Highlights of the Year

NP’s Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CfES) launched an innovative Liquid Cooling System for Data Servers that features the unique Spray Jet Impingement (SJI) technology. Co-developed with Hyprcool Pte Ltd and EMS Wiring Systems Pte Ltd, the system effectively manages heat dissipation, enabling denser server deployments in compact spaces and reducing energy consumption. More than 80 industry stakeholders, including system integrators, consultants and end-users, attended the event.

Funded by Enterprise Singapore under the Enterprise Development Grant, this collaborative consultancy project is yet another milestone in NP’s drive to develop next-gen sustainable technology.

Collaborating with JTC’s Centre of Excellence for FM Practices, NP launched the inaugural Digital Facilities Management (FM) training programme. Close to 80 Whole-of-Government FM practitioners – including partners from CBRE Singapore and Jones Lang LaSalle Singapore – gained insights into digital innovations and data-driven solutions that optimise building performance and sustainability. Having deployed solutions pioneered by NP’s Integrated Operations Centre, colleagues from the Estate, Eco & Safety (EES) Office shared best practices alongside other industry speakers.

At an event graced by then Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing, NP launched the Centre for Organisational Resilience and Inclusion (CORI) – the first among Institutes of Higher Learning – to offer training, consultancy, and research in human system design. Amid rising diversity and disruption, CORI supports organisations and learners in achieving positive outcomes for business, stakeholders, and the community.

CORI’s focus on building resilience and inclusion equips learners with practical skills to build healthy systems with lasting social impact. Since the programme’s launch in October 2024, nearly 300 participants from over 25 public and private organisations, including OCBC and UOB, have been trained.

Additionally, NP introduced new social sustainability-focused programmes for diploma-level students. The new Corporate Purpose Internship programme enables students to apply their domain skills to social impact projects at their internship company, while the Lien Foundation-supported Social Impact Scholarship aims to recognise students passionate about social causes and nurture future changemakers.

NP partnered optical technology leader ZEISS to address the growing myopia challenge in Singapore through an innovative technology-integrated curriculum. NP and ZEISS will co-develop the Optometry curriculum. The enhanced curriculum also introduces the cutting-edge NP-ZEISS Vision Management Suite – which boasts the ZEISS Vision Experience within our fully operational NP Optometry Centre – as well as ZEISS MyoConsult, an innovative, device-agnostic digital platform for myopia management.

Furthermore, students will participate in a new 25-week NP-ZEISS Specialised Overseas Internship Programme to gain hands-on experience and deeper perspectives about the optical industry and global eye care standards.

NP established the new School of Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies (HMIS) through a merger of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (HMS), the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) and the Office of Service-Learning (OSL). Marking a new direction for NP, this move underlines our commitment to drive social sustainability by equipping our students with the skills to help organisations address multi-faceted societal challenges.

NP’s School of Engineering teamed up with United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) to train engineers for careers in the semiconductor industry. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, UMC will introduce industry perspectives into the Microelectronics specialisation curriculum under the Diploma in Electronic & Computer Engineering. The collaboration will also enrich training programmes for recent graduates as well as working professionals seeking upskilling or reskilling opportunities.

Following the successful Partner Appreciation Day in 2023, NP hosted the second run for over 100 Work-Study Programme (WSP) and Workplace Learning partners. The event was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with three host companies, NextOfKin Creatives, ArcadeRental and Kingsmen, for the Work-Study Post-Diploma (WSP) Specialist Diploma in Creative Technologist.

At the event, Regional Managing Director of Eurofins Singapore, Mr Adrian Ng, shared a keynote address that shed light on how simple yet effective HR and workplace learning practices can drive lasting organisational success.

Philanthropic organisation The Ngee Ann Kongsi (NAK) donated $11.6 million to NP at a ceremony graced by then Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Ms Gan Siow Huang. This generous gift from our longstanding donor will support a suite of programmes, including the Overseas Merit Fellowship (OMF). The OMF is a prestigious talent development programme designed in partnership with top universities to empower students to become critical thinkers and socially conscious global citizens.

To champion workforce transformation, NP partnered with UOB on the Better U Pivot programme. Designed to empower employees to excel in new roles and embrace change with confidence, this holistic job transformation initiative will see NP provide customised learning and development solutions. From on-the-job training blueprints, custom training plans, to coaching sessions, the programme will help up to 500 employees thrive as they transition into new roles over the next two years.

Attesting to NP’s research and development capabilities, the Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CfES) entered into a technology transfer agreement with Memsift Innovations, a leader in innovative membrane-based technology for industrial wastewater management. The innovation involves a groundbreaking graphene membrane technology developed at NP, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% and has a lifespan twice as long as conventional membranes. With applications across industries such as textiles, agriculture, food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals, the technology holds immense potential.

Thanks to a collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, a made-in-Singapore IONIQ 6 car was presented to NP for curriculum purposes. Housed at the School of Engineering’s Automotive Centre, the vehicle brings engineering theories to life for our Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering students as they study the electrical and mechanical systems of this award-winning all-electric sedan.

NP’s School of Design & Environment (DE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with G Element Pte Ltd, a regional award-winning tech company that specialises in smart building and smart city solutions. Through the partnership, DE will incorporate G Element’s innovative digital twin technology into students’ learning, enabling them to work on real-world applications in smart building management and built environment sustainability initiatives. Apart from enhancing DE’s industry-relevant curriculum, the partnership will prepare students to shape the future of facilities management.

In October, the School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology (LSCT) marked its 35th anniversary with a memorable homecoming dinner attended by over 240 alumni. The event was a vibrant celebration of the school’s legacy, bringing together past and present members of the LSCT community to reconnect, network, and honour its journey since 1989. For over three decades, LSCT has inspired scientific curiosity, nurtured a passion for discovery, and equipped students for impactful careers in science.

Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NP and UOB for the Better U Pivot Programme in October, we welcomed the expansion of the programme and its impact to the bank’s staff in Malaysia. The holistic career transition initiative empowered team managers and staff to perform their new roles and embrace change more confidently.

The School of Life Sciences & Technology (LSCT) inked a partnership with Merck Singapore to enhance learning experiences for students from the Diploma in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. This partnership will involve the co-design and co-delivery of biopharmaceutical manufacturing modules, providing our students with valuable hands-on training and industry-relevant skills. Each year, 75 LSCT students will benefit by gaining access to Merck’s cutting-edge technologies as well as internship opportunities to kickstart their careers in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors.

Over 500 members of our NP community came together for this year's Walk for Rice event, collecting rice and oat donations for those in need. For every 300 metres walked, FairPrice Foundation pledged a donation of a bowl of white rice, brown rice, and oats to underprivileged residents in the South East district. With a total of 2,970 kilometres clocked, NP raised an outstanding 29,700 bowls of rice and oats!

Following the launch of the Specialised Overseas Immersion Programme, 28 students from NP’s Diploma in Design (Architecture) completed the Overseas Design Studio module in Medan, Indonesia. Collaborating with local partners Taman Simalem Resort and Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), our students developed a master plan and proposed development ideas for a site with views of the stunning Lake Toba to the landowner and other stakeholders. The trip also provided opportunities for cultural immersion and community engagement, allowing students to gain fresh perspectives on community-centred design.

NP welcomed a strong turnout of industry professionals at the Centre of Innovation for Built Environment – Robotics & Automation (COI-BERA) Seminar, an event supported by Enterprise Singapore and the Building & Construction Authority. Themed “Constructing the Future: Robotics in the Built Environment”, the event featured innovation journeys taken by SMEs and offered practical guidance on adopting robotics in the built environment. Participants gained valuable insights into leveraging emerging technologies, securing support for implementation and navigating regulations.

In a bid to publicise career opportunities in the accountancy profession, NP partnered with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) to set up a Campus Enterprise Hub. Students will get to participate in events to connect with industry professionals and access resources to aid them in their accounting careers. Along with this initiative, NP also announced the Polytechnic Pathway Programme (PPP) that allows non-Accountancy graduates to pursue a career in accountancy.

Supported by a $6 million grant and backed by industry leaders, the PPP will create new pathways for aspiring accountants. At the event, key partners like Ernst & Young also committed to hiring more diploma holders and supporting at least 300 Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification candidates through the programme.