Annual Report 2023/2024

Highlights of the Year

In our constant strive to provide the best possible learning opportunities for our students, we spearheaded several new collaborations, created top-notch learning spaces and mounted exciting initiatives for the year in review. It was also a year marked by many celebratory events, including our 60th Anniversary and the launch of a new corporate identity.

May 2023

NP launched an Industry-in-Curriculum (IiC) framework to enable a third of the curriculum to be co-developed, co-delivered, and co-assessed by industry professionals by 2024. The launch took place in conjunction with NP’s Industry Partners Appreciation Day which was graced by Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing. The IiC will equip students with in-demand skills and industry-validated competencies. Students will also benefit from internships and multi-disciplinary projects that focus on industry-relevant training. One novel initiative under this framework is 'Wednesdays Without Walls', which provides the space for students from different diploma courses, together with staff and industry partners, to work on real-world multidisciplinary projects.

More than 100 of our company partners attended our Industry Partners Appreciation Day and the official launch of our new liC framework, which was graced by the Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing.

NP announced an Amazon Web Services (AWS) collaboration that offers over 500 School of InfoComm Technology (ICT) students the opportunity to pursue industry-recognised certification through AWS Training and Certification programs. NP also launched a cloud computing specialisation to equip Diploma in Information Technology, Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics, and Data Science students with skills in cloud computing, data science, and cloud-native technologies. This specialisation enables ICT students to pursue industry certification through the AWS Academy and affords access to the online learning centre, AWS Skill Builder. The collaboration includes internships for final-year students.

The strong collaboration with industry leader AWS gives ICT students a boost in uplifting their professional qualifications.

NP celebrated its 60th anniversary this year with a host of festivities and initiatives involving thousands of students, staff, campus workers and alumni. Highlights included free breakfast at Brekkie on NP, a tree planting day, a carnival-Green Campus Trail experience dubbed ‘Rock & Stroll’, and the NP60 Fiesta Dinner & Dance. Over $80,000 was also raised for the NP Student Aid Fund through the NP60 Bloom & Grow With Us fundraiser.

NP rolled out a week of fun and vibrant NP60 festivities to mark our milestone!

June 2023

At the Staff Townhall in June, NP announced its 5th NP Strategic Plan also known as NP2030, which maps out NP's vision for the future, and outlines the polytechnic’s priorities and strategies for the next 5 to 10 years.

At the staff townhall, NP2030, NP’s vision for the future was unveiled, outlining NP’s priorities and strategies in NP’s 5th Strategic Plan.

NP’s School of Film & Media Studies launched an immersive on-campus space, the M:idea Playground, alongside a series of strategic industry partnerships with Aux Media Group Pte Ltd, Pixotope Technologies, and The Star Performing Arts Centre. More than 200 FMS students will benefit each year from the M:idea Playground and curriculum offerings that will equip them with cutting-edge virtual production capabilities and immersive storytelling skills for projection mapping and technical theatre.

July 2023

NP has partnered Keppel Ltd and Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) to groom Asia’s next-generation talents and startups. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the 7th Singapore Regional Business Forum in Hanoi, in the presence of Mr Le Minh Khai, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam and Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade & Industry. Over the next three years, tertiary students from Singapore and startups from NIC will undergo talent development programmes, including internships, which foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Striking a strategic alliance with key stakeholders - Keppel Ltd. and Vietnam National Innovation Centre – to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.

The School of Film & Media Studies marked the 30th anniversary of its Film, Sound & Video (FSV) programme with two days of FSV30 celebrations. A legend of its own, FSV has nurtured some of Singapore’s most prominent filmmakers and screenwriters, including Anthony Chen, Boo Junfeng and Yeo Siew Hua. The celebrations featured sharing sessions with alumna Kris Ong, and alumnus and Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, and National Development, Mr Tan Kiat How. The FSV30 anniversary party was hosted by alumnus Raj Kumar.

August 2023

The 2023 SkillsFuture Work-Study Fair was organised by NP, in collaboration with other polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. The Fair showcased work-study opportunities for fresh graduates and the industry partnerships that underpin the work-study ecosystem. The Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), introduced nine new SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes, which kicked off in October 2023. This was announced by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Education and Manpower at the event, which was part of SkillsFuture Festival 2023.

Minister of State for Education and Manpower Ms Gan Siow Huang at the SkillsFuture Work-Study Fair, which was themed “Step into your LIT Future”

A new community engagement robot named CODY (Community Outreach BudDY) began a six-month trial in August 2023 at the Central, Ang Mo Kio, and Jurong police divisions. Jointly developed by NP’s Robotics Research & Innovation Centre, the Singapore Police Force and HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency), CODY uses AI chatbot ChatGPT to respond to public queries. Its interactive features and multi-lingual capabilities enable it to engage the public in raising their awareness about crime prevention.

September 2023

NP was appointed one of Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)’s official training partners as part of their drive to build an AI talent pool by reskilling about 18,000 in AI and adjacent tech skills over the next three years. Through this collaboration, NP launched the Tech Skills Advancement Office to spearhead programme development. NP is committed to leading the way in ICT training and will partner industry giants like AWS, Alteryx, Cognizant, Outsystems, Tribe, and Xoogler to equip IT professionals with in-demand skills in software engineering, analytics, and AI.

NP takes part in IMDA’s drive to build Singapore’s AI talent pool over the next 3 years.

Nearly 40 students, including those from The Christieara Programme - NP’s flagship initiative for student talent development - were selected for the 2023 Overseas Merit Fellowship (OMF). The 16-day trip to Brisbane, Australia, was an eyeopener, giving them a broader perspective on global issues impacting Singapore today. Sustainability, for example, was one area the students had gained deeper insights in as they visited the University of Queensland’s biodiverse campus, attended multidisciplinary workshops, and connected with industry experts there.

October 2023

In conjunction with NP’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, we unveiled a fresh brand identity that embodies our journey, values, and vision for the future. The new logo distils the essence of the NP brand into a contemporary yet dignified visual representation, featuring bold typography and distinctive colours, all while preserving our iconic shield – the symbol of our rich heritage.

The logos and icons for NP’s academic schools have also been refreshed.

On 12 October, longstanding donor Ngee Ann Kongsi (NAK) donated $10 million to NP at a ceremony graced by Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Ms Gan Siow Huang. The funds will go toward empowering students in financial need. It will also fund enriching overseas exposure opportunities for all, through programmes such as NP’s signature Global Entrepreneurial Internship Programme (GEIP), which seeks to nurture the entrepreneurial skills of students by exposing them to the dynamic work culture in overseas startups.

(From left) NP Principal & CEO Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Chairman of NP Council Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Minister of State for Education and Manpower Ms Gan Siow Huang, President of Ngee Ann Kongsi Dr Wu Chiaw Ching, and Chairman of the Education Sub-Committee Mr Goh Kim Hock.

November 2023

NP partnered Air Liquide, a global leader in gases, technologies, and services for industries and healthcare to co-develop, co-deliver, and co-assess the Sustainable Process Design module. This will benefit 75 final-year Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering students from the School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology every year. They will gain proficiency in using a simulation software for process optimisation, a key skill in boosting efficiency and sustainability in the health, energy, chemical, and electronics industries. Students will also potentially be offered employment by Air Liquide.

NP Senior Management and LSCT staff with Mr Zhang Xi, VP, Southeast Asia Cluster & Managing Director of Air Liquide Singapore, and Ms Megan Chua, Lead HR Business Partner of Air Liquide.

To nurture cybersecurity talent, NP signed an extension to a Memorandum of Understanding with Group-IB, a leading creator of cybersecurity technologies. NP’s School of InfoComm Technology will set up a student-operated NP-Group-IB Threat Intelligence and Defence Centre (TIDC), powered by Group-IB’s industry-leading solutions. The first such centre of its kind in Singapore, the TIDC offers over 200 Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics students insights into identifying and managing cyber threats. Students will use the latest technologies and develop skills they can apply in real-world settings by working with NP’s startup partners.

NP partnered Enterprise Singapore (ESG) to support SMEs in developing and adopting robotics and automation solutions in built environments for ESG's new Centre of Innovation. This was announced at the SME Tech Day 2023 event. NP also partnered the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to develop the operation and technology roadmap for local enterprises and training programmes to upskill the workforce. Students will also gain exposure to R&D via a technology for enterprise capability upgrading (T-Up) programme under the mentorship of A*STAR’s scientists.

December 2023

NP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to boost volunteerism and give students professional exposure. Under the partnership, AIC will offer NP students volunteering opportunities in community care setting such as active ageing centres.

The MOU signing ceremony, graced by Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung, marks a significant step in empowering students to make a positive impact on the lives of seniors.

January 2024

In support of a new specialisation in Gen AI through its Data Science diploma, NP’s School of InfoComm Technology worked with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop the Gen AI Hub at NP. The Gen AI Hub showcases groundbreaking projects such as AWS Bedrock, Gignite.ai, and Gen AI Capstone, in collaboration with KataKato and other startups. With NP’s Gen AI Hub, students can explore the possibilities of Gen AI and experience firsthand its transformative impact on learning.

Gen AI Hub impressed NP Open House visitors.

March 2024

NP announced plans to integrate sustainability across its curriculum, operations, and partnerships at the launch of its Sustainability Education & Ecosystem Development (SEED) initiative. Graced by the Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, the event signalled the acceleration of NP’s sustainability efforts. Under the SEED initiative, NP will contribute towards Singapore’s green goals by developing sustainability-intelligent graduates to meet the emerging needs of the green economy, spearheading sustainability-focused industry partnerships through the Centre for Environmental Sustainability and greening a brown campus.

NP Principal & CEO Mr Lim Kok Kiang (left) with Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee (right), launching the SEED initiative with the support of key industry players.

NP signed a master collaboration agreement with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). The partnership is aimed at enhancing the articulation of NP’s academic programmes, including part-time diploma pathways, into SUSS degree programmes. Upon completion of select NP CET full qualification programmes, learners can gain credits for the corresponding SUSS degree programme, thus enhancing their pathway to further education. The first part-time diploma programme to be enhanced under this agreement is the Applied Management for the Future Workplace programme.