Latest news with #SingaporePolytechnic
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Singapore, Malaysia collaborate on skills training for JS-SEZ
SINGAPORE: Institutes of higher learning in the Island Republic are working with their counterparts in Malaysia to train people on the necessary skills needed in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), says a Singaporean minister. Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development Alvin Tan said that skills and talent development were one of the key ingredients needed for the success of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). "For example, our Singapore Polytechnic is working with the Johor Skills Development Council and other institutes in Johor to ensure that workers will have the skills to take on these jobs. "We want to have a strong value proposition for Johor and Singapore in terms of people, infrastructure and businesses," he said during the official signing ceremony and grand unveiling of Ascott Coronation Square Johor Baru. He said that the JS-SEZ was important because it was a value proposition for others outside to have a location to invest. Tan pointed out that Singapore's strengths was as a global hub of research, development and finance, while Johor's strengths lay in its growing talent and resources. "This is complementary and a win-win. "We need to put in all the ingredients to make it happen," he said, adding that one key announcement was the Ascott signing, while the Rapid Transit System (RTS) was also an important ingredient. Meanwhile, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, in his speech, said that the unveiling of Ascott Coronation Square Johor Baru was a proud moment for the state as it was a significant step towards becoming a dynamic, future-ready and internationally connected state. 'Coronation Square is not just another development. It is a catalyst project of the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), which forms a vital component of the broader JS-SEZ,' he said. He stressed that the IIBD vision was to create a vibrant new business and financial hub for the region and Coronation Square stands as a centrepiece of this iconic city masterplan. Onn said that while Johor continues to prioritise affordable housing, rural development and community upliftment, the state also acknowledges the importance of high-impact, investment-grade developments. 'Projects like Coronation Square attract international investors, tourists and talents. All of whom contribute to a more diverse and resilient economy,' he said, adding that they generate quality job opportunities, raise industry standards and create upskilling pathways for Johorians to thrive in a globally competitive market. He added that the arrival of Ascott Limited in Coronation Square marks a turning point for Johor's hospitality landscape. 'Ascott presence brings a world-renowned brand into our state, elevating Johor's profile on a global stage,' he added. Ascott Coronation Square Johor Baru, will be a five-star hotel with 207 rooms housed within Tower 1 of Coronation Square, strategically located in the IIBD of the JS-SEZ. Scheduled to open in the second half of 2029, the hotel will cater to leisure, business and long-stay travellers with comprehensive facilities including an all-day dining restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre, residents' lounge and meeting rooms. Designed as a sanctuary of fine living, the property will showcase Ascott's signature touches through timeless interiors, curated lobby art installations and elevated service by the Ascott Artisan. Guests can enjoy curated experiences, including Themed Suites and the Ascott Soirée, a cultural initiative celebrating the arts and connecting guests to their destination.
Associated Press
29-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
DNDA25 Summit Registration Opens: Shaping the Future with Humanity-Centered Design
Singapore Polytechnic and the Don Norman Design Award to co-host international summit, November 19-21, 2025, with registration now open SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, July 29, 2025 / / -- Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and the Don Norman Design Award (DNDA) are proud to announce that registration is officially open for the DNDA25 Summit. Taking place from November 19–21, 2025, at the Singapore Polytechnic Convention Centre (SPCC), this milestone event marks the first time the Summit will be held outside the United States, a meaningful shift that reflects Asia's growing influence in shaping design for societal impact. Under the theme, 'Humanity-Centered Design (HCD+): The Future of Education, Business and Community,' the DNDA25 Summit will unite designers, visionaries, innovators, educators, and changemakers from around the world. The Summit unfolds with three days filled with transformative keynotes, candid stories of design breakthroughs and setbacks, and spirited debate on how HCD+ can drive lasting, positive impact for people and the planet. The DNDA25 Summit boasts an illustrious lineup of keynote speakers, including legendary design pioneer Don Norman himself; Ezio Manzini, professor of design at Politecnico di Milano and a leading voice in sustainable innovation; and Daniel Iacofano, founding principal and chief executive officer of MIG. Joining them are Dr Wong Sweet Fun, chief transformation officer at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, and Sanjay Purohit, chief executive officer of the Centre for Exponential Change, with more inspiring speakers from Asia and across the globe to be revealed in the coming months. A major highlight will be the DNDA25 Awards — celebrating exceptional contributions in early-career work, educational programs and organizational leadership. Honorees will share first-hand lessons from their design journeys, fostering inspiration for those working to embed humanity-centered values into innovation and transformation. DNDA25 builds on a trusted partnership between SP and Don Norman, who first joined SP as Guest of Honor at the DT|UX Summit in 2023 and later endorsed the launch of the institution's HCD+ Innovation Framework. The collaboration deepened in 2024 with the inaugural regional DT|UX Summit in the Philippines and SP's global recognition at DNDA24 for leadership in the HCD+ space, making it one of only eight institutions worldwide to receive the honor. Whether you are an early-career professional, student, educator, or industry leader, DNDA25 invites you to be part of a global movement redefining the impact of design. Secure your spot and learn more at — join those determined to harness design as a catalyst for good. About Singapore Polytechnic Singapore Polytechnic (SP), established in 1954, is a leading educational institution committed to shaping future-ready talent and driving innovation. With a staff strength of 1,400 and over 12,800 students across 30 full-time diploma courses and four common entry programmes, SP is known for its strong industry focus, mastery in teaching, and emphasis on lifelong learning. Visit to learn more. About Don Norman Design Award The Don Norman Design Award (DNDA) organization is dedicated to promoting the global adoption of Humanity-Centered Design (HCD+). DNDA champions holistic and sustainable design practices that benefit all people, living things, cultures, and the planet. Founded in 2023 as a nonprofit organization, DNDA draws inspiration from the work of Don Norman, a luminary in the world of design with a distinguished career as an author, teacher, advisor, and executive at companies such as Apple, HP, and the Nielsen Norman group. Please visit to learn more. Contacts: Cynthia Chin Singapore Polytechnic [email protected] Christine Trimble Don Norman Design Award [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
‘Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family'
This young father and podcaster turned doubt into drive, leveraging the right support to make a meaningful career pivot to be more present and provide for his growing household As he became a dad, Mr Syed Sharif leaned on upskilling and support that helped him find his footing and be more present at home. For many in their 30s, this season of life is defined by transition – raising young children, supporting ageing parents and carving out a fulfilling career. In 2022, Mr Syed Sharif was in the thick of it. At the time, his wife and him were expecting their first child, and he was working shifts at a bank – while quietly going through a personal crossroads moment. 'I kept wondering – as a new father, am I doing enough? It wasn't just about contributing financially. I wanted to be there emotionally, too,' he shares. 'I knew I had to be there for my wife and son, get my resume done and look for a new job.' The 34-year-old, who has a diploma in mechanical engineering from Singapore Polytechnic, had spent several years in roles that required shift work – a routine he knew was not sustainable for his family priorities in the long run. He also wanted to move into a more strategic role and saw upskilling as the first step. Just before his wife gave birth, he used his SkillsFuture Credit to fund a three-month course in compliance – a field he had long been curious about. With the credit, Mr Sharif did not need to pay out of pocket for his course fees. 'I wanted to maximise the usage of my SkillsFuture Credit to open career pathways for me, like getting a higher-paying job with more responsibilities in an industry that I had always wanted to join,' he says. Within a month of receiving his certificate, he managed to land a new role as a compliance officer at another bank. It came with a significant pay raise, better long-term prospects, and structured working hours which would allow him to spend quality time with his family. Mr Sharif (far right) finds balance through creativity too, such as co-hosting Vada Poche – a podcast conducted in a mix of English and Tamil – with his friends. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SYED SHARIF Balancing fatherhood, work and personal passions He is especially grateful for the support from his wife Shaheena, who left her job in insurance to focus fully on raising their son. She is now pregnant with their second child. Government-paid paternity leave (GPPL) gave him two weeks of protected time to bond with his newborn and be present for his wife during those early, often overwhelming days as a first-time parent. Now, with baby number two on the way, he is planning to use four weeks of GPPL and also tap on the shared parental leave – a scheme that currently offers six weeks of leave and will be extended to 10 weeks for parents of babies born from April 2026. 'Paternity leave was the most crucial part of giving my wife time to rest, while I cared for our son and bonded with him during those precious first days,' he says. 'With our second child coming soon, we now know all about the government support that we can use.' With his second child on the way, Mr Sharif feels more assured, knowing that he can tap additional support such as increased mandatory paternity leave and the new shared parental leave scheme. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Meanwhile, although his company offers flexible working arrangements, Mr Sharif prefers the routine of being in the office. He gets to plan his day better and reserve the evenings for his family. This structure also gives him time to invest in his passion project, Vada Poche, a podcast he launched in 2020 with three friends. The team spends four to 10 hours a week producing episodes that cover everything from social issues like gender equality, to spirited food debates, all delivered in Tanglish – a mix of English and Tamil. One of Vada Poche's co-founders is Mr Yuvaraj Uthaman, a marketing manager at an international business school, based in Singapore. Like Mr Sharif, the 32-year-old is navigating fatherhood, caregiving duties, career growth and passion-driven pursuits. With an avid interest in personal training (PT) and working out since his polytechnic days, Mr Yuvaraj decided to earn an American Certification in Exercise in 2022 to take on freelance PT jobs. Fellow Vada Poche co-host and new father Yuvaraj Uthaman is also finding his rhythm, as he balances familial duties, career growth and personal ambitions. PHOTO: COURTESY OF YUVARAJ UTHAMAN He used his SkillsFuture Credit to offset over 60 per cent of the fees for the three-month course, forking out only a couple of hundred dollars. Although he paused freelance work when his son was born, he hopes to return to it in the future. 'My challenge is juggling everything, from being a good caregiver to my wife and nine-month-old son to working in a fast-paced job, and finding time for our podcast,' he says. 'The moment I found out we were expecting, I knew I had to earn this much and do this much by the due date.' To help manage his concerns, Mr Yuvaraj tapped on the migrant domestic worker levy concession , which provides a monthly subsidy of $240 for Singaporean families with children under 16, allowing them to pay a concessionary rate of only $60 monthly. This concession also applies if an eligible elderly person or someone with disabilities lives in the same home. He gets to work from home on certain days, and his wife starts her job at a tuition centre only in the late afternoon. With an extra hand to assist with household chores, the couple gets to spend more time with their young son at home. Knowing their parents are taken care of While the two long-time friends, who first got to know each other at their polytechnic gym, do not live with their parents, both are mindful of their responsibilities as sons – a familiar tension for many in the sandwiched generation. Mr Sharif made the decision to purchase a flat in Ubi, close to his parents in MacPherson. His 61-year-old father is in the logistics industry and his 54-year-old mother gives pro-bono tuition in Tamil. 'They are both able-bodied but staying near them lets me run errands for them easily, like buying groceries or their favourite food,' he says. For families opting to buy a resale flat to live with or near their parents or child, there is the HDB Proximity Housing Grant , which offers up to $30,000. Juggling work and fatherhood, Mr Sharif is thankful to live close enough to help out with his father (far right) and mother (centre), and stay connected as a family. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SYED SHARIF His parents also enjoy savings for medical and dental care with their orange Chas cards at neighbourhood clinics, which relieves some of the pressures associated with medical expenses in their senior years. Besides his parents, Mr Sharif also lives just across the road from his in-laws, making it easy for the family to have regular meals with them. His in-laws, in turn, occasionally help with minding Mr Sharif's son when he and his wife need to run errands. Mr Yuvaraj's mother, a 69-year-old retired teacher, lives with his sister but the siblings take turns to bring her for hospital check-ups for her rheumatism. Two years ago, she also had a knee replacement surgery which was partially covered by her MediSave. She also benefited from the one-time MediSave bonus under the Majulah Package , which provides eligible seniors up to $2,000 in their CPF MediSave Account. Although Mr Yuvaraj's mother enjoys cooking, there are days when her rheumatism flares up so badly that she is not able to prepare meals. That is when CDC vouchers come in handy, as she can spend them on hawker food. Says Mr Yuvaraj: 'These help to alleviate rising food costs and are so convenient to use.' Mr Sharif agrees: 'My parents look forward to initiatives like these because they like to know that they are being taken care of. 'I feel a sense of assurance that there's a little extra help on the financial side. I'd like them to lead a comfortable life without having to over-worry about the basic cost of living.' Discover how Forward Singapore schemes and programmes can help support Singaporeans at every stage of life. In partnership with
Straits Times
25-07-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Singapore Poly club members sign on to engage deaf community
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The TL;DR: Students in Singapore Polytechnic's sign language CCA attend weekly lessons and participate in local community service events with the deaf community. Singapore Polytechnic's sign language club members after the annual SIGNature performance, which involves the performing of songs using sign language, in 2024. SINGAPORE – Miss Kua Ying En was working as a dental assistant in 2023 when she first encountered a deaf person. Upon realising that the patient could not hear, Miss Kua and the clinic staff – from the nurse, to the dentist – communicated with her via pen and paper. However, the process was slow-going. The incident stuck with her, and when the chance to join a co-curricular activity (CCA) in Singapore Polytechnic (SP) arose, the sign language club was her first choice. Learning sign language was important, she felt, to be inclusive. 'Texting and writing can really slow things down. It might not be a big issue in casual situations, but what if there's an emergency and they need help immediately?' Two years on, the 20-year-old banking and finance student is club president, and can sign complete sentences and hold non-verbal conversations. SP's club has been guided by coach Pet Tan, since it was founded in 2012. Ms Tan, who is hearing, has volunteered with The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) for more than 27 years. She said that most students join out of interest and have almost no background knowledge, while a handful 'might have learnt a little' from lessons with SADeaf, online, or through friends. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Asia 'Nothing like this has happened before': At least 16 dead as Thai-Cambodian conflict enters second day Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Nonetheless, all members start at the basic stage – where they first pick up signing the alphabet, numbers, as well as common everyday words – before moving up to the intermediate and advanced levels. Learning sign language is 'not structured exactly like foreign language modules', she said. 'But just like learning a (spoken) language, you need to understand the dos and don'ts, misconceptions, and appropriate and inappropriate terms.' The club mainly uses Signing Exact English, which follows English grammar and word order, in their CCA sessions. Members who advance further may also use Singapore Sign Language, which is used by the deaf community in Singapore and has its own grammar and structure. Members of the club learn sign language weekly and also take part in local community service events, where they interact with the deaf community up to five times in an academic year. A typical CCA session begins with an icebreaker, followed by a segment on Deaf culture, Singapore Sign Language lesson, and an interactive activity that encourages the members to make friends while practising signs. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC'S SIGN LANGUAGE CLUB Currently, 50 to 60 members regularly attend the two-and-a-half-hour basic stage lessons every Wednesday. Intermediate sessions are held after, with about 30 students at this level. Up to 12 student instructors, Ms Kua included, take turns to conduct the CCA sessions. They are supervised by Ms Tan, who teaches the advanced group – which has six students – on Tuesdays. At the end of the basic and intermediate levels, students keen on advancing sit for a test where they are assessed on their reading and signing skills in finger spelling and vocabulary. A question-and-answer session is sometimes included. Only after attaining a passing score can the members move up to the next level. Though the certificates given upon passing each level are not formal certifications, they acknowledge participation and proficiency within the CCA context, said Ms Tan. Meanwhile, advanced students, who are usually in their final year of polytechnic, are evaluated on their ability to interpret signs into written sentences, and voice to signs. These students learn how to communicate with the deaf and interpret for them. Among them is Ms Yue En Qi, a third-year applied artificial intelligence & analytics student who joined SP's sign language club in 2023. Her initial interactions with the deaf community – before she learnt more advanced sign language – left her frustrated at herself, the 19-year-old recalled. Feeling that she did not know enough signs to hold a conversation spurred her to improve her sign language proficiency. This year, she hit her 'biggest personal milestone' during a Chinese New Year event organised by the sign language club, guiding deaf participants on how to cook food like Chinese rice balls and rice cakes. Ms Yue added: 'I could sign to them without a script, unlike the very first time, and finally have more open conversations with them.' Second-year media, arts & design student Fin Loh, is also at the advanced level. The 22-year-old, who attended her first basic stage lesson in May 2023, said her biggest challenge is understanding what other people sign. 'The grammatical structure and expressions that we use when practising are familiar and specific to this group, and it takes more interaction with other people signing to be able to understand when they sign with different structures.' Outside of CCA sessions, she and her sign language club friends practised by finger spelling 'random words' found in MRT advertisements during their journeys home from school. 'Eventually, as we learnt more vocabulary, we could have whole conversations on the MRT without disrupting anyone because we're not making any noise!' In the future, she aims to be an interpreter working with teachers, children and parents. Education 'has opened up many doors for me', she said, adding: 'I believe all children deserve the same access to education and support in their growth.'
CNA
19-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
From classroom to control systems: An educator's journey into engineering
A missed job opportunity didn't discourage Ms Ong Ai Lian – it motivated her. Back in 2018, Ms Ong, formerly a design and technology educator, began her journey of reskilling. She enrolled in two specialist diplomas consecutively – one in business and big data analytics, and the other in advanced networking. Her growing interest in Industry 4.0 technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data sparked this change. With new knowledge under her belt, she landed a role as a project engineer in the communications and networks group at a local polytechnic's engineering school. There, she found inspiration watching lecturers work on electronics and robotics projects. When her contract ended, she applied for a role that required Python programming and experience with the Robot Operating System – but didn't get it. Undeterred, Ms Ong took the setback as a sign to keep learning. In 2022, she enrolled in the part-time Diploma in Engineering (Control and Automation) at Singapore Polytechnic. Singapore Polytechnic offers over 500 continuing education and training courses in high-demand areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, data analytics and engineering – empowering professionals like Ms Ong to shape their careers. Ms Ong considered several courses before choosing the Diploma in Engineering (Control and Automation). What stood out for her was the course's strong foundation in analogue and digital electronics, control systems, robotics and smart sensors – all key technologies driving Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation of manufacturing. She was also drawn to its hands-on learning approach and Singapore Polytechnic's reputation for academic excellence. 'The quality of teaching was excellent,' said Ms Ong. 'The lecturers demonstrated strong subject expertise and our projects challenged us to develop real-world applications.' Coming from a non-manufacturing background, Ms Ong initially struggled with unfamiliar industrial equipment. But with support from her classmates and lecturers, she was able to keep up. As a former educator herself, she appreciated how the lecturers went the extra mile to help students fully understand the material. One example she highlighted was Dr Yang Zhizong, who taught digital manufacturing. Drawing from his industry experience, he showed how classroom concepts applied in real-world settings. Another was Ms Lu Hongli, who taught smart sensors and actuators. Ms Lu used creative teaching methods, such as explaining filter circuits using electrocardiogram (ECG) signals as an analogy. 'Instead of just telling us which frequencies were passed or blocked, she used the ECG example to show how three different filters – low-, high- and band-pass – could each improve signal quality in different ways,' explained Ms Ong. She also recalled Mr Clement Chew, who taught the AI for Automation module. He created additional video tutorials with clear instructions to help students prepare for tests. When some students had trouble installing the required software for a lab test, Mr Chew even organised an extra Zoom session – outside class hours – together with another lecturer to troubleshoot their computer settings. Ms Ong found one of the most rewarding parts of her learning journey to be the diverse mix of classmates she met along the way. Her peers came from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds – holding qualifications from NITEC and diplomas to degrees and even a doctorate – and working across fields like research, engineering and manufacturing. 'It was an interesting mix. Everyone had their own strengths – some were better at hands-on tasks and working with equipment, while others excelled at understanding theory,' she noted. Collaborating with her teammates on projects gave her fresh perspectives and the opportunity to tap into a rich pool of skills. One teammate, a PhD holder in the bioscience industry, brought sharp research and critical thinking abilities. Another, a chemical engineer, provided practical knowledge about processing equipment such as valves and pumps. 'Each of us contributed our own expertise to make the projects a success,' shared Ms Ong. Her own background in teaching proved useful, too – especially when studying for semester tests. She often helped classmates by explaining concepts in simpler terms, using peer teaching techniques to reinforce learning. 'After reviewing the material, I'd teach it to a classmate. Once they understood, they would explain it to someone else. It helped us all deepen our understanding,' she explained. She also used teaching techniques like mnemonics to help a classmate remember equations. 'That experience reminded me how important it is to find the right way to communicate ideas to different learners,' she said. Having attained her Diploma in Engineering (Control and Automation), Ms Ong hopes to apply her enhanced skills to create smart, sustainable and automated solutions in fields like healthcare and logistics. She's also grateful to her classmates, some of whom have even shared job opportunities with her. Looking ahead, Ms Ong plans to further her education at the degree level. Students from this diploma programme are eligible for credit exemptions when applying to the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electrical Power Engineering at the Singapore Institute of Technology – making it easier to continue studying while working. 'I believe in lifelong learning,' said Ms Ong. 'Balancing work, studies and personal life can be tough, but it's doable – and definitely worthwhile. It keeps you relevant, builds resilience and helps you adapt in a fast-changing world.'
