Republic Polytechnic

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The first educational institution in Singapore to leverage the Problem-based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic (RP) has seven schools and one academic centre offering 41 full-time diplomas in Applied Science, Engineering, Business, Hospitality, Infocomm, Sports and Health, and Technology for Arts, Media and Design. RP is committed to nurturing professionals wit

h strong problem-solving capabilities through an innovative and entrepreneurial learning environment, based on a holistic and industry-relevant curriculum. RP's Academy for Continuing Education also offers a comprehensive suite of lifelong learning programmes to provide adult learners with skills upgrading opportunities. RP reserves the right to remove any offensive or inappropriate comments. This includes advertisements, nudity and other offensive media, vulgarities and socio-politically offensive comments, Defamatory remarks, personal attacks or negative comments by the same account.

From the classroom to the international stage, our students and alumni have come a long way. And now, it's time to shine...
04/09/2026

From the classroom to the international stage, our students and alumni have come a long way. And now, it's time to shine 🌟

We are proudly cheering on Arfan Amirun, Charmaine Lee, Shafriel Nur Iman, and alumna Nur Fatimah, as they get ready to represent Team Singapore at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. From Hotel Reception and Restaurant Service to Rail Vehicle Technology and Unmanned Aerial Systems, they are giving their all across four skill categories. 🏆

Behind every competitor is our team of coaches who believed in them and pushed them further than they thought possible. A huge shoutout to Khairul Anshar, Khairul Rusydi, Suhaila Ismail, and Yenny Zein for the hours of guidance, grit, and dedication that got them here. 🤝

At the Send-off Ceremony, our Principal & CEO, Ms Jeanne Liew, was there to cheer them on, celebrating how far they have come and how much further they will go. 💚

Let’s go, and Singapore! 💪🇸🇬

Learn more about RP’s participation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 at www.rp.edu.sg/news/highlights/worldskills.

For Tzang Merwyn Tong, finalist for the President’s Award for Teachers 2026, teaching storytelling isn’t just about help...
04/09/2026

For Tzang Merwyn Tong, finalist for the President’s Award for Teachers 2026, teaching storytelling isn’t just about helping students make better films. It’s about giving them the confidence to find their own voice.

Tzang is an independent filmmaker and educator who teaches Visual Storytelling and Film Appreciation at Republic Polytechnic School of Technology for Arts, Media and Design. Through his modules, he encourages students to use film as a tool for social impact, and creates a safe space for them to explore social and cultural issues.

“I hope to instil the same sense of discovery I had, learning through practice, experience and reflection,” says Tzang, a self-taught filmmaker.

Beyond the classroom, Tzang started First Shot(s) Festival, a student-run platform helping first-time filmmakers from STA build confidence and showcase their work.

The initiative grew into First Shot(s) X-Change, a film collaboration platform bringing together students from Singapore and across Asia to co-create films, share perspectives and learn from one another. Their work was later screened at the Goethe-Institut Singapore as part of FFIGS, a fringe programme of the Singapore International Film Festival - SGIFF 2025.

Tzang is also passionate about using storytelling to spark conversations around mental wellness. This led him to co-found Holding Space, a youth mental wellness advocacy campaign, with Aaron Chen Angus, a colleague from Republic Polytechnic School of Sports and Health - RP SSH. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Health, Singapore.

The campaign culminated in the Holding Space Festival, a campus-wide event that brought together arts, music and sport to encourage more open conversations about mental wellness.

After watching some of his former students suffer creative burnout in the industry, Tzang began exploring how mindfulness could be built into film education. This work became part of his MA in Arts Pedagogy and Practice at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The Centre for Mindfulness - Singapore endorsed his approach. CEO Dr Kathirasan K. recognised its potential to support creative wellbeing and prevent burnout. Building on this work, Tzang is now partnering with Dr Kathirasan to co-design a film-based mindfulness programme. It uses reflective film viewing to support secondary school students experiencing digital overstimulation.

Tzang helps students find the confidence to tell their stories. He creates space for meaningful conversations and uses film to support wellbeing. In doing so, he shows how storytelling can create far beyond the screen.

Congratulations, Tzang, on being a finalist for the President’s Award for Teachers 2026!

That's what Becoming , Together means.

At four years old, Dr Heng Kiang Soon lost sight in one eye. Growing up, that meant daily struggles with hand-eye coordi...
04/09/2026

At four years old, Dr Heng Kiang Soon lost sight in one eye. Growing up, that meant daily struggles with hand-eye coordination, constant teasing, and a learning environment that did not make space for what he was going through. He never forgot what that felt like.

“Emotional and relational dimensions of learning are just as important as the knowledge and skills we teach,” says Dr Heng, Specialist (Food Innovation) at Republic Polytechnic School of Applied Science - RP SAS and Finalist for the President's Award for Teachers 2026. “It's not just the better-performing students who should do well. Every student deserves a chance to succeed.”

That belief shows up in the way he mentors. When a Part-Time Diploma student came to him struggling with self-esteem issues, he stayed by her side. She went on to publish her own book, launch a podcast, and start a healthy food business.

It also shows up in how he prepares students for the real world. His Okara Soy Cheese took four years of optimisation and engagement before SoiLabs finally licensed it in 2022. Knowing how hard it is to bridge the lab-to-industry gap, he set up a Short-Term Work Attachment programme that brings students into the agrifood industry from as early as Year 1. So far, 14 students have completed it. 🔬

“Diploma students are not less capable. They just need the right environment and support,” says Dr Heng. “When they work with industry early, they see the impact of what they have learnt, and industry sees them as professionals who are ready to contribute.”

Beyond the classroom, Dr Heng has spent years turning okara into something the world has not seen before: fourteen products, four Intellectual Properties, and the world's first okara biostimulant, now used by farmers in seven Asia-Pacific countries, including the United States.

Thank you, Dr Heng, for creating for students and the agrifood industry! Your dedication will continue to inspire the next generation of food innovators. 👨‍🏫

That's what Becoming , Together means.

03/09/2026

We turned our lecturers into the age of how many years they’ve worked at RP.

Here’s a look at how far they’ve come! 👶

This Teachers’ Day, a big thank you to all our lecturers for the years you’ve spent teaching, guiding and helping generations of RP students become . 💚🖤

What if the buildings of tomorrow could be built from yesterday’s waste? ♻️At BEX Asia 2026, RP researchers showcased ma...
03/09/2026

What if the buildings of tomorrow could be built from yesterday’s waste? ♻️

At BEX Asia 2026, RP researchers showcased market-ready innovations for a more sustainable built environment, from turning waste materials into concrete to developing coatings that reduce heat absorption.

Among the innovations showcased were:

🔹 Development of Lightweight Concrete with Recycled Materials

A sustainable concrete formulation using Recycled Glass Powder and Rice Husk Ash to partially replace some conventional materials in lightweight and geopolymer concrete.

🔹 Greener Concrete Hybrid Reinforcement of Low-Carbon Material with Mineral Wool and Plastic Fibers

A technology that converts waste mineral wool into Mineral Wool Aggregates for use in concrete, supporting a more circular approach to construction.

🔹 Ultra-Thin, Customisable Coating for Passive Cooling

An energy-efficient coating that reduces heat absorption on surfaces. It could cut reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems.

At RP, we believe sustainability, innovation and the built environment can go hand in hand. From rethinking waste to exploring more energy-efficient materials, RP researchers are creating by tackling real-world challenges in the built environment.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.rp.edu.sg/industry/solutions/

“With this award and recognition, I hope to inspire future generations of students to lead a healthy lifestyle and culti...
02/09/2026

“With this award and recognition, I hope to inspire future generations of students to lead a healthy lifestyle and cultivate their love for sports,” says Lee Ming Jie, recipient of the Ministry of Education, Singapore Teaching Award at the recent MOE Scholarship Ceremony 2026.

The Hillgrove Secondary School alumnus has always been passionate about sports, and interested in how exercise, training and human performance can affect individuals’ health and wellness.
Ming Jie liked the focus on sports education and hands-on learning in RP’s Diploma in Sport Coaching (DSC). He applied for the course through the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE).

At Republic Polytechnic School of Sports and Health - RP SSH, Ming Jie built a strong foundation in sports and health-related knowledge. He also developed skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving, which he put into practice during his internship at Henry Park Primary School.

There, he worked as an Assistant PE Teacher and saw firsthand what the job involved. More importantly, it strengthened his passion for teaching.

“Working with students with different physical abilities and learning needs taught me to be more patient, communicate effectively, and adapt my teaching approach to help each student learn and participate,” he says.

After graduating from RP, Ming Jie joined the National Institute of Education (NIE) to pursue his goal of becoming a Physical Education teacher. For him, this is part of his : helping young people discover the joy of sports, build healthy habits and grow in confidence.

Proud to share that 10 of our students and alumni were recognised at the Special Awards Presentation Ceremony 2026, orga...
01/09/2026

Proud to share that 10 of our students and alumni were recognised at the Special Awards Presentation Ceremony 2026, organised by the Ministry of Education, Singapore. 👏

A special mention goes to Republic Polytechnic School of Applied Science - RP SAS alumnus Faiq Faran, who received the Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement — a prestigious honour awarded to just one polytechnic student each year. He is also the first RP student in recent years to receive the award. Seeing him on that stage was a proud moment for the entire RP community. 🏆

“This award is a reminder of how far saying 'yes' to opportunities took me,” says Faiq. “To current RP students — always say yes. Every opportunity, big or small, can shape you into the person you're meant to become.”

Four — Amelia Michelle Jonaidy, Sam Pei Yi, Samuel Lee, and Tan Hock Yang — received the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science for their outstanding achievements in these fields. 🔬

Five current students and alumni received the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship to Encourage Upgrading — Jorene Lee, Muhammad Danish Hakim, Nur Hindriyani Mokthar, Sakthivel Murthi, and Teng Huey Ying. Muhammad Danish Hakim also received the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Book Prize during his time at ITE College West, awarded to the outstanding ITE upgrader among the scholarship recipients. He's now a Year 1 student at Republic Polytechnic School of Sports and Health - RP SSH. His story shows what's possible when you keep showing up for yourself. 🎓

“Every day is a learning opportunity,” says Danish. “Receiving this award showed me my efforts were paying off, and it motivated me to keep improving. My advice to fellow students: believe in yourself, keep going, and you'll be surprised by what you can achieve.”

Congratulations to all ten recipients! Your achievements show that hard work, resilience, and a heart for growth can open the door to . RP is proud of every one of you. 🙌

“Once I start teaching, I hope to create the same positive experiences that my Physical Education (PE) teachers gave me ...
31/08/2026

“Once I start teaching, I hope to create the same positive experiences that my Physical Education (PE) teachers gave me when I was growing up,” says Republic Polytechnic School of Sports and Health - RP SSH alumna Phoebe Lim. “I want my students to enjoy being active, feel confident trying new things, and understand why physical activity matters.” 🏃‍♀️

It's a goal she has worked towards for years — and the results speak for themselves. At her recent Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Convocation, Phoebe graduated as one of the top students of the Bachelor of Science in Sport Science & Management, receiving both the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and the Dr Quek Jin Jong Book Prize in Sport Science. 🏅

Her journey started at RP, where a love for sports and curiosity about the science behind human performance led her to the Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science. What surprised her, and many others, was how science-heavy the course actually was. 🔍

“People are often surprised to find out that we seldom play sports,” says the Greendale Secondary School alumna, who joined RP through the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE). “The course covers anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition and psychology — giving us a much deeper appreciation of how the human body works.” 💪

Those foundations carried her far. At NTU, she drew on the independent learning, communication skills, and critical thinking she'd built at RP. They helped her juggle her studies, handball training, and leadership roles in various clubs and societies. 🤝

“I did not expect my time at RP to shape me in so many ways beyond academics,” Phoebe reflects.

Phoebe is now serving her untrained teaching stint as a PE teacher — one step closer to her dream. Next year, she will join the National Institute of Education (NIE) to train formally as a teacher. We cannot wait to see the impact she makes in the classroom. 🌟

At RP, students pair passion with practice through the Designing Your Life framework. It helps them find their and shape a learning journey that is truly their own. Learn more at www.rp.edu.sg/designing-your-learning (http://www.rp.edu.sg/designing-your-learning). 🎯

Last night, the drums hit differently. 🥁💚 Under the lights at Singapore Management University's Campus Green, RP’s Beats...
29/08/2026

Last night, the drums hit differently. 🥁💚 Under the lights at Singapore Management University's Campus Green, RP’s Beats Encore played their hearts out at BEATIFIC 2026, part of the SMU Arts Festival line-up supporting the Singapore Night Festival.

And this was a special stage to be on.

Beats Encore was invited as one of nine leading percussion groups to perform at the festival- and was the only polytechnic Interest Group in the line-up.

turned up in force too. Students, Republic Polytechnic Alumni, families and friends packed the crowd- and became one of the rowdiest sections of the night. 😄💚

There was plenty to cheer for. For our performers, it was a chance to step beyond campus. To share the stage with fellow percussionists. To feel the energy of a live crowd. And to see where years of practice, friendship and courage can take them.

Since 2006, Beats Encore has brought Brazilian Batucada rhythms to RP and beyond, performing at festivals, productions and major RP events. But nights like this are about more than performance. They are about discovering a little more of who you can become. That’s Becoming - one beat at a time. 🥁

What if food waste became premium Peranakan canapés, sliders, and tartlets? At the Sustainable Future Food Challenge, or...
29/08/2026

What if food waste became premium Peranakan canapés, sliders, and tartlets? At the Sustainable Future Food Challenge, organised in partnership with Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association - SFMA, a team of students from Republic Polytechnic School of Applied Science - RP SAS and Republic Polytechnic School of Hospitality - RP SOH did exactly that. 😋

Ng Cheng Han, Ungku Mohamed Hasif, Xavier Tay, and Zion Lau from the Diploma in Biological Sciences joined forces with Lam Kah Enn and Jihan Ramli from the Diploma in Restaurant & Culinary Management. Together, they turned their Final Year Project (FYP) into a winning solution, combining food science expertise with culinary flair. 🤝🏻

The team partnered Chilli Api Catering Pte Ltd to turn food preparation by-products into premium, sustainable food products. They crafted these from upcycled kitchen scraps, including chicken and vegetable trimmings and bread crusts, without compromising on taste, quality, or Peranakan identity. ♻️

“Food product development isn't just about creating something that tastes and looks good,” Jihan Ramli says. “We also need to make sure it can be produced consistently, efficiently, and practically in a real food-service environment.” 💡

Over four months of research and development, the team went through multiple rounds of food formulation, sensory evaluations, and feedback sessions with Chilli Api. They swapped cooking methods. They adjusted portion formats. Every tweak brought them one step closer to something that worked not just on a plate, but in a real catering kitchen. 🔎

“Winning first place showed that the time, effort, and dedication we put in had paid off,” Ungku Mohamed Hasif reflects. “We could not have done this without one another and the lecturers behind us.” 🏆

This cross-school collaboration between SAS and SOH shows how RP creates through interdisciplinary teamwork. See how RP helps students push boundaries 👉 www.rp.edu.sg/about-us/why-rp/.

27/08/2026

August is a month of double celebrations — it’s not just Singapore’s birthday, it’s RP’s birthday too! 🎉

As we turn 24 this year, we ask our students to reflect on with two simple questions: How would you describe RP as a friend, and which meme best captures our spirit? 🎬

Leave your birthday wishes for RP in the comments below, and we'll see you next year for ! 👀👇

Despite coming from a disadvantaged family, Republic Polytechnic School of Sports and Health - RP SSH graduate Presslee ...
26/08/2026

Despite coming from a disadvantaged family, Republic Polytechnic School of Sports and Health - RP SSH graduate Presslee Chng believes in the power of education and resilience to transform his life, and the lives of others.

Presslee is one of four RP alumni who recently received the Teaching Award at the Ministry of Education, Singapore Scholarship Ceremony 2026. While he graduated among the top students of the Class of 2024, his educational journey wasn’t always a smooth one.

At seven, Presslee had to drop out of primary school and began working at 14 to help ease his family’s financial burden. He was also ridiculed for his lack of education, which motivated him to return to school after nearly a decade away from formal education.

From NorthLight School (Official), he went on to enrol at ITE College West, before securing a spot in RP’s Diploma in Health Management & Promotion (now known as Sports & Health). Along the way, he discovered a passion for healthcare and continued to push himself academically, earning the Lee Foundation Scholarship and Tan Eng Yoon Endowment Scholarship.

After graduating from RP, Presslee went on to National Institute of Education (NIE)’s Teaching Scholars Programme, where he pursued his dream of becoming a Physical Education teacher.

Now, Presslee hopes to pay it forward by drawing on his own experiences to inspire his future students: “I hope that by sharing my stories and life experiences, I can help my future students become more resilient and better equipped to face life’s many challenges.”

From a student who once had to step away from education to a future educator, Presslee’s journey is a powerful reminder of how education can open doors and empower us to create a .

Cover photo credit: Desmond Lee

“To be able to see the Singapore flag during the medal ceremony was quite an emotional moment for me,” shares Team Singa...
25/08/2026

“To be able to see the Singapore flag during the medal ceremony was quite an emotional moment for me,” shares Team Singapore gymnast Amanda Yap, who is pursuing a Diploma in Business through RP's athlete-friendly through-train programme with Singapore Sports School. 🇸🇬

Before turning 17, Amanda clinched a silver medal in the women's balance beam final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming only the fourth Singaporean gymnast to win a medal at the quadrennial event. Competing against three world championship medallists, she posted a score of 13.233 points at her Commonwealth Games debut.

“Rather than trying to think too much about the beam, I really tried to enjoy and take the experience in,” shares the Republic Polytechnic School of Business - RP SBZ student. “It was a really fun experience competing against top gymnasts.”

Amanda's journey into gymnastics began simply enough — watching her elder sister train and compete, then imitating the moves at home. That curiosity grew into . In 2025, she became the first Singaporean to qualify for a final at a world championship in her first year as a senior, while sitting her O-level examinations. In the same year, she was also named the inaugural Straits Times Young Singaporean of the Year.

“I'm very grateful for the support I've gotten from both schools to help strike a balance between sports and academics,” says the Methodist Girls' School alumna, who joined RP through the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE). “My advice to student-athletes would be to keep going as long as you love what you do. There will be good and bad days — don't let setbacks get you down!”

Congratulations, Amanda! Singapore and RP are proud of you. 🥈

Photo credits: SpexSG/ Andy Chua

Last night, as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong brought his to a close, there was a familiar face and a story very close t...
24/08/2026

Last night, as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong brought his to a close, there was a familiar face and a story very close to our hearts- 💚Sheila Khoo.

Her journey was never a straightforward one. Bullied in school, Sheila dropped out of secondary school twice and polytechnic once. For years, even everyday social interactions felt daunting. But she kept finding her way forward.

An interest in Japanese led to translation work. Small successes rebuilt her confidence. And three years ago, Sheila decided to give education another chance- this time with us at RP.

What followed was quite remarkable. Sheila found friends. She found lecturers who believed in her. She pushed herself beyond what she thought she was capable of, and began helping others along the way.

In many ways, her journey reflects what Becoming is about- not becoming someone else, but discovering more of what we are capable of, with the support of people who believe in us.

This May, Sheila graduated with a perfect GPA as valedictorian of Republic Polytechnic School of Infocomm - RP SOI. Soon, she will begin another chapter at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, studying Computer Science (College of Computing and Data Science) on a full scholarship.

So when PM Wong chose Sheila's story as one of those to close his Rally, we could not have been prouder. He spoke of the Singapore spirit as “the belief that where we start need not determine how far we can go.” Sheila's journey embodies that beautifully.

But perhaps what moves us most is something Sheila once told us herself: she hopes to return to RP one day as a lecturer, so that she can pass on the same care and encouragement she received here.

That, to us, is 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗠𝗲, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿- growing into more of who we can be, and then helping others do the same.

Sheila, thank you for reminding all of us what is possible when we keep going- and when there are people willing to walk alongside us.

We are incredibly proud to have been part of your journey. 💚

Watch the National Day Rally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wluee30Ly0w

Some love stories begin with a hello. This one began with chance encounters at the RP Library. ❤️Congratulations to Mu...
21/08/2026

Some love stories begin with a hello. This one began with chance encounters at the RP Library. ❤️

Congratulations to Muhammad Arsyad and Fatin Afiqah, who recently tied the knot. They returned to RP for their wedding photoshoot, revisiting the campus where casual conversations at the library turned into lunch dates, and eventually, a love story. ❤️

The couple first met through a common friend. Arsyad was from Republic Polytechnic School of Engineering - RP SEG and Republic Polytechnic Adventure Learning Club, while Fatin was from Republic Polytechnic School of Applied Science - RP SAS and RP Selatra.

“At first, I didn’t really want to get to know her… but somehow, we kept crossing paths and bumping into each other at the library. That was when I started a conversation with her,” Arsyad said. “We also tried to keep our relationship lowkey back then, so we spent most of our lunch dates at W5 and the Lawn Canteen.”

For Fatin, now a Technical Support Officer with RP SAS, coming back to RP for their wedding photoshoot felt especially meaningful.

Congratulations to the happy couple! Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and making new memories together.

More Singaporeans are returning to the classroom later in life, and not always because they have to.A recent Channel 8 f...
21/08/2026

More Singaporeans are returning to the classroom later in life, and not always because they have to.

A recent Channel 8 feature highlighted the growing number of middle-aged Singaporeans returning to school, whether to stay relevant at work or pursue long-held interests and dreams. At RP, we are seeing this shift too.

Between 2022 and 2025, the number of middle-aged learners at RP grew by 160%. The number of learners aged 60 and above increased by 300%.

One such learner is Roxanne Tan, 55, who returned to the classroom at 50 while working, and has since completed three professional diplomas. Her latest, a Specialist Diploma in Beauty & Personal Care Products at RP, let her turn a long-standing interest into a new area of study.

Leslie Sim, Acting Director of Republic Polytechnic Academy for Continuing Education - RP ACE, says there are often both “push” and “pull” factors behind the decision to return to school.

For some, it is about staying relevant in a rapidly changing workplace, as digitalisation, automation and AI reshape jobs and industries. For others, it is more personal: fulfilling a long-held dream, pursuing a passion, or exploring what the next chapter could look like.

And perhaps that is what makes lifelong learning so meaningful. It is not simply about keeping up with change. It is about continuing to grow, at any age.

At RP, we see how different generations learn from one another. Older learners bring experience and perspective. Younger learners bring fresh ideas and technological fluency.

The next chapter does not have to wait for the “right” age. Sometimes, it starts with simply deciding to learn something new.

Explore RP’s Part-Time and Specialist Diplomas in our October intake: https://www.rp.edu.sg/lifelong-learning/october-intake/

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