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Republic Polytechnic (RP) (Chinese: 共和理工学院) is a tertiary institution in Singapore. It is one of the first institutions that uses Problem-based Learning pedagogy. Established on 1 August 2002, RP began operations in July 2003 with 800 students. By 2009, it had grown to 12,000 students. RP has over 480 facilitators resulting in a ratio of 1:25 with the students. Students learn one problem per day in order to allow them concentrate on only one subject. It has 34 diploma programmes as of 2009.

Curricula and academic work

Students are required to take three understanding tests (UT) per semester, UT1, UT2 and UT3. These tests, going at weightage of 25% for UT1 and UT2 and 25% for UT3 together with their daily assessments for 15 weeks at 50%, are graded for a student's GPA at the end of each Semester. To graduate with a diploma, a student must complete 30 modules in three years, at an average of five modules per semester. Each module would typically have about four contact hours weekly during which students (in groups of five) would meet in classrooms (about 25 students) with one facilitator for goal setting, knowledge sharing and presentations.

Each student spends 20 hours of scheduled contact time with facilitators per week over a 16-week semester. Students are assessed regularly based on their skills in processing, problem solving, analysis, group work, presenting, answering questions and the three Understanding Tests (UT). The system is so to groom elite leaders in the working world, to overcome any sort of problems coming their way.

First year students learn basic areas such as language, culture, enterprise development, personal development and technical communication.

Academic schools and departments

The polytechnic has six schools offering diploma programmes:

• School of Applied Science
• School of Engineering
• School of Information and Communications Technology
• School of Technology for the Arts
• School of Sports, Health and Leisure
• School of Hospitality (in collaboration with Raffles Hotels and Resorts)

In addition, one learning centre offers diploma programmes:

• Centre for Culture and Communication (CCC)

These three centres provide supporting roles to the above:

• Centre for Educational Development (CED)
• Centre for Innovation and Enterprise (CIE)
• Centre for Science and Mathematics (CSM)

The Centre for Professional Development (CPD) offers post-diplomas and short courses.

Other departments

• Republic Polytechnic Library

Students, staff and public can play video games and pianos which are available inside the library. Quiet rooms are available for study.

• The Republic Cultural Centre

It hosts events such as Reflections - RP's Community Arts Festival, IGNITE Music Festival, and Momentum Dance Festival.

• Student and Graduate Affairs

The department has five divisions - Student Wellness, Adventure Learning, Graduate Services, Service-learning, and Sports Development.

Campus

The 20 hectares campus is located at Woodlands Ave 9. The scenic grounds of a national park, Admiralty Park, on its doorstep.

Campus facilities include:

• Wireless Learning Hub
• Agora
• Learning Pods
• Integration with Nature
• Sports facilities
• Three canteens (one with airconditioning)
• Lawn

Awards and accreditations

Republic Polytechnic has been awarded national and international accreditations, including People Developer Standards, ISO9001, ISO14001,OHSAS18001, Singapore Quality Class, Singapore Innovation Class, and the Singapore Health Awards ( Gold ).

PM Lee praised Republic Polytechnic for its pervasive use of Problem-Based Learning approach. He said: "RP's PBL approach is a first in the polytechnics and in Singapore. Every day, students work in teams to look at problems from multiple perspectives. The students also hone their communication and presentation skills as they present, debate and defend their findings."

Notes

External links

• Republic Polytechic website
• Republic Polytechnic library
• Republic Polytechnic Cultural Centre
• Republic Polytechnic Student and Graduate Affairs
• Republic Polytechnic Centre for Professional Development

• Polytechnics in Singapore
• Educational institutions established in 2002
• Woodlands