Latest news with #RepublicPolytechnic
Independent Singapore
19-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘I can't even get an interview': Fresh grad turns to Reddit after 4 months of job hunting
SINGAPORE: After months of tirelessly sending out job applications and hearing nothing back, a fresh biomedical science graduate is now asking the internet what more she can do. Posting on Reddit's r/askSingapore forum on Wednesday (July 16), the graduate, who completed her degree at a private university after doing a diploma in the same field at Republic Polytechnic, shared that it has been four months since she started job hunting, but she has yet to receive a single interview. 'All my friends already managed to get a job, but I can't seem to even get an interview,' she shared. 'I only have a small group of uni friends, but compared to them, I have previous experience in this field as I started working after my diploma.' She added that she's already updated her resume and carefully personalises each cover letter, but despite all the effort, she still hasn't gotten a single reply. 'Honestly, this is getting really tiring because I have been applying every single day on almost all platforms,' she wrote. 'I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.' She ended her post by asking if anyone had any tips or suggestions that might help her get her foot in the door. 'If you are not getting interview, then it's your CV.' Fellow Redditors responded with a range of practical suggestions. Some recommended reaching out to friends and asking them to 'pass her resume to their company's HR departments,' noting that even securing an interview for practice could be beneficial. Others encouraged her to reconnect with 'former colleagues or employers' from her previous work experiences in the field. A number of users also suggested contacting hiring managers or HR professionals directly via LinkedIn with a sincere and tailored message, as this approach has proven effective for many. A few commenters also speculated that the issue could lie with her resume. One user bluntly stated, 'If you are not getting interviews, then it's your CV.' Another added, 'Resume has to be neat, readable. No small fonts and fanciful colours all over the place. And please don't include your NRIC (Only saying this because I've seen so many people doing it.)' 'It is also a numbers game. As ridiculous as it is, it is also luck. If there's way too many candidates, they will skip a few depending on the soft skills, etc needed.' In other news, a diner took to social media to vent his frustration after being charged $5 for a simple bowl of lontong at Bishan Interchange Food Centre. In a post on the 'Complaint Singapore' Facebook page on Tuesday (July 16), the man shared that his breakfast, which was listed at S$3, ended up costing S$5 after a piece of begedil was added to the dish. Read more: Diner upset his lontong meal cost S$5 after adding begedil, but netizens say it's still 'cheap' Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
The Star
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Casual racism is not okay and more people should understand this, says S'pore acting minister for Culture, Community and Youth
SINGAPORE: Casual racism should not be tackled with more laws, but by helping people understand it is not acceptable in Singapore. Responding to a student during a dialogue session on Saturday (July 12) at Republic Polytechnic, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said it is more important to let people know why casual racism is not acceptable. The student had asked if casual racism should be tackled by implementing more policies in Singapore, or by a greater focus on engendering heightened sensitivity among Singaporeans. Neo said: 'I personally really don't think that the way forward is to throw in more rules, more policies, more laws to catch people. I don't think that's the kind of Singapore we want to live in. 'Rather it's about building the understanding, getting more people to understand why casual racism is not okay, why it is not acceptable, and getting more people to subscribe to this idea that we need to be respectful of every single race, and we need to be careful of what we say.' Students also raised other issues, such as the relevance of Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools and Singapore's Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others (CMIO) system of ethnic classification. The dialogue session was part of the HarmonyWorks! Conference organised by racial harmony advocacy group Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo at It's Giving Fest on July 12. - Photo: ST Around 200 participants and facilitators attended the conference themed Hands Of Humanity, Shaping Our Future. Most of the participants were students from post-secondary institutions, madrasahs and SAP schools. Members from community groups like the People's Association also attended the conference, which is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the five community development councils and Mirxes, a biotechnology company. The dialogue, which lasted for more than an hour, was held under Chatham House rules, which means that participants cannot be named in media reports. One of the questions posed by a recent university graduate was about the CMIO model, and whether Neo saw the model evolving as Singapore becomes more multicultural and has more new citizens and interracial marriages. Neo said he does not think the model is perfect, but that it was and is useful to drive integration efforts. He said that it has served Singapore well, adding that the model has to be continuously looked at. 'My own belief is that as long as we continue to hold to our fundamental and core belief that this is a place for all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion, everybody is treated equally, everybody has the same fair chance, then whatever model we use to make sure we have that common space actually is secondary. 'What is primary is this fundamental belief, and I'm sure the future generations of Singaporeans will be able to evolve and come up with a model that will allow this to happen.' When asked about the relevance of SAP schools, Neo said that by and large, there is a desire for organisations and schools to be multicultural. But that there is a space for each group to also advocate for themselves, to push and strengthen the understanding of their own culture and practices. This helps build diversity and makes Singapore strong as a nation, he said, adding that that is why there is space in Singapore for self-help groups and SAP schools. However, he said SAP schools must not go off on their own and be involved only in the understanding of an individual mother tongue and strengthening of an individual culture, but should contribute to the common space, to add to the richness and diversity of Singapore. Krisha Janelle Gopu joined the SG60 Flex Your Passion mentorship programme after she graduated from Singapore Polytechnic in March. - Photo: ST Later in the day, Neo attended It's Giving Fest, an event held at *Scape to celebrate Singapore's 60th year of independence and the aspirations of young people. Held across July 12 and 13, the event features live concerts and performances, short films, a flea market, a cosplay segment and food trucks, as well as interactive games designed by young people. The films and songs showcased include works by 53 students from various institutes of higher learning. The students had received guidance from seven industry professionals for four months as part of the SG60 Flex Your Passion mentorship programme. Krisha Janelle Gopu, 21, joined the programme after she graduated from Singapore Polytechnic in March. She worked as a producer on the 10-minute film Lion Heart, which is about a percussionist in a lion dance troupe who confronts self-doubt with the support of his troupe mates and those in the community. Krisha, who will be going to the University of Stirling in Scotland in September to pursue film and media, said her mentor in the programme had provided her with support and resources. Among other things, her mentor introduced her to a network of people in the industry, who included casting agents and experienced art development specialists. 'The experience of this mentorship programme helped me to grow more confident as a producer and gain experience in all aspects of production,' she said. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Casual racism should be tackled by getting more people to understand it is not acceptable: David Neo
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE - Casual racism should not be tackled with more laws, but by helping people understand it is not acceptable in Singapore. Responding to a student during a dialogue session on July 12 at Republic Polytechnic, Acting Minister of Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said it is more important to make people know why casual racism is not acceptable. The student had asked if more policies should be implemented in Singapore to tackle casual racism, or by a greater focus on engendering heightened sensitivity among Singaporeans. Mr Neo said: 'I personally really don't think that the way forward is to throw in more rules, more policies, more laws to catch people. I don't think that's the kind of Singapore we want to live in. 'Rather it's about building the understanding, getting more people to understand why casual racism is not okay, why it is not acceptable and getting more people to subscribe to this idea that we need to be respectful of every single race and we need to be careful of what we say.' Students also raised other issues, such as the relevance of Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools and Singapore's Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others (CMIO) system of ethnic classification. The dialogue session is part of the HarmonyWorks! Conference, which is organised by racial harmony advocacy group Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Members from community groups like People's Association also attended the conference, which is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the five Community Development Councils and Mirxes, a biotechnology company. The dialogue, which lasted for more than an hour, was held under Chatham House rules, which means that participants cannot be named in media reports. One of the questions posed by a recent graduate was about the CMIO model, and if Mr Neo sees the model evolving as Singapore becomes more multicultural, has more new citizens and sees more interracial marriages. Mr Neo said that he does not think the model is perfect but that it was and is useful to drive integration efforts. He said that it has served Singapore well, adding that the model has to be continuously looked at. Said Mr Neo: 'My own belief is that as long as we continue to hold to our fundamental and core belief that this is a place for all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language, or religion, everybody is treated equally, everybody has the same fair chance, then whatever model we use to make sure we have that common space actually is secondary. 'What is primary, is this fundamental belief and I'm sure the future generations of Singaporeans will be able to evolve and come up with a model that will allow this to happen.' When asked about the relevance of SAP schools, Mr Neo said that by and large there is a desire for organisations and schools to be multicultural, but that there is a space for each group to also advocate for themselves, to push and strengthen the understanding of their own culture and practices. This helps build diversity and makes Singapore strong as a nation, he said, adding that that is why there is space in Singapore for self-help groups and SAP schools. However, he said SAP schools must not go off on their own and only be involved in the understanding of an individual mother tongue and strengthening of an individual culture. He said they have to bring this back to the common space, to add to the richness and diversity of Singapore. Later in the day, Mr Neo attended It's Giving Fest, an event held at *Scape celebrating Singapore's 60th year of independence and the aspirations of young people. Held across July 12 and 13, the event features live concerts and performances, short films, a flea market, a cosplay segment, food trucks, as well as interactive games designed by youths. The films and songs showcased included works by 53 students from various Institutes of Higher Learning. The students had received guidance from seven industry professionals for four months as part of the SG60 Flex Your Passion mentorship programme. Ms Krisha Janelle Gopu, 21, joined the prorgramme after she graduated from Singapore Polytechnic in March. As a producer, she worked on the 10-minute film Lion Heart, which is about a percussionist in a lion dance troupe who confronts self-doubt with the support of his troupe mates and the community around him. Ms Krisha, who will be going to the University of Stirling in Scotland in September, to pursue film and media, said her mentor in the programme had provided her with support and resources. Among other things, her mentor introduced her to a network of people in the industry, which included casting agents and experience art development specialists. 'The experience of this mentorship programme helped me to grow more confident as a producer and gain experience in all aspects of production,' she said.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore's Venus Lim claims 10-ball title at Commonwealth Billiards C'ships
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Singapore's Venus Lim (left) won the Commonwealth Billiards Championships 10-ball title, while compatriot Audrey Chua was second in the snooker competition. SINGAPORE – Down 2-5 in a race to seven racks within 100 minutes, Singapore's Venus Lim found herself with a mountain to climb in the Commonwealth Billiards Championships women's 10-ball final against India's two-time world snooker champion Chitra Magimairaj. But the 22-year-old pulled off a remarkable comeback in Mauritius on July 6 to tie the score at 5-5, before prevailing 4-2 in a shoot-out to score the biggest triumph of her career. She told The Straits Times: 'I took a timeout at 2-5 down and told myself to cool down, take my chances for each ball and rack, and enjoy the process. I controlled my breathing and tried to concentrate on the game and not on the rack difference. 'But as much as I wanted to fight back, I also thought the three-rack deficit was too much to overcome. Furthermore, she has just the nine and 10-ball to clear in the eighth rack to move within a rack of victory. 'I thought she would pot them, but she left the nine-ball hanging around the pocket. I took my chances well and fought back into the match to take it to the penalty shoot-out.' After dabbling in bowling and badminton, Lim found a new interest on the baize after being introduced to pool by her older brother when she was 17. Upon graduating with a diploma in applied chemistry from Republic Polytechnic, she began playing pool full-time in March. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Fewer marriages in Singapore in 2024; greater marital stability for recent marriages Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Asia 72-year-old man on diving trip to Pulau Tioman in Malaysia found dead on the beach Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Asia Bali flights nixed after huge Indonesia volcano eruption Life How to cope with the heat when travelling: 5 expert-backed tips She said: 'At first, I was just curious about how this sport works, and was not really passionate about pool. But over time, I realised I have some talent and it brings me so much joy when I take my cue out and play. 'To win this final feels unreal, and I feel so happy with my first overseas win and I hope there is more to come.' Compatriot Audrey Chua also recorded her best result in her budding career, as the 37-year-old reached the snooker final at the same event at The Ravenala Attitude Balaclava, before losing 2-0 to England's world No. 5 Rebecca Kenna. The Catholic High School primary school teacher played pool when she was an undergraduate, but started snooker only in 2025. She said: 'I'm still taking it all in, and it feels quite surreal. I honestly didn't expect to reach my first final, especially since I started playing snooker only five months ago. It's definitely a milestone I'll treasure. Although I lost 2–0, the experience was invaluable. Competing with someone of Rebecca's calibre was both humbling and deeply inspiring. 'Snooker is quite different as it required me to relearn many things, like adjusting my stance, changing my stroke, and getting used to the larger table. Balancing training with a full-time teaching job is also challenging, but it's been incredibly rewarding.' Lim and Chua's breakthrough is a welcome boost for the Singapore women's cuesports scene, as they aim to represent the Republic at more international tournaments. Cuesports Singapore president Christopher Chuah said: 'While our male athletes like Aloysius Yapp (pool), Peter Gilchrist (English billiards) and Jaden Ong (snooker) are continuing to fly our flag high in the international arena, our ladies have proven that they are also up to the mark. 'Audrey Chua reached the finals and lost out only to a former professional snooker player, while Venus went one step further to clinch gold for Singapore in a nail-biting finish against a top Indian pool player. Their performance augurs well for Singapore and will undoubtedly spur our other female athletes to attain greater heights in the international arena.'
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Straits Times
Five ways to beat the summer heat when travelling
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People walking through artificial mist to cool down on a hot day in Tokyo. SINGAPORE – Heatwaves are no longer seasonal spikes. They are fast becoming a defining feature of summer travel. In 2025 so far , countries such as France, Italy and Spain have reported fatalities linked to the heat, while thousands more suffer from heat-related illnesses. Closer to home, popular holiday spots such as Japan, China and South Korea are also battling sweltering conditions, with record temperatures making headlines. According to a June report by the World Meteorological Organisation, Asia is warming at a rate nearly twice the global average, driven by its vast land mass and rapid urbanisation. With global heat records shattered in 2023, 2024 and now 2025, the heat is no longer just a travel nuisance – it is also a health hazard. Experts caution that travelling in high temperatures, especially in crowded cities or with a packed itinerary, can take a toll on the body. They dole out five tips to beat the heat while on vacation in summer. 1. Check humidity levels Instead of just checking the local temperature, Dr Heng Kiang Soon, a nutrition scientist and senior lecturer at Republic Polytechnic, suggests referencing the temperature-humidity index to better prepare for the heat. The index is a measure that combines air temperature and relative humidity to assess how hot it feels. For instance, if the temperature is 32 deg C and the humidity is at 70 per cent, it might feel like it is 41 deg C. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Fewer marriages and births in Singapore in 2024; greater stability for later cohorts Singapore Paternity leave take-up in S'pore rises to 56% in 2023; experts hope for further boost after extension Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Singapore More nurses to anchor care in community settings as Singapore's population ages Dr Heng says that when humidity is high, it is harder for perspiration – a means for the body to remove heat – to evaporate. As a result, the body cannot cool down efficiently as sweat clings to the skin, creating a higher risk of heat stroke. Weather apps often provide temperature and humidity readings. Apps like AccuWeather and Weather Underground come with additional features like radar maps and customised alerts. Both are available on the Android and Apple app stores. 2. Optimise your travel healthcare Make appointments for vaccinations early, ahead of peak travel seasons. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Dr Ammar Angullia, family physician and managing director of travel health services provider ST&T International, advises travellers to get appropriate travel health insurance coverage and the necessary vaccinations for their trips. Those who suffer from cardiovascular issues or asthma, for instance, should look into travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions. 'It is costly, but having insurance gives you the assurance that you have access to healthcare in a foreign place , if needed ,' he says. He adds that one of the first things travellers should do when planning a trip is to note the emergency medical services hotlines in their travel destination. Common vaccines , such as those for seasonal influenza and Hepatitis A or B, may not directly prevent dehydration or heat-related illness. However, getting vaccinated helps reduce your risk of falling sick while abroad, says Dr Ammar . 'When your body is already coping with extreme heat and the risk of dehydration, the last thing you want is to be fighting off another infection at the same time. Vaccinations reduce the risk of infection during travel . This is especially important when your body is already coping with stressors like extreme heat or long, tiring journeys ,' he says. 'You want to fortify your health before going overseas so you can enjoy your trip as much as possible.' 3. Pace yourself If you are going from an air-conditioned office in Singapore to a heatwave in Rome, your body will need time to catch up. When travelling between different climates, give your body time to adjust to new temperatures. PHOTO: AFP Dr Heng advises travellers to take it slow in the first few days of their trip. That means avoiding overly ambitious itineraries and planning strenuous activities, like hiking or long walking tours, during cooler hours, such as early mornings or evenings. 'When we participate in physically demanding activities, we metabolise energy and that internal process also generates heat,' he says. 'If the external temperature is already high, your body will struggle to cool itself down.' W hen heading outdoors, w ear light, breathable fabrics like linen, or sweat-wicking materials such as nylon or bamboo fabric. Protect yourself with a hat and sunglasses, and take along a refillable water bottle. Dr Ammar says travellers typically try to adhere closely to their itineraries – even when it is jam-packed – because tickets may already have been booked. 'Sometimes, travellers brush off small symptoms of heat-related issues, like dizziness or nausea, as side effects of jet lag or discomfort caused by new foods they've eaten, and try to power through,' he says. 'If necessary, don't hesitate to adjust or cancel some plans, and seek medical attention if you're feeling unwell. 'The attractions you want to visit will likely still be there, but if you don't listen to your body, it might lead to more serious health consequences.' 4. Hydrate before leaving your accommodation Dr Heng recommends drinking at least a full glass ( 250ml ) of water 30 minutes before leaving your accommodation, especially when transitioning from cool, air-conditioned spaces to sweltering outdoor heat, which can sometimes differ in temperature by more than 10 deg C. Take along a refillable bottle and top it up at hotels, restaurants or public water fountains. PHOTO: AFP While it is tempting to rely on convenience stores or cafes to grab water on the go, plan ahead. Carry a refillable water bottle and top it up at safe sources, such as drinking water dispensers located at hotels, airport terminals or restaurants. Set alerts on your phone to remind you to drink water every one to two hours, even if you are not thirsty. Boost hydration with foods that are high in water content, such as watermelons, oranges, grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes and clear soups. Adding electrolyte tablets or powders to drinking water can also help replenish lost minerals. And while coffee is a mild diuretic, which promotes urination, Dr Heng notes it is not necessarily harmful in the heat – as long as you drink more water to compensate for fluid loss. 5. Keep a small towel handy Heat stroke can creep up quickly, especially when your body temperature rises above 37 deg C – essentially mimicking a fever. Common warning signs include light-headedness, headaches and nausea. If you experience any of these, stop, find shade, hydrate and cool your body down immediately, says Dr Ammar. A small towel is a simple but effective tool. It can be used to wipe off accumulated sweat, which allows your body's natural cooling system – perspiration – to work more efficiently. For an extra cooling boost, dampen the towel with water and place it on your neck or wrists to bring your core temperature down.
