Based in Ngee Ann, Singapore’s first naval architecture degree will boost the marine and offshore industry

It might seem unusual, but Jerri Ealham graduated twice at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).

His first convocation ceremony on campus in 2007 was for the Diploma in Marine & Offshore Technology. He attended his second convocation ceremony in October last year, when he was among the pioneer batch of 58 students to graduate from the Naval Architecture degree course of Newcastle University Marine International, which is based in NP.

Jerri, 27, who graduated with first-class honours, said that the degree programme prepared him well for one of Singapore's fastest growing industries. His course was sponsored by Sembawang Shipyard, where he works as an engineer in the hull department.

“The course was great. We covered a lot of technical ground and gained a lot from the practical challenges. In the final year, my team got to design a general cargo ship. I can now face my work with greater confidence,” he said.

The degree programme, which began in September 2008 under the Ministry of Education’s Polytechnic-Foreign Specialised Institution, was the first full-time naval architecture degree course offered in Singapore.

It allows graduates from NP’s Diploma in Marine & Offshore Technology and Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma in Marine Engineering to finish their degree in two years instead of three because of a one-year advanced standing.

Mr Chia Mia Chiang, Principal of NP, said three factors contributed to the success of the programme – a high quality curriculum, close ties with partners, and scholarships and sponsorships by industry players.

“Ngee Ann is proud to have played a key role in ‘importing’ the Newcastle degree programme to provide Singapore with a sustained stream of specialists in Naval Architecture. The first-class education acquired by the graduates has certainly given them a distinct advantage in launching their careers,” he added.