Ngee Ann Polytechnic
By: Norsyafika Zai
Inaugurated in 1963 as Ngee Ann College with only 116 students, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) has grown from its humble beginnings to establish itself as one of Singapore's leading institutions of higher learning. Today, the polytechnic has a full-time enrolment of more than 14,800 students. Ngee Ann also supports Continuing Education and Training (CET) through its CET Academy which offers a wide range of part-time programmes. Ngee Ann Polytechnic provides relevant, balanced and value-adding curriculum with an effective teaching and learning environment complete with active networking with industry and institutions. Together with their professional and motivated staff, their mission is to nurture enterprising professionals for the economy through education and training.
Their mission is to nurture lifelong learners who are imbued with 21st century competencies and valued at the workplace and by society. Meanwhile their vision is passion for learning, values for life, graduates who are ready for a global workplace. There are 48 full-time courses and nine academic schools, which is under school of:
i. Business & Accountancy
ii. Design & Environment
iii. Engineering
iv. Film & Media Studies
v. Health Sciences
vi. Humanities & Social Sciences
vii. Info-Comm Technology
viii. Life Sciences & Chemical Technology
ix. Interdisciplinary Studies
The polytechnic also offers part-time programmes for adult learners through the CET Academy. Established in 1985, the CET Academy now trains more than 10,000 adults and conducts over 200 courses every year. Through a series of lectures, workshops, seminars and conferences, students are able to interact and gain new expertise with fellow students and lecturers.
SCHOOL OF FILM & MEDIA STUDIES
The School of Film & Media Studies (FMS) was established in 1989. It was the first tertiary institution in Singapore to offer a full-time Diploma in Mass Communication (MCM). In 1993, the School scored another local first by offering the Diploma in Film, Sound & Video (FSV). The first cohort of the Diploma in Digital Visual Effects (DVFX) was accepted in 2007, in response to the growing demand for specialized skills in this area and it has become the first course in Singapore to produce Stereoscopic 3D content. In fact, its first S3D short film was screened on Okto in 2011. It was renamed Diploma in Visual Effects (VFX) in 2015. In Apr 2009, they are launched their fourth course- the Diploma in Advertising & Public Relations. It remains the only such course among the polytechnics.
The stellar achievements of their FMS graduates in international competitions, in securing competitive media positions, and in scholastic endeavors have contributed to the very high subscription rates for their courses during the admissions periods. Many FMS graduates have become household names and prominent professionals in radio and television production, advertising and public relations, film and video, and journalism industries. A number of media lecturers in the other polytechnics, and overseas universities are also alumni from FMS. Currently, there are about 900 students enrolled in their four-full-time diploma programmes, which is:
1. DIPLOMA IN ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS (APR)
2. DIPLOMA IN VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX)
3. DIPLOMA IN MASS COMMUNICATION
4. DIPLOMA IN FILM, SOUND & VIDEO (FSV)
FACILITIES
School of Film, and Media Studies has the facilities for student training and development in the media have impressed many of industry and foreign guests, and include the latest and most up-to-date digital technologies, such as:
i. TV studios (one of Singapore's largest green screen studios)
ii. Radio presentation studios
iii. Avid and ProTools stations
iv. Dolby digital 5.1 Surround Sound mixing studios
v. Sound post production room (video and audio production, editing and post-production suites)
vi. Multi-track audio recording studios
vii. Electronic music laboratory
viii. Sound stages
ix. Visual effects labs
x. Distribution and maintenance sites for field production equipment.
They also have a cinema-standard preview theatre, equipped with film projectors that can play 16mm and 35mm film, and all other common formats. This is where students are exposed to the best films in the region that are not screened at their cineplexes. FMS also regularly invites and hosts renowned local and foreign filmmakers to share with their students about difficulties on the ground, challenges and breakthroughs in their production or financing process. Other special facilities to support their various electives include an integrated newsroom, campus radio and TV stations housed in the office of www.fmsmidea.com, Singapore's first student-run media conglomerate. Lectures and tutorials are conducted in various locations throughout the campus.
FMS can be contact by hotline, 64608430 or email, sch-fms@np.edu.sg. Their official address is Blk 53, #07-01, 535 Clementi Road Singapore 599489.