Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, one of the most established polytechnics in Singapore, was founded in 1963 as Ngee Ann College with 116 students. It was subsequently renamed Ngee Ann Technical College in 1968, before adopting its current name in 1982. From its humble beginnings, the Polytechnic has grown from strength to strength to become one of the premier institutions of higher learning in Singapore.

The Polytechnic currently has an enrolment of about 14,000 full-time students, 1,265 part-time students and a vibrant alumni community of about 99,000.

The Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus is spread over 35.4 hectares at the fringe of the upmarket Bukit Timah residential district.

The Polytechnic offers a total of 39 full-time Diploma courses through eight academic schools:


 * School of Business & Accountancy
 * School of Engineering
 * School of Film & Media Studies
 * School of Health Sciences
 * School of Humanities
 * School of InfoComm Technology
 * School of Interdisciplinary Studies
 * School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology

The Centre for Professional Development offers a variety of quality and affordable courses and training programmes for professional upgrading and retraining. The Centre trains more than 5,000 people annually through 300 courses each year.

Schools

 * School of Business & Accountancy
 * School of Engineering
 * School of Film & Media Studies
 * School of Health Sciences
 * School of Humanities
 * School of Interdisciplinary Studies
 * School of InfoComm Technology
 * School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology
 * Centre For Professional Development

School of Film & Media Studies
The School of Film & Media Studies is a department within Ngee Ann Polytechnic that concentrates on teaching in the fields of Film Studies and Mass Communication.

The department was first established as the Department of Mass Communication in 1989, offering the Diploma in Mass Communication and Singapore's first tertiary education in the field. In 1993, the Diploma in Film, Sound and Video, another local first, was introduced through another separate department, the Department in Film, Sound and Video. Both departments eventually merged to form the School of Film & Media Studies in 1996.

The school accepts applications for its Mass Communication programme through the Joint Admission Exercise, as well as its own Direct Admissions Exercise, both of which are submitted directly to the Admission Office.

The Diploma in Mass Communications in Ngee Ann Polytechnic is known by many to be the best amongst other 4 Polytechnics offering the same course.

Entry into the Diploma in Film, Sound & Video and the Advanced Diploma in Film Production is strictly through the school's own admissions exercise, with the requirement of a recognized university degree or polytechnic diploma in order to qualify for the latter programme.

Entry into the Film, Sound and Video diploma programme is strictly only through the process of Direct Admissions Exercise/JPSAE, whereby a written test & interview is required. There are typically 80 places for admissions for each academic year.

New diplomas
Three new diploma courses were introduced to Ngee Ann in 2006: Multimedia & Animation, Pharmacy, and Tourism & Resort Management. This brings the total number of diplomas offered in Ngee Ann Polytechnic to 34.

In Academic Year 2007/2008, Ngee Ann Polytechnic announced that five new full-time diploma courses will be added, bringing the tally to 39 diplomas offered across all fields. The five new diplomas are: Psychology & Community Services, Digital Visual Effects, Audio-visual Technology, Aerospace Electronics and Environmental & Water Technology.

Interdisciplinary curriculum
The Ngee Ann Learning Model takes centrestage in the curriculum of the polytechnic. Students from all faculties are required to take up Interdisciplinary Studies modules in each of the five domains: Communications, Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, Media and the Arts, Science and Technology. As such, NP graduates are well-sought after by prospective employers who want all-rounded graduates with strong knowledge in their areas of specialization.

Mobile eLearning
The use of notebook computers has become an integral part of the learning experience in NgeeAnn. It gives students the flexibility to work on assignments, surf the Internet for information, access module web-sites, participate in online discussions, and communicate with tutors and classmates through email at convenience, both on and off campus.

Blackboard is the web platform being used for Mobile eLearning.

The only courses that do not require students to have their own notebook computers are Horticulture & Landscaping Management & Health Sciences (Nursing).

Students enrolled in Film & Media Studies courses, and students enrolled in Multimedia & Animation course (ICT) are required to own Apple notebook computers.

Alumni
The School of Film & Media Studies has produced prominent professionals in radio and television production, advertising and public relations, film and video, and journalism industries.

Graduates from the Diploma in Film, Sound and Video

 * Leslie Low - frontman for The Observatory
 * Bertrand Lee - notable short film director
 * Jason Lai & Zaihirat Banu - founders of Oak3 Films, a notable television production house
 * Leonard Yip - film director and FMS lecturer
 * Anthony Chen - first Singapore filmmaker to win an award in Cannes

Graduates from the Diploma in Mass Communications

 * Jean Danker - radio presenter with Mediacorp Radio
 * Tzang Merwyn Tong - award-winning filmmaker of A Wicked Tale
 * Vernetta Lopez - prominent film and television actress
 * Cheryl Fox - news presenter with MediaCorp News
 * Jamie Yeo - former radio presenter with Mediacorp Radio and current ESPN Star Sports presenter