Established in the year 2002, Republic Polytechnic (RP) has successfully pursued its strategic thrusts to successfully place itself as an educational, technological and cultural hub. Republic Polytechnic is currently one of Singapore's five polytechnics that have a student population of over 12,000 with more than 700 full-time staff.

Through the Ministry of Education Singapore, Republic Polytechnic offers tuition grant of 80%. The minimum pre-requisite criterion for application requires that students have 'A' passes or distinctions in English, Mathematics and Science along with two Credits for any of the other subjects at their Ordinary Level Examinations. Short listed students, meeting the minimum entry requirements will then be required to sit for an entrance assessment.

A seminar will be held at the Queens Hotel in Kandy on the 20th of February and at the Renuka Hotel in Colombo on the 21st of February to provide information those who are interested in joining Republic Polytechnic. Millennium Concepts who is appointed as a Singapore Education Specialist ("SE") by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will be the facilitator for this seminar. The Sunday Education Times spoke to Mr. Suresh Kumar, Director of Millennium Concepts and Ms. Christina Chan, Assistant Director, Office of International Relations of Republic Polytechnic Singapore to find out more about what Republic Polytechnic has to offer Sri Lankan students.

"Millennium Concepts provides accurate and relevant information to international students intending to study in Singapore. Our corporate mission is to provide the best professional match to suit your individual profile whilst ensuring the right assistance for your needs", says Mr. Suresh Kumar.
Speaking on the benefits offered to students, Ms. Chan said, "The diploma is a three-year course of study. Under the tuition grant scheme, students upon completing their course of study, will be required to serve the bond by working for a Singapore or Singapore registered company for three years. For those who want to continue onto a degree progamme, there are opportunities for them to be articulated to both local universities in Singapore as well as universities in countries like Australia, UK and US.

The Republic Polytechnic already has a significant Sri Lankan student population where a majority of them have already gained employment even prior to graduation. Serving the work bond is a unique opportunity for overseas students to gain international work experience which is a rare opportunity.
"A majority of our Sri Lankan students show a keen interest in the areas of Engineering, Information technology (IT) as well as Applied Sciences.

Those who are already enrolled with us are doing very well and have integrated themselves remarkably well with the other local students. 8% of our student population comprises of international students from countries such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia. This enables students not only to experience Singapore but also allows them to gain insight and understanding of other countries and their cultures as well", further stated Ms. Chan.

The Republic Polytechnic comprises of 6 schools offering different areas of study which include the School of Engineering, School of Applied Sciences, School of Information and Communications Technology, School of Hospitality, School of Sports, Health and Leisure Management and the School of Technology for the Arts, where a total of 33 different courses of study are offered.

For more information, please contact Millennium Concepts (Pvt) Ltd, 225-3/2, Galle Road Colombo 4 (Adjoining Visaka Road, Bambalapitiya). Telephone: 011 7392 555 or 0773 40 50 60.