NP Impact

NP is working with our partners to help students build in-market experience, networks and confidence to thrive across Southeast Asia.

At a time when Singapore businesses are encouraged to pursue expansion opportunities in ASEAN¹, companies have ranked understanding overseas business environments and cross-cultural communication among the most important capabilities needed to support internationalisation².

Against this backdrop, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) launched “SEA Unbound”, its Southeast Asia (SEA) Readiness Strategy to equip students with the skills, experience and networks to seize opportunities across the region.

Backed by a S$10 million SEA Talent Fund from The Ngee Ann Kongsi, SEA Unbound strengthens NP’s efforts to prepare graduates who are ready to work in and with Southeast Asia.

Thanks to the Fund, students can opt for the two-week SEA Immersion Leadership (SAIL) Programme that will take them to two vibrant cities. Besides connecting with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and community changemakers, they will get to tackle urban challenges alongside local students. Or, students from about half of NP’s courses can go on the one-week Study-Observe-Adapt-Reflect (SOAR) programme, during which they can deepen their domain skills and understand how their discipline applies in a Southeast Asian context.

Longer-term programmes include NP’s signature Global Entrepreneurial Internship Programme (GEIP) and Global-Ready Internship Programme.

Powering these experiences is NP’s newly-launched SEA Partners Network, which comprises more than 40 regional corporations, universities and government agencies. By offering industry perspectives, local networks, mentorship and in-market learning opportunities, the Network will give SEA Unbound its distinct edge.

Dr Ariawan Gunadi, Chairman of Tarumanagara Foundation – active across sectors such as education, healthcare and property, etc. in Indonesia – pointed out the value of SEA Unbound: “This initiative gives students access to the networks and support they need to pursue opportunities across the region.”

Another organisation in the SEA Partners Network is United Overseas Bank (UOB). Janet Young, Managing Director and Group Head of UOB Singapore said, “For those entering the workforce, having an understanding of how the region works, its culture, social fabric, and business environment will give them a clear advantage.”

Students who participated in programmes under SEA Unbound are grateful for the exposure.

Final-year Psychology & Community Development student Ariqah Mufidah returned from the SAIL Programme with insights on how businesses and communities in Bangkok and Jakarta address social and environmental challenges. She reflected, “SEA is incredibly diverse, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges different communities face. I learnt the importance of listening, understanding local contexts, and thinking more carefully about how we can contribute meaningfully.”

While on his GEIP at clean tech innovation company ExpresSo NB in Bangkok, final-year Business Studies student Jeffrey Chua researched the country’s residential solar market. “Working in Thailand pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he said. “It gave me more confidence navigating unfamiliar environments and taught me how businesses need to adapt to different markets and consumer needs.”