New Principals & Chief Executive Officers at Nanyang and Republic Polytechnics in 2023
Published on 02 Dec 2022
SINGAPORE, 02 December 2022 – Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and Republic Polytechnic (RP) will welcome new Principals and Chief Executive Officers (PCEOs) next year.
2 Ms Jeanne Liew, currently PCEO at NYP, will be appointed PCEO at Republic Polytechnic with effect from 08 March 2023. Ms Liew will succeed Mr Yeo Li Pheow, who is retiring after 33 years of public service. Mr Russell Chan, currently Deputy Principal at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), will be appointed as PCEO-designate of NYP from 01 January 2023, and will succeed Ms Liew from 08 March 2023.
3 Mr Yeo has been the PCEO of RP since July 2008. Under his leadership, RP has sharpened the industry relevance of its curricula and expanded its student internship programmes to better equip its students for the workforce. He also led efforts to expand co-curricular activity (CCA) offerings, and introduced local and overseas service-learning programmes to infuse responsible citizenship values. Mr Yeo spearheaded RP’s transformational journey towards becoming an “institution of continuous learning”, increasing its offerings of Continuing Education and Training to cater to the needs of industry and learners, particularly in the areas of Agri-Food innovation, Supply Chain Management and Health & Wellness. Beyond ensuring that RP’s eco-system of industry partnerships is thriving, Mr Yeo also cares deeply for students, and drove the expansion of the financial support framework for needy students.
4 Ms Liew took the helm at NYP in 2015. She has been a driving force for the organisation, pivoting the polytechnic to create more options for adult learners and mid-career upgraders. Under her leadership, NYP pioneered the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning, which today helps Singapore’s businesses create the structures to train talent and retain organisational knowledge. NYP also launched the Professional Competency Model, a first-of-its-kind teaching model in Singapore, which moves away from the usual subject-based approach to one that is structured among competencies, where learners synthesise the interconnected and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills necessary in a just-in-time manner. Ms Liew has also built a holistic education system outside the classroom, through general studies modules, CCAs, and enrichment courses to help develop each learner’s potential.
5 Mr Chan has served two decades in the public sector, holding leadership roles in the Ministry of Education (MOE) and NP, as well as various other appointments at the Ministry of Manpower and the-then Singapore Workforce Development Agency. A firm believer in the importance of skills and lifelong learning, he supported efforts to implement new work-study pathways, such as Work-Study Degree Programmes and ITE Technical Diplomas in his time with MOE. At NP, he facilitated the development of their fourth 10-year Strategic Plan, and spearheaded the transformation of NP’s Continuing Education and Training strategies. Mr Chan also has a keen interest in technology, and led the Science and Technology schools cluster in the Polytechnic.
6 Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, expressed his appreciation for Mr Yeo’s service: “Li Pheow has served with distinction over the last three decades in the Public Service and has been instrumental in driving transformation in RP. RP’s graduates are well-regarded, in large part due to Li Pheow encouraging a culture of teamwork, being open and creative when problem-solving, and giving back to the community. We look forward to working with Jeanne and Russell to further enhance teaching and learning in the polytechnics.”
7 The changes were welcomed by the two Polytechnics’ Boards of Governors. Mr David Wong, Chairman of the RP Board of Governors, expressed appreciation for Mr Yeo’s service through the years: “RP celebrates our 20th anniversary this year. RP is grateful to Li Pheow for his guidance and commitment to RP’s development. His passion for future proofing learners, increasing the social mobility of our students and developing every staff’s capability can be seen and felt by all in RP. Li Pheow, his contributions, and his legacy, will be fondly remembered by everyone in the entire RP family. We wish him success and happiness in his new endeavours.”
8 Mr Wong also warmly welcomed Ms Liew to RP. “The Board of Governors and management team look forward to working with Jeanne to strengthen RP’s commitment to its mission and vision. Her wealth of experience and leadership will undoubtedly provide a fresh stimulus to RP’s on-going journey of transformation.”
9 Mr Tan Tong Hai, Chairman of the NYP Board of Governors also thanked Ms Liew for her contributions: “Under Jeanne's leadership, the polytechnic continues to forge close ties with key industry partners and foster holistic workplace learning. She also made learning relevant and enriching for both our students and staff through the innovative Professional Competency Model. We thank her for her outstanding service and contributions to NYP.”
10 On Mr Chan’s appointment, Mr Tan said: “We look forward to working with Russell in our journey towards an innovative and sustainable Polytechnic. We believe that his passion and sincerity, combined with his rich academic and work experience in adult learning, will help to develop NYP into a nexus for future ready learners.”