New global trade diploma at NP

Students interested in a career in global trade can now learn and develop skills by taking up Ngee Ann Polytechnic's (NP) new full-time diploma programme.

The diploma in international trade and business (ITB) will help students understand international trade practices and supply chain management, as well as learn skills in finance, purchasing and logistics.

Developed with International Enterprise Singapore, the three-year course is the first of its kind to be offered by a local polytechnic and will take in its first batch in April. It is expecting to enrol 120 students.

ITB will equip students with digital skills, such as harnessing the power of data analytics and developing digital solutions to drive business growth, to adapt to the increasingly digitalised industry.

Mrs Anna Yap, director of NP's School of Business and Accountancy, said the ITB was started to meet the evolving needs of the sector and to support Singapore's internationalisation strategy.

She said: "With technological advancements such as data analytics transforming the way global trade is conducted, there is a need to prepare graduates to navigate the intricacies of international trade and equip them with competencies in data analytics and digital business solutions."

According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, wholesale and retail trade made up 14.2 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product in 2016, the third-largest share after manufacturing and business services.

ITB students will have the opportunity to travel overseas for learning trips and immersion programmes. They may also get to do a six-month internship at global commercial hubs in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Australia or Africa.

Graduates can embark on careers in international business analysis, trade coordination, import and export compliance, digital marketing, e-commerce, procurement and market research.

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New facilities and programmes at the polytechnics

The newly renamed diploma in robotics and mechatronics will include practice on industrial robotic applications such as sensors, system designs, motors and Internet-based technology.

The Pall Centre of Excellence in biologics manufacturing technologies, which opened on Jan 4, houses technologies to thoroughly purify substances in biopharmaceutical and biologics processes.

The Student Plaza is a sheltered, open space near the school's bus stop that opened in the first week of January. It will soon house some food outlets.

The SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme leading to a part-time diploma in applied science (environmental services and management) is an 18-month programme to train workers in waste management and cleaning services. It was launched on Jan 3.

The Rain Garden, also launched on Jan 3, was built together with national water agency PUB. It is an outdoor learning facility for students to test water quality.

The diploma in hotel and leisure facilities management has been renamed diploma in facilities management and will include business and technical modules. Students will also work with the latest technologies in the Smart Building Lab.

The Bistro Lab is a two-storey food and beverage facility and training ground to support skills-based training for students taking a diploma in baking and culinary science. Its 100-seat cafeteria, opened on Jan 4, is open to the public.

TP Fundamentals, or TPFun, is a new core curriculum for first-year students that focuses on developing life skills such as entrepreneurship and good citizenship. It will be launched in April.