Singapore to Train Liaoning Principals and Teachers
Temasek Foundation, Singapore commits funds to support training programme to boost Liaoning’s technical education
SINGAPORE, 9 July 2009: Nanyang Polytechnic International (NYPi) will be training 186 principals, deputy principals, HODs and key specialist teachers from 12 technical colleges in Liaoning Province with the support of Temasek Foundation in the form of a grant of S$891,400. The programme, co-funded by the Liaoning Education Department with a grant of about S$498,000, will help the Liaoning Provincial Government in its efforts to reform and enhance its Technical / Vocational Education & Training (TVET) system.
Liaoning, located in north-eastern China, has seen a steady increase in investment from several Singapore companies, particularly in Shenyang and Dalian cities. Besides boosting Liaoning’s TVET standards, the NYPi training programme will translate into more highly skilled manpower, which is expected to benefit Singapore companies located there.
The Liaoning participants will be trained in batches at NYP over two years, from July 2009 to June 2011. They will then cascade the knowledge and skills learnt to another 480 educators in Liaoning. This knowledge transfer is expected to proliferate further downstream to more than 500 technical colleges across Liaoning.
The training at NYP covers education management and teaching pedagogies which include the NYP-pioneered Teaching Factory Concept, as well as specialisations in Computer Numerical Controlled Technology and Mechatronics.
A ceremony was held in Liaoning this morning to mark the collaboration between NYPi and the Liaoning Promotion Committee on International Education Cooperation.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Goh Geok Khim, Chairman of Temasek Foundation said, “The continuous improvement and upgrading of education in a community is key to its development and growth. This training programme will help senior policy-makers and educators to develop technical vocational education policies, strategies and curriculum to meet the emerging needs of Liaoning’s vocational industry. More significantly, this will contribute towards developing a strong talent pool of vocational graduates who will have the capacity and capability to respond to the new economy.”
“The Education Department of Liaoning Province plans to enhance their TVET system at both the middle vocational and polytechnic levels. Through this programme, Liaoning hopes to develop a core group of model polytechnics and middle-level vocational colleges that will share NYP’s Teaching Factory and related management and pedagogic concepts with other colleges in the province. They will cascade the acquired knowledge, practical hands-on competencies and application know-how that could provide a catalyst to spur the advancement of the total TVET system in Liaoning. This ‘multiplier effect’ is expected to be substantial.” said Mr Danils Chia, Senior Director, International Programme Centre, NYPi.
The programme will commence on 20 July 2009, with a 2-week training programme for senior officials in Singapore.
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About Temasek Foundation
Temasek Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organisation anchored in Singapore that seeks to contribute to sustainable growth and a bright future of hope and opportunities for people in Asia. The foundation works with partners to support programmes that develop people through health care, education and research, programmes that build bridges between peoples, programmes that build institutions of excellence through good governance and ethics, and programmes that rebuild lives and livelihoods affected by natural disasters.
About Nanyang Polytechnic and NYP International
Nanyang Polytechnic is a premier tertiary institution that offers quality education in Engineering, Design, Information Technology, Interactive & Digital Media, Business Management, Health Sciences and Chemical & Life Sciences. NYP offers 45 full-time diploma courses and a suite of customized courses for continuing education. Established in 1992, NYP has a long tradition of working in partnership with industry and educational institutions.
Nanyang Polytechnic International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYP. Its focus is on enhancing the NYP brand name in education and training beyond Singapore. It will help strengthen NYP’s existing international partnerships and collaborations and create more opportunities for students and staff to be engaged in international exchange and attachment programmes.
For media queries, please contact:
Desmond Ho
Communications Officer
Nanyang Polytechnic
DID: (65) 6550 0225
Email: desmond_ho@nyp.gov.sg
Caroline Tan
Associate Director, Communications
Temasek Foundation
DID: (65) 6828 6739
Email: carolinetan@temasekfoundation.org.sg