Ngee Ann Polytechnic has been offering The Christieara Programme (TCP) since 2002 to identify and groom top students in leadership, develop their intellectual capacity and an appreciation of complex global issues and current affairs, and maximise their potential. It is the first polytechnic to do so and the programme provides the students with the right support and added motivation to excel, and enrich their learning journey at Ngee Ann.

NP Scholars and Achievement Scholars are automatically enrolled in the TCP. Outstanding and top-ranking students who are not on scholarships are also admitted into the TCP. Selection for the TCP is based on the students' track record in their studies and CCA performance.

Objectives of The Christieara Programme

• Develop and nurture the students' innate potential through residential training in areas such as leadership, creativity & innovation. strength of character and social skills
  
  
• Expand the students' perspectives on global issues and heighten their awareness of current affairs, provoking them to independently form and articulate their stand on world issues;
  
  
• Enhance the students' employability and optimize their chances for further studies through workshops and personal coaching.

Structure of The Christieara Programme

The TCP is structured as a three-year holistic programme in three distinct stages:

Stage 1: Foundation Development

Upon selection, the TCP students will undergo a residential Leadership Programme for foundational training in leadership, goal-setting and character-building. It will also serve to align the TCP students' academic and life goals.

Within the first year of study, TCP students will take part in prescribed modules offered under the broad-based Ngee Ann Learning Model. Topics covered include Creative, Critical & Applied Thinking Skills Development, Social Service Involvement, Communication Skills Training and Life Management Skills Development.


Stage 2: Intellectual Capacity Expansion

After the Foundational Development stage, students move on to develop their intellectual capacity and acquire an understanding of global issues and current affairs. They will attend seminars, conferences as well as overseas study missions, where they will examine world issues and be challenged to form and validate their opinions.

Recently, TCP students went to Thailand on a Joint Overseas Study Mission with students from National Junior College. They visited the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Thai Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Population and Community Development Association in Bangkok. Students from both institutions investigated issues challenging ASEAN and Asia.


Stage 3: Further Studies Preparation

As TCP students enter Stage 3, they will be challenged to sharpen their thinking skills and engage in university and scholarship application activities. They get opportunities to engage in dialogues on public policies and current affairs with government and political leaders. TCP students will also undergo preparations and attend workshops for scholarship application.

In Academic Years 2008/2009 and 2009/2010, the TCP will culminate in a 3-week Liberal Arts Challenge in the United States. Activities in the programme will again tax the students' critical thinking and analysis abilities while engaging them to deepen their understanding of social and community issues.


Joining The Christieara Programme

Students awarded the NP Scholarship or NP Achievement Scholarship are automatically enrolled in the TCP. Please visit our Student Services Scholarship web page for details and online application. Students with outstanding academic and CCA results are encouraged to apply for the NP scholarships.