dREam Everything starts from a dream
The
Graduates are Back! Adventurous RP Alumni Down Under The All Rounder 10 Tips for an Impressive Resume From Diploma to Degree!
Alumni Magazine | Issue 20 | September 2011
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Contents 2
Editor’s Note
3
The Graduates Are Back!
4
Snapshots: IGNITE! Music Festival 2011
6
Adventurous RP Alumni Down Under
8
Standing Out From The Crowd
10
The All Rounder
11
Hollywood: A Night to Remember
12
Sports Excellence Awards - Glitz 2011
14
10 Tips for an Impressive Resume
16
Calendar of Events
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From Diploma to Degree
Publisher Office of Student and Graduate Affairs Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964 Editorial Editor Graduate Services Team Artwork Zhang Miao Contributors Bob Tan Dex Wong Fazilah A Latiff Jasmine Heng John Ivan Martinez Larin Maya Murni
Nurhadi Khan Qayyum Mohamed Rodney Wong Sylvester Ashbir Singh Tan Fong Ling Teo Xing Zhi
General Enquires Email dream@rp.edu.sg URL www.rp.edu.sg/grad dREam. An RP Alumni Magazine. Everything starts from a dream. dREam is a quarterly publication to keep graduates informed about the happenings in RP, continual education, career opportunities, networking sessions and more, in the hope of achieving their aspirations. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in dREam are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
editorial | dREam |
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Congratulations! RP alumni awarded with distinction in SIM-RMIT programmes • Yeo An Qi (SIT Graduate of 2007) • Kuah Sue-Lynn (STA Graduate of 2008) • Nor Azleen Binte Suhardjono (CCC Graduate of 2010) • Liao Weijie (SIT Graduate of 2007) • Ong Kai Liang (SIT Graduate of 2007) • Yeo Chye Guan (SIT Graduate of 2006)
Editor’s Note I
t has been an exciting journey presenting you with the past issues of dREam … and here we are, with our 20th issue!
As the saying goes, persevere and you will succeed! Read about RP’s very own Alumni Band and Pro-Tem Committee Members who managed to pull through despite the many challenges that they faced, both before and during their participation in this year’s IGNITE event. RP graduates shine in their own unique ways. Two of our graduates have set up base in Melbourne, Australia, while another three graduates have done RP proud in their respective fields. Another alumnus has been heavily involved in one of our IGs, helping IG students clinch many awards. For those who will be involved in this year’s Graduate Employment Survey, look out for our email and letter sometime in October, which will invite you to participate in the survey. There are very attractive prizes, like iPad & iPhone, to be won in the survey! Have you noticed the change in the RP logo? No, the outline of the shield and bolder font are not an optical illusion, they are actually part of the enhanced branding strategy that RP has recently undergone. To find out more about this enhanced branding, stay tuned and read a special article in the next issue of dREam!
To all our Muslim readers,
Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri!
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Article by Teo Xing Zhi Graduate of 2011
W
hen we say “IGNITE 2011”, you’d probably be thinking of flashing lights, booming music and lots of screaming.
For a group of graduates from Club Republic (the Protem Committee Members), however, IGNITE 2011 meant planning. Lots of planning. Club Republic set up a dunking booth at IGNITE 2011. Well, it was a dunking booth as well as an instant photography booth, but dunking’s just so much more interesting, don’t you think? Through email exchanges and various meetings, the graduates working on this project were able to sort out the details to the booth. Where to get a dunking machine, who to dunk, what to charge… everything was meticulously planned. They were busy with their post-graduate life, but everyone was happy to take some time out to contribute to RP’s event. The result wasn’t exactly as planned. To put it simply, in the words of one of the organizers: “Would you rather watch the performance on stage or stand and dunk people?” Since it’s a music festival, you kind of get the idea. The Club Republic committee members, however, weren’t discouraged. “Choice defines thee, consequences are but a result,” quotes committee member Ethan Lee. “We made a choice to go through with the idea. However good or bad the outcome, we have to live with it. Like I always say, just take it as a learning experience and improve ourselves.” That seems to ring true with all of the committee members. Even as you read this, this group of resilient graduates is already planning their next movements. Ideas popping up include recycling projects, helping out in various events, a booth at the 2012 Open House, and even a hint of something regarding the Singapore Book of Records! They will be roping in more RP graduates to participate in their activities; do support them when their events happen. These ex-RPians are certainly showing great spirit. No matter what hits them, they look set to be climbing back up and trudging on their path. Whatever it be said, let it be known that the graduates are back in town … and they’re here to stay!
RP Alumni Band! Article by Sylvester Ashbir Singh Graduate of 2011
The RP Alumni Band was formed specially for IGNITE! Music Festival 2011. All the members of the RP Alumni Band were once active members in Replug Interest Group under Create. Republic. The great people from The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC) invited us back to perform for the music festival this year. We were honoured and humbled that TRCC is still giving us such wonderful opportunities even though we have graduated. It was challenging to prepare for the set as most of us are working or doing National Service. We really had to accommodate each other’s schedules to find time to practice. It was great that we could still use the facilities in TRCC to rehearse for our set. All in all, we had a good time back in RP and we are grateful that we are still welcomed and treated as members of the big RP family. The sense of belonging is still very strong! The RP Alumni Band consists of Wan Nur Fadhillah (CCC), Zaty Safwaty Bte Ramlee (CCC), Dhivya Muthaiah (SAS), Muhammad Nur Ariff (SAS), Sylvester Ashbir Singh (SOH), Iqmal Bin Jumaat (SEG), Muhammad Syahmi Bin Ruzman (SHL) and Syed Abdul Qader Bin Syed (SHL).
| dREam | happenings
The Graduates Are Back!
snapshots | dREam |
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6500, yes
6500 people turned up for IGNITE! Music Festival 2011.
The fans from all over Singapore – From Yishun, Kembangan to Pasir Ris - came for this festival despite the threatening rain.Together, they stood through the crazy and unpredictable weather, from the sweltering sun in the afternoon and the cloudy evening. It proved that they were able to take the weather heads on by turning up for this event in droves.
Everyone had a great time!
Get rewarded for reading dREam
Congratulations
to the winners from the June 2011 issue!
• Goh Ho Yee John SXXXX093H • Cheng Hui Yi SXXXX048C • Thia Jia Lan SXXXX672H
dREam is giving away 3 pairs of
movie passes All you have to do is read the magazine and answer the following question correctly.
How many merchants is Club Republic currently partnering with? To participate, simply email your answer to dREam@ rp.edu.sg with your name, NRIC and Club Republic membership number. Closing date for the contest is 30 September 2011. All winners will be notified by email. Terms and Conditions: • Only Club Republic members qualify to participate in this contest • The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence or claim in relation to the judges’ decision will be entertained
travelogue | dREam |
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Adventurous RP Alumni Down Under Article by Bob Tan, Administrative Associate – Office of Student and Graduate Affairs
d
REam catches up with two adventurous alumni who spend their spare time cooking up a storm at big dinner gatherings and planning road trips and ‘shopping expeditions’. Meet Florina Oo (School of Technology for the Arts, Diploma in New Media class of 2009) and Liu Yingxiu (School of Engineering, Diploma in Industrial and Operations Management class of 2008). They had never met whilst studying in RP, but became fast friends after a chance encounter at a party in Melbourne with a simple series of questions, “Where are you from, where did you study - RP? Ah...!” And the rest as they is, is history.
Florina
Yingxiu
Let’s kick off with a trip down memory lane. Any fond memories of RP to share? Florina: It has to be the final week of every single semester - where classmates gather and have pizza for almost every module, which almost certainly came with its prerequisite class-wide ‘cam-whore’ moments. Yingxiu: In Year 1, I had many fond memories of the campus when it was still at Tanglin. I recall being ‘super’ active in Sports IG events, planning camps especially. In Year 2, it’ll have to be when we started signing up for campus events as a class to complete our CE point requirement! How long have you two been in Australia, and what are you busy with nowadays? Florina: Two years, I am currently busy with my final semester at RMIT. Yingxiu: Two-and-a-half years. I am now finished with school! My time is now spent job hunting, going on road trips, and shopping! Let’s back track even further. What were your dreams growing up, and does taking the leap to study overseas form part of that dream? Florina: I grew up wanting to be a journalist, so I had always been on this track. Studying in
Australia was not part of the initial plan, but as time passed and seeing how competitive the industry is- it became part of the dream. So I am definitely more than happy to study overseas. Yingxiu: I’d have to say that the tourism and hospitality sector was where I thought I would end up. However, my grades back then were insufficient to get me into my first-choice poly and RP was kind to admit me into the Industrial and Operations Management programme. Paradigm shift indeed! After RP I found myself in a situation where getting into a local university was a challenge, so here I am, with my studies complete despite a fair share of challenges. What was life in Singapore like and how has life changed since you moved here? Any challenges adapting to the Aussie way of life? Florina: Life in Singapore was what I would describe as sheltered; everything was extremely well taken care by my parents and family. It has changed a lot since moving to Melbourne. I had learnt practically everything from scratch: cooking, managing my own finances. It isn’t much of a challenge to adapt to the Aussie way of life because life tends to go at a much
7
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ram at the G Yingxiu ark lP Nationa
iu
d Yingx Florina an ds with frien
Florina at the Australia International Motor Show
slower pace compared to Singapore. The weather was a bit difficult to adapt to, after all Melbourne is famous for having four seasons here in a single day! Yingxiu: Apart from the fact that I have more freedom here, nothing has changed much. Being independent has made it easier for me to adapt to the Aussie way of life. In terms of challenges adapting, coming here alone without a bunch of friends was something scary that had to be overcome. And I managed to do that, woohoo! Describe a day in the life at uni here. How is it different from life back in RP? Florina: Uni classes start at about 9:30am with lectures in the earlier part of the day and tutorials in the later half. It is totally different from life back in RP - when everyday starts 8:30am with the various breaks in between and ending at about 4pm. I have room to plan my own timetable so I have control which days I prefer to have classes and when to ‘allocate’ free days. Yingxiu: Uni life in my final semester started typically at 3.30pm and school, and ending latest at 9.30pm. Over here, we have control over our timetables. Since coming here, I have been more hardworking than usual because of the fees we pay for each subject. By factoring that in, I was able to juggle work and play, thus being focused on enjoying the best of both worlds. I understand you two are happiest going about road trips, organising dinner parties and shopping expeditions with your friends
in Melbourne - any memorable experiences to share? Florina: Without a doubt, shopping experiences are the most memorable for me! Melbourne has lots of unique and vintage-kind of shops; so it always possible to find something unexpected. Yingxiu: I think every event I have planned has been wonderful and memorable. This is a lot harder to achieve in Singapore as its so small, so the options are much more limited. I have always enjoyed planning events but I never thought that I can do so much here from dinners to movies to roadtrips. The most successful event i planned was the movie outing with twenty-one people! Final question - some pointers (top 3 list if you will) for our students back home who are contemplating an overseas study experience Florina: Learn how to cook (eating out is expensive!). Learn how to do laundry like your mother (so you don’t mix colors with white and end up like a rainbow!). Be determined that you know how to take good care of yourself; mentally and physically. Yingxiu: On a serious note, be prepared for exposure to a different culture that you may have never experienced before. So take the leap and don’t be afraid, we will be here for you! There is a large RP community here in Melbourne and we’re like a family here. In time, you will make your own friends where everyone takes care of each other so we will not feel homesick. It brings friendship up to new levels!
graduates’ spotlight | dREam |
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Standing Out From The Crowd Republic Polytechnic (RP) turns out work-ready individuals with highly desirable characteristics prized by employers. Meet three outstanding graduates who are doing RP proud in their respective fields. Article extracted from incoRPorate
A
ccording to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Q2/2011 by recruitment agency Manpower Singapore, 33 per cent of employers in Singapore planned to increase their headcounts during the second quarter of this year. Indeed, Singapore’s job market continues to pick up steam in tandem with the nation’s burgeoning economy. Human resource professionals are calling the current employment landscape an “employee’s market”, in which job candidates often enjoy the luxury of choice, taking their pick from a selection of job offers. This certainly spells excellent news for RP’s latest batch of graduates. Many employers prize polytechnic graduates for their strong skill sets and deep knowledge in their respective disciplines, as well as practical, handson training that they have undergone.
In fact, this sentiment was underscored by the Graduate Employment Survey conducted in 2010 by Singapore’s five polytechnics. The survey confirmed that polytechnic graduates are well sought-after by employers, with nine out of 10 graduates managing to secure jobs last year. And RP graduates stand out from the crowd due to the polytechnic’s unique Problem-Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy. RP nurtures individuals to be ready for challenges that they may face in the workforce. This is why RP graduates are often recognized by the industry for their critical thinking, analytical and strong team player skills. Their ‘can-do’ attitude sets them apart from other job hopefuls.
spoon-fed. This is similar to the workplace because your superior isn’t going to teach you everything. They will teach you some things but you will have to work out the rest yourself,” he says. So whenever a problem occurs at work, Kenneth simply takes a deep breath and asks himself, “What do I know about this problem, what do I not know and what do I have to find out in order to solve it?” This is the simple but highly effective cornerstone of the PBL method. The 22-year-old works as a Process Technologist for the Photolithography department at flash memory producer, IM Flash Singapore. His job entails monitoring the production line, calibrating process parameters, identifying, and reworking wafers. During one particular inspection of a batch of wafers, Kenneth found that all the wafers had the same scratch signature. He used the PBL technique to identify the origin of the scratch and rectified the machine problem, before the next batch was affected. This left his supervisor duly impressed as Kenneth had taken the initiative to go beyond the call of duty and solve the problem. RP graduates are able to articulate their thoughts well and always take the initiative to learn and ask questions for what they do not understand. Kenneth is also very self-motivated.” - Kenneth’s Supervisor, IM Flash Singapore
Nurturing Problem Solvers Kenneth Yap, an RP graduate with a Diploma in Micro and Nanotechnology, found it easy to transit from student to working life after graduating from RP this year, thanks to the PBL approach. “RP has done a great job in training us to be problem-based learners. We have been taught to tackle problems on our own instead of being
Kenneth
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ork suit
in his w
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Creating Effective Communicators
Choon Hua, an RP graduate in 2009, now working in Globewerks International.
Cultivating Teamwork Skills 23-year-old Goh Choon Hua graduated in 2009, and is putting her Diploma in Integrated Events Management to good use as an Events Executive at Globewerks International. Attached to the conference department, Choon Hua’s job scope involves liaising with clients and vendors, and providing support in the organizing of conferences. “A conference typically requires a few departments like logistics, programme and sponsorship to liaise and work together in order to deliver an event. RP has equipped me well in the areas of teamwork and communication skills, which are essential when it comes to organising conferences,” Choon Hua shares. RP graduates are able to think on their feet and are not afraid to ask questions. Choon Hua’s ‘never-say-die’ trait is something very valuable in the events industry. A few years ago, Globewerks handled a major event in Singapore and a smaller one in New Zealand. Choon Hua was an intern with us at the time and was supporting another team member in the New Zealand event. It was a difficult team as the event in Singapore was over-subscribed by twice the number of expected delegates. Everything was moving at lightning speed to manage the additional workload. Choon Hua held the fort for the event in New Zealand. That project was beautifully executed and we have the greatest respect for Choon Hua’s tenacity and courage to stick through it.” – Ms Goh Hong Wee, Managing Director, Globewerks International
Choon Hua (R) with her colleagues in Globewerks International.
As an Operations Executive at Parkway Shenton, 24-year-old Choong Bey Ni is thankful to RP for honing her communication skills as her job requires her to respond to internal and external customers’ enquiries and complaints, and then feedback these to all communication channels. The daily group work Bey Ni did at RP came in handy for the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences graduate from the class of 2007. The experience working with other students has enabled her to make decisions and handle operations-related issues in her current job with tact and discretion. Bey Ni’s other responsibilities include planning and managing issues and resources to ensure that all of the company’s clinics run smoothly and achieve their KPI (key performance indicator) targets. She also conducts feasibility studies on new and existing operational processes. Given her wide portfolio, Bey Ni certainly uses the PBL approach in her job every day. “When faced with a problem, I will view the problem from different angles and analyse it in detail in order to find the cause and resolve the problem accordingly. Thanks to RP, I’m able to understand what I have learnt and then apply it in real life situations,” she says. Bey Ni has exceeded my expectations. Her ability to use her initiative to proactively propose solutions has encouraged me to hire more RP graduates.” – Mr Louis Poey, Operations Manger and Bey Ni’s Supervisor, Parkway Shenton.
Bey Ni, from class of 2007, now working as an Operations Executive at Parkway Shenton.
graduate’s spotlight | dREam |
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The All Rounder Article by John Ivan Martinez Larin CCC Diploma in Communication and Information Design
F
ighter, businessman, and instructor. It seems that these three different words can never be used jointly to describe one person. But these are just the right words to describe Qassidi Ibrahim Ahmad, 25, a pioneer graduate of Republic Polytechnic (RP) in Diploma in Information Technology.
Qassidi is a national athlete in the sport of Pencak Silat, an indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. He has his very own company, Team Qas Fitness, which specializes in mixed martial arts and fitness training. He also coaches Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) Silat Interest Group (IG). This 3-in-1 man has become famous in the world of Silat with his explosive body slams and takedowns. Qassidi is a four-time national champion and currently ranked 3rd in the world ranking after the world championship last year that was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. He had also won the championship in 2007 when he represented RP in the Inter-Tertiary Silat Championship. Among his various and notable achievements, his triumph during the National Championships in 2008 was the most memorable and exceptional. “That (National Championships 2008) was the most special as I was actually training very hard and sacrificing a lot in training and dieting,” said Qassidi. He encountered the 2007 Silat world champion (whose name was not revealed by Mr Qassidi) during the semi finals and managed to win the competition. From then, he stormed to the finals and defeated his opponent with a knockout. Teo En Jia, Qassidi’s friend and teammate in Singapore’s Silat national team, believes that Qassidi’s confidence enabled him to be a fearless fighter who is capable of competing with different fighters all over the world. “I think it’s the inner burning desire of Qassidi to achieve that pushed him so far,” En Jia said. “And, of course, a lot of hard work and talent involved.”
A corporation conceived by passion The interest in the human body and a desire to unleash other people’s potential - these are the two main reasons why Team Qas Fitness (TQF) was set up. Founded in January 2011, TQF aspires to “unleash the fitness” in everyone by educating and abetting people with their array of fitness programs. It was also built with Qassidi’s concern on the rising rate of obesity in Singapore. “The situation in Singapore is such that unhealthy food is cheap and freely available to the public, causing rises in obesity, especially in young children and working adults,” explained Qassidi. This is a cause for concern, so I feel that I can help out in improving lives.” TQF provides door to door personal training services and conducts fitness training programs for people of different ages. Besides mixed martial arts training programs, this stalwart fitness company also offers programs such as IPPT training for NS Men, fitness talks, and anti-bully training for kids. Alumnus gives back In spite of all of Qassidi’s feat in the sport of Pencak Silat and his success in Team Qas Fitness, he still visits RP to coach its Silat IG. He has been part of RP’s Silat team since 2006 and had still contributed to the team and school even after his graduation in 2007. “I’m just an alumni giving back to the school,” said Qassidi. “I feel that helping others achieve their potential in physical fitness and mental skills, as well as motivating them, brings out the best in me.” “It is a passion for the sport actually and the love of helping others, I feel, that knowledge should always be shared and not kept to oneself.” It is not uncommon for Qassidi to be found coaching or training other aspiring athletes. En Jia testified how Qassidi had helped different athletes by sharing
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HOLLYWOOD A Night to Remember
Article by Qayyum Mohamed Graduate of 2011
his skills and knowledge on Silat: “As a senior athlete in the national team with many years of experience, he is always there to share tips and views on the game play of the sport with younger athletes. He never fails to motivate his teammates in training of his stronger areas.” Qassidi plays an indispensable role in RP’s Silat IG as a trainer and cornerman. President of Silat IG, Firdaus Zuklifi, 19, shared how delighted and honoured he was to have Qassidi as his coach: “When I first started Silat, he was my first inspiration. His skills are superb. It’s actually an honour for him to coach us and to get quite close to him. Imagine you got to meet Fandi Ahmad (Singapore’s favourite football icon), your inspiration, and get close to him - same concept.” In the 10th Tertiary Silat Championship held earlier this year, RP emerged as top 5 out of 12 schools and had garnered 2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. This spectacular achievement could not be possible without the help and support of Qassidi. “He has given all sorts of advice and tips to the team so that we can succeed in the competition,” recounted Firdaus. “During the competition, he made sure that he would be the cornerman for every of the fighters in the team. This way, he could be a morale booster and also guidance for us in the ring.” “He coaches us based on his experience and wide knowledge. He’s able to connect with the team and we are indeed happy with his coaching.” Qassidi is one of the many RP students and graduates who have succeeded in pursuing their passions in life. He did not only thrive as a fighter but also flourished in his business. And beyond that, he never forgets to radiate his light to those people who aspire to achieve their dREams.
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fter a tireless 3 years of hard work and dedication to reflection journals, internship stints, and Final Year Projects, it is no surprise that graduates from the School of Sports, Heath and Leisure (SHL) were all geared up for prom night. Prom was significant to most students as it marked the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. Prom Night 2011, with a Hollywood theme was a night to remember. Held on the 21st of May 2011, at Grand Copthorne Waterfront, graduates arrived dressed to their nines. Ladies slipped into gorgeous dresses and killer sets of heels while the gents were decked in iron-pressed dress shirts with vests or blazers. Even the SHL staff were present and all geared up for a ball of a time. The night, put together by members of the SHL Club, started with a buffet spread that fulfilled the hearts, or rather the stomachs of many. Throughout the sumptuous dinner, graduates were kept entertained by a gregarious emcee and the many games likes of popular television show “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” and hilarious “Guess Who?” game that featured a cut-off photo of some SHL academic staff which graduates were led to answer with pin-point accuracy, thanks to the many hours of face time with our dear facilitators. Everyone clearly enjoyed the night filled with laughter and the many camera flashes capturing those priceless moments. What would be a Prom Night without the coronation of Prom King and Prom Queen? SHL graduates voted on stage their picks, all of who were charming and beautiful in their own right. The Prom King and Prom Queen were crowned with a surprising twist of win! Some lucky ones got home with lovely lucky draw prizes of vouchers and appliances too. SHL graduates definitely had a good night of revelry. Above all, it was a memorable experience, with the setting, the mood, the food and, of course, the people. The best of luck to all of SHL’s Graduating Class of 2011!
| dREam | happenings
SHL Prom Night 2011
happenings | dREam |
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Sports Excellence Awards
Glitz 2011 Article by Fazilah A Latiff, Manager Office of Student and Graduate Affairs
hey inspire their peers and excel in their respective sporting arenas. It is little wonder that T this year’s Sports Excellence Awards - Glitz 2011 -
adopted the theme of Sports Heroes. This annual event seeks to recognise the glorious achievements and unwavering dedication the sportsmen and sportswomen of Republic Polytechnic (RP) have displayed in the local and international sports scene. The event was held at The Republic Cultural Centre on 2nd June 2011 and was kindly graced by Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP, Mr Seto Lok Yin. Also in attendance was AsiaPac Distribution Pte Ltd General Manager, Mr Patrick Tan, who was present on behalf of the company which has generously sponsored the awards ceremony. This would be the third consecutive year that AsiaPac Distrubtion Pte Ltd has been the main sponsor and it definitely signals the organisation’s belief in the promotion of sports among the youth in Singapore. The event started off with a welcome address by Mr Seto Lok Yin, in which he highlighted the abundant silverware that RP has reaped locally in the past academic year of 2010/2011. Mr Seto brought to the attention of the over 900 strong crowd, Team Republic’s exploits in the international scene through our Asian Games, Youth Olympic Games, Asian Para Games and Commonwealth Games athletes. Mr Seto also praised the efforts of teams such as Aquatic, Taekwondo, Tchoukball and Ultimate Frisbee for their contributions in the promotion and development of sports in the community. This was followed by the presentation of the Certificate of Merit to our deserving athletes by Office of Student and Graduate Affairs Assistant Director, Mr David Lim, and School of Sports, Health and Leisure Deputy Director, Ms Goy Soon Lan, who were our Distinguished Award Presenters for the night. The excitement of the night grew by leaps and bounds as the crowd cheered in anticipation of the performance showcase by Cheerleading Interest Group (IG). Their acrobatic stunts and co-ordinated dance moves enthralled the audience and set the tone for the celebration of sports that was to follow. The recognition of RP athletes’ continual quest for self-improvement was evident in the number of awards given out under the RP Athlete Development Grant, presented next by Mr Patrick Tan. He also gave out the RP Sports For Good Awards to teams
and individuals who had contributed to the community through their outreach, charity and school-wide events. The celebration continued with the presentation of the Meritorious Silver Awards by Registrar, Mr Sundar W, and Meritorious Gold Awards presented by Centre for Educational Development Director, Mr Glen O’Grady. These awards were given out to honour RP athletes for their dedication towards sports excellence and outstanding performance. The next performance by RP’s very own Capoeira IG only served to build the anticipation of the sportsmen present as they wait to find out the winners of the prestigious awards for the night. The Republic Honours were awarded to six high performing athletes who have done RP proud by representing Singapore in regional competitions. School of Sports, Health and Leisure Deputy Director, Ms Goy Soon Lan, handed out the awards to Cecilia Low Rui Qi (SEG) and Nurul Shafinas Bte Abdul Rahman (SHL) who received the awards on behalf of their compatriots. The two ladies then went on to thank RP for the support which has allowed them to excel and also wished for RP sports to achieve new heights. The highlight of the evening was next, with RP’s male and female Captain of the Year, Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, as well as Team of the Year nominees eagerly waiting to find out if they had clinched the top awards for the night. Captain of the Year Award went to Mr Yee Kin Mun (SAS), who was instrumental in the success of the RP Dragon Boat Team (Male) and Ms Lau Meishi (SEG), for her leadership in leading the Netball team to greater heights. The proud leaders received their awards from Office of Student and Graduate Affairs Director, Mr Ganesh Kalyanam. Sportsman of the Year was given out to Mr Li Derong, Eric (SHL), who had won a silver medal in the 37th
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National Taekwondo Kyorugi Championship, as well as winning a silver medal in the POL-ITE Games Invitational Taekwondo Championship 2010/2011. The Sportswoman of the Year went to Ms Ng Guat Ting, Jocelyn (SHL), for her representation of Singapore in the Under-19 and Under-21 national Netball teams. She also led the team to win a silver medal in the POL-ITE Netball Championships 2010/2011. The award presenter, Mr Seto Lok Yin, was beaming with pride as he handed the awards to the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year! As the crowd grew in spirits, and cheers and congratulations were all around for the award winners, everyone knew that the best was left for last, the Team of the Year award. However, before the final award was given out, due recognition was given to coaches and advisors of the sports teams as the captains and vice-captains were given an opportunity to recognise these special individuals who had sacrificed time and effort to mould the students to be great sportsmen. The captains presented tokens of appreciations to their coaches and advisors who were present that evening amid cheers and words of thanks. Team Republic sports were the real winners this year as all the sports teams did well in their respective competitions. With victories in various sports in POL-ITE Games as well as a good showing in Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic and also great displays of sportsmanship and excellence in overseas competitions, Team Republic stood proud and tall in the tertiary sports scene. Amid heated debate of who deserved to walk away with the coveted Team of the Year award, Mr Seto Lok Yin handed the most prestigious award to the Dragon Boat (Female) team who had shone the brightest with their outstanding performances and achievements, including winning the POL-ITE Dragon Boat races for three years running. It was an enthralling night for all who were present at Glitz Sports Excellence Awards 2011. As this year’s award ceremony comes to an end, we all look forward to Glitz 2012 where much more joy and excitement awaits our RP athletes. RP would like to thank AsiaPac Distribution Pte Ltd for their continued and passionate support for this year’s Sports Excellence Awards by being the main sponsor once again.
Congratulations to all winners of Team Republic at Glitz Sports Excellence Awards 2011! Sportsman of the Year • Li Derong, Eric (SHL) - Taekwondo IG Sportswoman of the Year • Ng Guat Ting, Jocelyn (SHL) - Netball IG Captain (M) of the Year • Yee Kin Mun (SAS) - Dragon Boat (M) IG Captain (F) of the Year • Lau Meishi (SEG) -Netball IG Team of the Year • Dragon Boat (F) Republic Honours • Cecilia Low Rui Qi (SEG) - Sailing • Daniel Koh Jun Jie (SHL) - Cycling • Nurul Shafinas Bte Abdul Rahman (SHL) - Taekwondo • Valerie Lim (SOH) - Modern Pentathlon • Wendy Tan Liu Jie (SHL) - Archery • Yip Pin Xiu (SHL) - Swimming
lifestyle tidbits | dREam |
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10 Tips for an
Impressive Résumé Make sure your résumé ends up in the “yes” pile. Here are 10 tips that will help you up that chance. By RP Student Career Centre and JobsCentral BrightMinds
T
hese days, a résumé is all about packaging - a well-packaged résumé will attract the eyeballs of the people you want to impress. We’re not talking about being outstanding in an outlandish way. The key to a successful résumé is to personalise and tailor it to the company that you are applying to. And of course, you have also (ideally) accumulated enough substance over the years to beef up your résumé. Here are 10 tips for creating an impressive résumé that will separate the wheat from the chaff.
and should be explained in complete sentences. Doing so will lend you more credibility as a jobseeker. However, avoid coming up with long paragraphs for each point.
#10: Photo perfect Don’t worry if you’re not photogenic. Your potential employers simply want to know who they’re hiring, and be able to match a face to your name and achievements. Wear formal business clothes when taking your photo, and don’t forget to smile! Ideally, the photo should clearly show your front profile and be similar in size to your passport photo. Place the photo at the top corner (either right or left) of your résumé.
#6: Don’t decorate Not excessively, anyway. You want to come across as impressive and credible, not too ‘cute’ for your own good. Kill the temptation to add floral borders or any other unnecessary graphics. Feel free to use a bigger font for your name and sub-headings, but in terms of colours used, stick to black as far as possible.
#7: Use sub-headings Sub-headings such as “Education”, “Internships” and “Hobbies” are good for organising your résumé. Employers also prefer information to be listed in chronological order, so as to better understand your background at a glance.
#9: Fun with fonts When it comes to fonts, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Business fonts such as Times New Roman and Arial are popular because they are easy to read. Avoid using fancy or complex fonts, as you do not want to run the risk of appearing juvenile, unprofessional, or worse, indecipherable to the hiring manager. A font size ranging from 1012 is ideal.
#5: Image, image, image Create an image that matches the salary you will eventually be asking for. Use strong and specific verbs to enhance and sell your skills. For example, you could say “I publicised the XXX” instead of “I was involved in XXX”. Elaborate on quantifiable achievements, especially those that are related to the position you are applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a social media executive position, say in your résumé, “Increased Facebook likes by 50% within four weeks”, rather than just “Monitor Facebook page”.
#8: Write in complete sentences Even if you are using bullet points for your résumé, the points you highlight should not be too brief
#4: Top-down approach Don’t make the mistake of putting your most impressive achievements at the end; you would have
RP Student Career Centre (SCC) helps students discover their personal profiles, coach them in their career decisions, and prepares them to find gainful employment after graduation. Located at the first floor of RP library, SCC offers Career Planning, Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Grooming and Business Etiquette workshops amongst others. Students can also post resumes and find both temporary and full time employment on the Student Career Portal. For more information, visit http://www.rp.edu.sg/scc JobsCentral BrightMinds, a special portal
that offers entry-level, part-time and internship positions for students and alumni of tertiary institutions it partners, such as Republic Polytechnic. It allows users to search for jobs, track applications and read career-related articles for free. Visit RP eJobs Portal at http://rp.jobscentral.com.sg for your exclusive access.
lost your chance to impress by then. Place your most outstanding achievements or qualities at the top, after your basic information and work history. Describe what you have done in effective yet concise language, and remember to quantify each achievement where possible. #3: Paper problem While most people would play safe and print on plain white paper, it doesn’t hurt to be slightly different. Go for papers with a plain, smooth finishing and are slightly heavier than plain copier paper for a more professional look. However, avoid fancy papers with special finishing such as glossy or ‘linen’ surfaces. These are expensive and don’t really add value to your résumé. #2: Word or PDF? Both are perfectly fine, unless the company has requested for a specific file type. To be safe, convert your résumé to Adobe PDF format. Not only does it make your résumé look more professional, you also minimise the risk of your employer not being able to open the file. #1: Customise your résumé When it comes to applying for jobs, never assume that one size fits all. Showcase your efforts by addressing your cover letter to the person-incharge. For each position you’re vying for, place your most pertinent achievement and experiences at the top. Paying attention to such details will definitely pay off when you receive an invitation to an interview!
calendar of events | dREam |
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Calendar of Events September 2011
23 September The Art and Science of Healthy Menu Design*
17 and 24 September 1, 8 and 15 October Understanding Human Nutrition* (Five days)
6 - 7 September Building Fun iPhone Apps for Pleasure and for Profit Workshop*
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
30 September Marketing with $0 – Maximizing Profit with Minimum Budget*
19, 20, 22, 23 September Adobe Photoshop CS4 Introductory Workshop*
10 September Starting Your Online Enterprise*
Venue:
(Four days) Venue:
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
Republic Polytechnic Campus
Republic Polytechnic Campus
October 2011 3 - 4 October A Gentle Introduction to Linux*
21 October Republic Polytechnic University Fair 2011
Republic Polytechnic Campus
Republic Polytechnic Campus
6 - 7 October IT Security: Protecting your Business in the Cyber World*
Participating Universities for 2011 University Fair @ RP include top names like: NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) SIM Global, SIM University, Australian National University, Monash University, University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, RMIT, University of Technology Sydney, and many more to come. From Japan, Nagoya University. Look out for sponsorship programs and scholarships.
Venue:
Venue:
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus 6, 13, 20, 27 October Demystifying Contract Law for Non-Lawyers* (Four days)
26 October Deepavali
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
November 2011
7 & 14 November n Introduction to Vir tualisatio ng* uti mp Co ud and Clo
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
Venue:
3 November Reflections Opening Launch Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus 10 November MUSE Dance Concert featuring RP’s Dance Groups
ra
Republic Polytechnic, South Ago 4 & 5 November Malam Newstalgia
(Collaboration with Main Wayang) Venue:
Venue:
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus
atre
Republic Polytechnic, TRCC The
atre Republic Polytechnic, TRCC The 5 November Starting Your Online Enterprise*
16, 18, 23, 25 November Write Your First Facebook Application*
6 November Hari Raya Haji
3 - 18 November Reflections Festival 2011 – l RP’s Community Arts Festiva
12 November V Symphonie de Republique (A collaboration between Republic The Polytechnic’s Wind Symphony & Singapore Police Force Band) Venue:
atre Republic Polytechnic, TRCC The
Venue:
Republic Polytechnic Campus 16 & 17 November dak Acapella Evenings with Bu Pantai & Rhapsody Venue:
dio
Republic Polytechnic, TRCC Stu 17 November The Grand Magic Show Venue:
atre
Republic Polytechnic, TRCC The 18 November Reflections Closing Bash Venue:
ra
Republic Polytechnic, South Ago
*For more information on CPD programmes, please visit www.rp.edu.sg/cpd. Club Republic members would get to enjoy the CPD programmes at a discounted rate. Information is correct at time of printing
For more information on other RP events, please email us at help-graduate@rp.edu.sg
From Diploma to Degree! Over the last few years, RP has established over 600 Articulation Agreement’s in force and with over 70 universities worldwide. Article by Rodney Wong, Assistant Director Office of International Relations
What is an Articulation Agreement? An Articulation Agreement (AA) is an official approved agreement that matches coursework between the Republic Polytechnic and these Universities. The outcome of these agreements, allows students a year or more off a degree program. These are considered AAs with advance standing. Showcasing AAs at the University FAIR 2011 @ RP The University Fair 2011 @ RP have been designated an annual event where RP showcases some of the Articulation Agreements it has with TOP Universities.
Fang Yi Wen, 1st Class Honors University of Melbourne, PhD student, Deakin University, Australia “My mum used to worry about me passing my exams. Frankly, I barely made it to Republic Polytechnic with my results”
of London. From Switzerland we have Les Roche International Hotel Management School, Les Roche Gruyere University, and the Swiss Hotel Management School and so on. For the first time, we have a range of US Universities namely Washington University St Louis, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and Kendall College (of the Les Roche from the US).
This year, the FAIR is scheduled for the 21st October 2011, to be held at the South Agora Hall in the Polytechnic grounds. This fair is dedicated to the graduates and coming graduates of RP who aspire to continue their pursuit for a Bachelor’s degree with a TOP rate University.
This year, for the first time, we will be having Nagoya University, one of the top universities in Japan, offering fully paid scholarships to RP graduates interested to study in Japan. Most parts of the courses will be taught in English.
The Universities represented at the FAIR include Singapore’s four autonomous universities, NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD & the government aided UniSIM and the Singapore Institute of Technology. For those who prefer a private education in Singapore, we have included renowned private education Institutions like SIM Global, Curtin University, JCU and Newcastle with campuses in Singapore, and LaSalle College for the Arts, PSB, Chapman University (US) and the Singapore Institute of Technology.
University Ranking What do these rankings mean for students? For starters, these are the best ranked universities, based on their reputation, research productivity, renowned academic staff, and future employment prospects. The latter explains why so many are driven towards good and reputable universities, and why not? After all, RPs Diplomas are recognised by the best and with formal articulation agreements of a year or more off a degree program with these Universities. Why go for less?
There are many choices at the FAIR, and adding to the diversity, we have invited top Universities from around the world. From Australia we have, Universities from the Group of 8 with AAs in force with RP. These are Australia’s best and include the Australian National University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Adelaide and University of Western Australia. Coming from the list of Australian Top Technological Universities are RMIT, University of Technology Sydney, Curtin University and many more. Top of the line UK Universities from the Russell Group include University of Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow and the University
In Conclusion Make a smart choice and take a trip down to the University Fair this October and discover what AAs are there for you. This may be that single journey that can change your life.
UNIVERSITY FAIR 2011 @RP Friday, 21 October 2011, 11am to 6pm Republic Polytechnic, South Agora
Advance Standing?
Smart choices &
Credit Exemption?
hard truths in University Studies 4:45pm: Articulation pathways to an Australian University 5:10pm: Studying in Singapore’s private education
Early Admission?
Overseas Universities?
5:35pm: Pathways & insights to a UK Degree 6:00pm: Lucky Draw (Qualify for a ticket from each talk)
Local Universities?
Participating Universities Singapore • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
National University of Singapore Nanyang Technological University Singapore Management University Singapore University of Technology and Design Singapore Institute of Technology SIM University SIM Global Education IDP Education British Council Center for American Education Curtin Singapore JCU Singapore The University of Newcastle Singapore LASALLE College of the Arts Ngee-Ann Adelaide Education Centre PSB Academy
Australia • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Australian National University The University of Melbourne Monash University The University of Adelaide Macquarie University RMIT University University of Technology, Sydney Queensland University of Technology Curtin University University of South Australia Griffith University Australian International Hotel School Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School • Le Cordon Bleu Australia
UK & Europe • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
University of Leeds Newcastle University University of Glasgow Queen Mary, University of London University of Central Lancashire Glion Institute of Higher Education Les Roches International Hotel Management School - Switzerland Les Roches Gruyère University of Applied Sciences Les Roches International Hotel Management School - Spain Hotel Institute Montreux Swiss Hotel Management School IHTTI, International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute DCT University Center, Switzerland Swissnex Singapore
U.S
• Chapman University, Singapore • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Asia • Washington University Saint Louis • Kendall College
Japan
• Nagoya University
FURTHER
STUDY?