A new engineering science diploma, developed by Ngee Ann Polytechnic with guidance from NTU, will reshape how engineering is taught.

Some Ngee Ann Polytechnic students will soon be doing part of their final-year projects at NTU, under a new Diploma in Engineering Science course designed by Ngee Ann Polytechnic with NTU's help.

The course begins in April 2011 and is targeted at students who are strong in mathematics and science. It offers a different approach to the traditional study of engineering, which tends to focus on a specific field such as civil, electrical or mechanical.

Students will, therefore, gain not just technological skills but a broad perspective of engineering. This provides a foundation for an undergraduate engineering education at NTU or other universities.

“The Engineering Science course is groundbreaking. This is the first engineering diploma in Singapore to break the traditional mould of being highly discipline-specific,” said Mr Chia Mia Chiang, Principal of Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

“Thanks to the involvement and guidance of NTU in the curriculum design, the diploma offers a broader coverage of engineering disciplines and exposes students early to undergraduate engineering education at NTU,” he added. 

NTU’s involvement will go beyond curriculum design – its professors will help to oversee the project work of the Ngee Ann students, as they will be spending two days a week at NTU in their final year undertaking projects in areas like materials science and aerospace engineering.

Prof Pan Tso-Chien, Dean of NTU’s College of Engineering, said: “Engineering is the bedrock of NTU and we have the largest engineering college in the world. It is in our interest to raise the standard of engineering and to help attract young talents to study engineering in Singapore.”

Well-rounded course
Students will receive a top-notch education, with exposure to marketing and financial modules, internship opportunities at renowned research institutes such as China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and study trips to top universities like Japan’s Chiba University, all part of the course curriculum.

The course is in line with the spirit of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2009 by NTU, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the School of Science and Technology to explore ways to work together.

Indeed, the diploma programme may prove attractive to students from the School of Science and Technology with a keen interest in applied science and technology, and who wish to pursue a career in engineering. These students can continue with an undergraduate engineering education at NTU after completing their Diploma in Engineering Science.

© Corporate Communications Office