New and revamped courses build to withstand growing industry

competition

Lecturers set sight on equipping students with new advanced skillsets in the
coming academic year.

by Beatrice Ng

Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) School of Business and Accountancy will introduce
a brand new diploma course integrating business and trade in 2018.

The Diploma in International Business & Trade (IBT) will be the only diploma
course in Singapore with a succinct focus on global wholesale-trade. It combines
new and current modules from existing diploma courses in International
Business and International Logistics & Supply Chain Management, to train
students in helming knowledge and skillsets from both the business and logistics
industry.

Mr. Khoo Chen En, senior manager of the International Business sector of the
new diploma course, said that the decision to merge two current courses was
first made after recognizing the strengths and demands each respective
diplomas catered to. Speaking at NP’s Open House, held from 4 to 6 January
2018, Mr. Khoo said: “By combining two of our most established strengths in
international marketing and supply chain management, we want to develop a
diploma programme that fuels the increasingly digitalized trade workforce”.

Despite the new course structure, many potential students who attended Open
House had expressed their keen interest in applying for IBT. Derrick Lee, a
former student of Yishun Junior College, said that his interest in supply chain
management drew his attention to this diploma. Lee hopes that applying for this
diploma will place him in a better position for employment in the aviation trade
industry through various related modules and overseas internship
opportunities.

120 places will be offered for IBT this incoming academic year.

NP’s School of Infocomm Technology’s Immersive Media & Game Design (IMGD)
has also undergone a revamp to shift the focus from teaching theories to skills
building.

The change in direction is in alignment with SkillsFuture, a Singapore

government initiative that encourages lifelong learning. The new course
structure will equip students with practical skillsets on user experience and
interface by integrating both virtual and augmented reality. The application of
modern gaming technology, coupled with immersive fundamental class exercises
will serve to push students to become industry-ready early in the course.
Mr. Tan Chin Khoon, lecturer at the School of Infocomm Technology, said: “The
gaming industry is getting more competitive, we need change with times and
incorporate more digitalized modules so students will be ahead of the game.”

Students can also look forward to specialising in either Games or Interactivity in

Year 2 and expanded internship opportunities, such as to the Singapore Press
Holdings (SPH) and even international Public Relations agency, WE
Communications.

40 places will be offered for IMGD this coming academic year.