a regional conference for the building industry. It clinched the best green space award.

DE is exploring the possibility of piloting this project with a few non-governmental organisations involved in disaster evacuation. Interested parties can contact Mr Raja Mohammad Fairuz at (65)6460-6271 or

email myr2@np.edu.sg

3. SEEK2DESIGN: THE FIRST DIGITAL DESIGN DIRECTORY OF ITS KIND IN SINGAPORE A one-stop e-directory for product designers in Singapore, seek2design comprises information on companies involved in all aspects of product designs, ranging from consultancy and material supply, to prototyping and production.

Companies featured in seek2design range from leather crafting and woodworking companies to 3-D printing and laser cutting companies. DE lecturer and Project Leader Mr Jason Khiang, said: “seek2design helps aspiring designers, including our DE students, bring their ideas to life by connecting them effortlessly with suppliers. Designers can compare and make informed decisions on an ideal supplier for their specific needs.”

There are plans to add more companies to seek2design. Interested companies can contact Mr Jason Khiang at (65)6460-7909 or email kjj3@np.edu.sg

Local community’s children outside their Sembalun Lawang kindergarten.

Prototype of the low-cost post-disaster transitional shelter showcased at EX Asia 2017

Left: Phase 2 Sembalun Bumbung kindergarten. DE Students making a human chain to move bamboos for the construction of the walls.

Below: Phase 1 of Sembalun Bumbung kindergarten completed. It is being utilized, and the local community will add the final touches.

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TAKING ON THE WORLDNgee Ann’s Global Entrepreneurial Internship Programme (GEIP), Overseas Immersion Programme and Youth Expedition Project are some of the overseas learning journeys specially curated for Ngee Ann Poly students.TEXT: MELANIE WEE

Visiting Hong Kong is often synonymous with exhilarating Disneyland rides and endless dimsum feasts. But Amanda Tan’s study trip was more than just food and fun. It was a meaningful opportunity to step into the shoes of the needy and discover more about

the city’s inspiring community service efforts.

FROM RICHES TO RAGS: The poverty simulation exercise was my most memorable experience. Grouped into “families” of five to six members, we eked out a living by making paper bags out of newspapers. We had to kneel and beg the “shopkeeper” to buy our paper bags, and even sacrifice personal belongings such as our shoes and watches to get more money. My “family” was falling behind on our rent, so we were given an option to “sell” one of our members as a bride. I agreed to be “sold” immediately to end our financial difficulties.

Although this was just a simulation, it was a powerful reminder that such struggles are a reality for families living in poverty. It taught me to be empathetic instead of turning a blind eye to such happenings around me. OPEN ALL NIGHT: We visited Youth Outreach, Hong Kong’s only 24-hour centre for at-risk youths. It focuses on developing their interests and strengths through youth-centred activities like kickboxing, skateboarding, billiards and dance. Many of those who have been “rescued” from the streets return to the centre as instructors, where they can positively influence other youths. DISABLED, BUT NOT UNABLE: On field trips, we saw how social enterprises such as St James’ Settlement Jockey Club Recycling Centre and New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Association empower people with disabilities to earn their keep independently. They are taught to make bags and handicrafts or upcycle products such as plastic bottles and wooden corks. The items are then sold to the public. Hong Kong’s well-developed social service sector, which is widely supported by the public and corporations, is something that Singapore can emulate.

Amanda Tan (middle row, in black hoodie) with her classmates at Victoria Peak, a popular tourist spot.

Left: Trying their hand at making a wine cork pen, just one of the many items produced by people with disabilities at St James’ Settlement Jockey Club Recycling Centre.

Top: During the poverty simulation exercise, students sold their hand-made paper bags at this shop to earn money for their family’s food, rent, healthcare and education.

Scenic view of Alcatraz Island, which houses one

of the world’s most famous maximum security prisons.

Ryan Lee (left) at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

At Menlo College, where the students attended lectures on American

history and innovation.

Ryan Lee (far right) doing his part to help restore the vegetation at San Francisco Bay.

An immersion trip to California was eye-opening for Ryan in more ways than one as he learnt to think out-

of-the-box (American-style!), appreciate art pieces and even visit the legendary Alcatraz prison.

LEARNING LIKE A LOCAL: At American colleges like Menlo and Stanford, discussion and dynamic thinking are always encouraged. We wrote our ideas on post-it notes, then reviewed and discussed them as a group till we found the most suitable answers. The lecturers encouraged us to speak up and were very open to our suggestions. The experience taught me to share my opinions more confidently instead of keeping them to myself. A PRISON’S PAST: Alcatraz Island, where the famous Alcatraz prison stands, was stunningly beautiful. It was hard to imagine that some of America’s most notorious inmates were once housed there. During an audio tour of Alcatraz, we got to see the exact location of a jailbreak in 1962 – the only successful escape in the history of the maximum security facility. ART ASSIMILATION: I’ve always been interested in art, but never quite knew how to pursue it further. Thanks to museum visits during the trip, I’ve discovered more about painting mediums, brush techniques and colour composition; and how knowledge of the artist’s life and influences can allow us to appreciate his work better. The brilliant artwork at the San Jose Museum of Art – grouped by themes such as Pop Art, Bauhaus and Photography – was especially inspiring. ALL IN A DAY’S WORK: We volunteered with Save the Bay, a non-profit organisation that works to protect and restore San Francisco Bay. Fertilising and watering plants, and pulling out non-native invasive species was hot and tiring work, but I was glad we could help restore the vegetation around the Bay area.

CALIFORNIA RYAN LEE

SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN &

ENGINEERING

HONG KONG AMANDA TAN PSYCHOLOGY

STUDIES

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Principal Clarence Ti experiencing what it was like to be wheelchair-bound.

Students learning sign language.

ome 50 to 100 students and staff of Ngee Ann Polytechnic experienced first-hand what it was like to be wheelchair-

bound when they tried to navigate a school canteen in a wheelchair with a cup of water balanced on a tray on their lap.

Principal Clarence Ti, who was one of the participants in the event called “Wheelchair Challenge”, recalled: “It was an eye-opening experience. I almost bumped into a student.”

He said more can be done to make the campus more accessible for the physically challenged. One example is to convert some of the doors at canteens to automatic sliding ones.

The “Wheelchair Challenge” was one of the fringe activities of the month-long “Inclusivity & Me” campaign which was held on campus between June 27 and July 27.

The campaign is part of NP’s Give Back Programme, an annual polytechnic-wide programme spearheaded by NP’s Community Service (ComServe) committee.

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SIt aimed to improve staff and

student’s knowledge on how to interact with people with disabilities, especially those with visual, hearing, physical and intellectual disabilities.

To kick off the campaign on June 27, about 200 staff and students representing eight community service clubs and eight academic schools gathered for the “Sign for Inclusivity” moment. Led by students from NP’s Hearing-impaired Club (Hi! Club), they learnt sign language on the spot and took a pledge in sign language that said “Together, we include everyone here”.

Clydia Tan, 19, who suffers from a hearing impairment and relies on hearing aids, is a final year student studying for a Diploma in Health Sciences (Nursing) at NP. She feels fortunate to be surrounded by teachers and friends who encouraged her to push her boundaries and excel despite her impediment.

She said: “We are not very much different from anyone else and we are just as capable if given equal opportunities to do so.”

AN INCLUSIVE CAMPUS Inclusivity was the focus of NP’s Give Back Programme this year TEXT: LEA WEE

Staff including those with disabilities, at the launch of the "Inclusivity & Me" campaign.

We are not very much different from anyone else and we are just as capable if given equal opportunities to do so.– Clydia Tan, 19, Health

Sciences (Nursing) final year student

SNAP A (WINNING)

SHOT WHILE DOING GOOD

Five photographs by Ngee Ann Polytechnic students were among the top 20 winners at an inaugural

photo contest organised by Youth Corps Singapore, which runs

Youth Expedition Project (YEP). The students were on service-learning

trips to various parts of Asia.

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Muddy Playground, Cambodia by Admad Rusyaidi Bin Rasiman, School of Engineering

A Smile We Can Give It, Laos by Jolene Gina Abelarde, School of Film & Media Studies

Not Your Typical Mama Shop Mama, Lombok by Kwek Xin Lin, School of Design & Environment Citizen of the Landfill, Dumaguete by Alcan Sng, School of Business & Accountancy

Shadow, Chiangrai by Clyde Teo, School of Business & Accountancy

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