Annual Report 2023/24

Highlights of the Year

CHECK OUT OUR NEW TP VENTURES AND INITIATIVES

TP’s sustainability journey is guided by the Five Pillars of the Sustainability Committee. These pillars represent different aspects of TP’s sustainability efforts within the campus, student body, and broader communities. Specifically in curriculum, sustainability concepts are extensively incorporated. This is to empower all TP students with comprehensive green skills so that they can be advocates for sustainability in any sector they join. Additionally, TP actively supports SMEs in their sustainability journey, providing assistance, in areas like carbon accounting, baselining, and implementing solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.​TP’s top highlights include:  

Pillar 1: Academic & Curriculum

40 sustainability-related PET core and elective subjects

Sustainability & Climate Action (SCA) delivered for PET students as a foundational subject

75 sustainability-related CET subjects/courses

Pillar 2: Research & Innovation

Secured over 70 sustainability-related projects of which 9 were environmental and food-sustainability-related innovation projects

Attained over $800,000 in sustainability-related research grants

Achieved over $100,000 in sustainability-related licensing revenue

Achieved over $200,000 in sustainability-related industry projects

Pillar 3: Facilities & Operations

24.4% reduction in Energy Utilisation Index*

29.1% reduction in Water Efficiency Index*

3.9% reduction in Scope 2 Emissions from FY2022

Pillar 4: Engagement & Well-being

Awarded the People’s Association Community Spirit (Excellence) Award

86% overall organisation Employee Engagement Survey score

Zero reported cases of major injuries and fatalities

Pillar 5: Strategy & Compliance

Zero reported cases of corruption, bribery and information security breach

Embarked on TP’s first climate-related disclosures

Implemented green procurement criteria for tender processes

* Compared to the baseline year being the average of FY2018–2020 levels

Learn more about our sustainability efforts, activities and achievements in TP’s first-ever Sustainability Report. To view the report, visit www.tp.edu.sg/sustainabilityreport.

Sustainability took centre stage at the TP-ECOllab Symposium 2023: Enabling Green Resilience. TP’s first-ever flagship sustainability event highlighted our commitment to enabling, advancing, and elevating green and sustainability practices with our partners in the public and private sectors. The programme featured:

Insightful addresses and sharing sessions

Eight industry leaders, such as Dr Bicky Bhangu (pictured), President of UN Global Compact Network Singapore, shared invaluable insights on implementing key sustainability strategies, adopting green procurement procedures, and leveraging technology for sustainability reporting.

TP’s sustainability showcase

This fashion collection, made from pre-loved designer dresses and repurposed materials from retired Singapore Airlines aircraft, was among the many eye-catching exhibits on display. Others included an artificial tree that excels at carbon dioxide absorption, and a project on extracting eco-friendly colours from food waste.

A special tea break menu

Chefs and culinary students from TP’s Bistro Lab Cafeteria & Bakery and Temasek Culinary Academy treated visitors to a unique spread of alternative protein dishes such as Coconut Choux with Mango Passionfruit Coulis, Eco-okara Wholemeal Rendang Buns and NoMince Pie Tee White Miso Cream Seaweed Caviar.

Launched in January 2024, the Interactive Digital Experiments with AI Studio (IDEAS) is supported by Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and Stuck Design. The studio actively seeks partnership opportunities with leading companies in design and technology to engage in real-world projects, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to current industry practices. IDEAS has also organised GenAI demonstrations and conducted customised workshops and learning journeys to train more than 500 industry professionals this year.

TP also collaborated with Singapore Management University to co-develop an online course,  Effective Learning with Generative AI, featuring a series of micro-learning modules. The first of these was rolled out in October 2023 on POLITEMall, and staff and students from the five polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education can access this online learning platform to self-enrol and learn to use GenAI tools ethically and effectively.

TP forged a multi-partnership agreement with the Environmental Management Association of Singapore, LS 2 Holdings, Karcher, Nilfisk, Cleantools, and Republic Power to establish a new TP facility, the Enviro Tech Innovation Hub at TP campus (ETIH@TP)—a space for developing, testing, and sharing industrial best practices with industry partners, trade associations, Institutes of Higher Learning, and government agencies. ETIH@TP will also design and offer CET courses and programmes to upskill Singapore's cleaning industry workforce.

In June 2023, we partnered with Metro Farm to establish an aquaponic farm atop TP's Centre for Aquaculture & Veterinary Science building. This sustainable venture advances TP's farm-to-fork initiative and integrates intelligent sensors and controllers to optimise production rates. It is also an invaluable learning and experimentation space for student-led projects.

We then supported the launch of Metro Farm's newest rooftop aquaponic operations at Downtown East in September 2023. Attended by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, TP showcased the effectiveness of our sustainable farming project by distributing more than 50 packs of freshly harvested vegetables from our rooftop farm.

We launched the TP-Omron Proof of Concept Advanced Automation Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility outfitted with various industrial robots and automation platforms, to assist companies in their digitalisation and sustainability transformation journeys. Supported by SkillsFuture Singapore, the hub also equips adult learners and industry practitioners with new skills needed to excel in emerging roles within the Advanced Manufacturing sector.

In 2020, TP's Robotics & Automation Centre embarked on an autonomous mobile robot project for NTUC Health. The project culminated with the successful deployment of two robots at a nursing home in Chai Chee in November 2023. They assist with everyday tasks such as laundry and food deliveries, freeing up nurses and healthcare workers to focus on enriching the quality of care for the home's residents.

TP collaborated with the Design Education Advisory Committee to host the inaugural National Design Project 2023. Over 200 primary, secondary, and pre-university students eagerly attended a Design Thinking workshop led by TP's School of Design lecturers and received expert guidance from mentors in the creative industry. TP received 50 creative team submissions in response to the challenge theme, Design for Wellness. Of these, 21 projects were selected and displayed at the 2023 Design Education Summit.

In September 2023, the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) appointed TP to establish a training partner consortium alongside Generation Singapore and Republic Polytechnic. This consortium focuses on three high-demand areas—software engineering, AI and analytics, and cloud mobility—to equip adult learners and working professionals with the skills to harness AI's transformative potential and stay ahead in these rapidly evolving technologies.

TP launched Blaze Your Own Trail, a joint initiative with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to promote science and technology to secondary school students. The pilot run saw participants from Ngee Ann Secondary School and Dunman Secondary School engaging in a three-day STEM-related challenge. The challenge culminated in their confident presentations, witnessed by SUTD’s provost, Professor Phoon Kok Kwang (pictured fourth from left).

TP inked a Memorandum of Understanding with AI Singapore, the national AI initiative established to strengthen Singapore's AI competencies in the Digital Economy. This partnership will help equip TP students with fundamental AI skills and provide staff and students free access to the AI for Industry (AI4I) certified course, Foundations in AI.

DISCOVER OUR ILLUSTRIOUS TP PRIDE

TP’s School of Design (DES) clinched a seventh consecutive “Institution of the Year” title at the 2023 Crowbar Awards. Our future designers and creatives bagged an impressive haul, including one Best of Category, five Gold, 21 Silver and 21 Bronze awards, and 34 Finalist positions. TP's School of Business (BUS) also added to TP's total tally with two Bronze award wins, marking the first time BUS secured a podium finish at the Crowbar Awards.

Dr Sun Ling Ling (centre) from TP’s Healthcare Engineering Centre was honoured with the Crescendas Medal and Prize for Outstanding Applied Physics Researcher (Polytechnics) at the 2023 Institute of Physics Singapore (IPS) Awards. As the only recipient among the five polytechnics, Dr Sun's groundbreaking work in biosensors, microfluidics, and flexible and wearable sensors earned her this prestigious accolade.

Darren Ong (centre) from TP's Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics was conferred the Future Leaders in Tech 2023 Award by the Singapore Computer Society (SCS). The award recognises young people aged 30 and below who have shown sustained commitment to infocomm and digital media and have made a difference with their contributions.

TP’s School of Engineering students drove their hydrogen fuel cell-powered TP Eco Flash car to victory at the 2023 Shell Eco-Marathon (Asia Pacific Middle East) Regional Competition.

This impressive win led them to represent Singapore and the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions at the Shell Eco-Marathon World Championship in India, in October 2023.

KIWI, produced by a team of students from TP’s Diploma in Digital Film & Television, claimed two trophies at the 2023 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF). Ezekiel Chee (director, pictured left) and Melody Tan (producer, pictured right) headed to Canada to receive the Best Student Film and Best Photography awards. Their film, which featured a blind youth as the fearless protagonist, competed with other finalists from Brazil, China, Nigeria, Israel, India, Spain, and the United Kingdom. 

In addition to dominating the annual Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Games and the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games, our athletes excelled in various tournaments this year, including:

Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2023

49 TP students and alumni, including TP alumnus and Team Singapore swimmer Darren Chua (extreme left), represented Singapore in 22 sports at SEA Games 2023. They contributed three Gold, three Silver, and eight Bronze medals to Team Singapore's total medal tally.

Inter-tertiary, Polytechnic and ITE Karate Championship 2023

TP’s martial artists pitted their skills against the other Institutes of Higher Learning, winning 11 Gold, 11 Silver, and 23 Bronze medals across all categories, and securing the overall champion position too!

Polytechnic-ITE 7s Grand Final

Held alongside the HSBC International Rugby 7s Tournament at the Singapore National Stadium in April 2023, our TP boys triumphed in the finals with a score of 24-5 to claim the trophy!

The annual Public Sector Transformation (PST) Awards honours agencies and officers who have demonstrated exemplary service delivery and innovation efforts. In 2023, TP received six individual awards in four award categories—the most among Post-Secondary Education Institutions this year!

Dare to Do Award

Led by Dr Gao Zuchang (standing, extreme left), our TP School of Engineering team received this award for embracing risks, seeking innovation, showing resilience despite difficulties, and achieving success for their work in Lithium Battery Management and Material Recycling.

Exemplary Innovator Award

Mr Kumbar Shankarappa (second from right) received this award for injecting innovation into his work and passionately guiding students to create helpful solutions for the community.

Exemplary SkillsFuture @ Public Service Award

This award recognises exemplary officers who have embodied the spirit of continuous learning and skills upgrading of self and others. TP’s three recipients in 2023 were:

Dr Leong Meng Fatt, from TP’s Strategic & Quality Development department (extreme right)

Mr Wong Nee Tat, from TP’s School of Business (extreme left)

Mr Aubrey Koh, from TP’s Sustainability Committee (first row, extreme left)


Exemplary Service Excellence Award (Individual)

Ms Tan Sok Ngin from TP's Student Support & Career Services department received this award for her impeccable dedication in providing extensive and crucial support to TP's staff and students, particularly in mental health and well-being.

 

Two WorldSkills competitions took place in Singapore this year. They were:

WorldSkills ASEAN Singapore 2023

From 23 to 25 July 2023, the best young talents from the region came together to compete in 22 skills areas. TP's participants performed admirably and contributed to Team Singapore's medal tally with three Bronze medals and two Medallions for Excellence.

WorldSkills Singapore 2023 (Phase 2)

Held across the five polytechnics from 27 to 30 September 2023, Team Temasek delivered an impressive performance, securing four Gold, three Silver, five Bronze medals, and three Medallions for Excellence.

For the third consecutive year, TP received the Silver Ribbon Mental Health Award in the School Institution category. This award recognises TP's unwavering commitment to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and providing vital support to our community members.

Staff and students from TP’s Diploma in Social Sciences in Gerontology received the Gold award at the HDB Community Day 2023. The award recognises their outstanding contributions to HDB’s Friends of Our Heartlands (FOH) programme, which embodies TP's commitment to holistic education and community engagement.

For our sustained efforts in co-creating and co-delivering programmes to strengthen community building and to bridge the government-to-people gap, TP was presented with the PA Community Spirit (Excellence) Award. We were honoured to receive the award from Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law.

BE AMAZED BY THE GENEROSITY OF OUR TP HEARTS

TP held two Campus Care Network (CCN) Days in May and November 2023. Staff and students set up over 190 stalls selling trinkets, items, snacks, and services, transforming our campus walkways into a fun, vibrant and bustling hub that raised almost $40,000 to support our students in need.

TP also launched the new TP CCN Meal Voucher Scheme in October 2023. Using RedeemSG, Singapore's national voucher distribution system, TP’s pilot run saw 50 students obtaining $400 worth of vouchers every semester. Through its efforts, CCN disbursed a total of $12,000 during this financial reporting year.

TP continued to build on and strengthen our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts this reporting year. Our #TPCares projects and initiatives included:

PROJECT REFRESH
(May and August 2023)

In partnership with North East Community Development Council, over 100 members of the TP Family cleaned, decluttered, and applied fresh coats of paint to nine homes of elderly and low-income residents in Tampines and Sengkang.

TP X =DREAMS
ENGAGE. ENRICH. EXPERIENCE
(June 2023)

TP expanded its Engage. Enrich. Experience programme this year to include a new beneficiary: =DREAMS, a unique weekday residential model supporting children from low-income households. We welcomed 12 =DREAMS Scholars to TP, providing them enriching workshop activities and taking them to tour our TP facilities.

LEARNING JOURNEY IN APPRECIATION OF TP VOLUNTEERS
(August 2023)

TP organised a guided tour of SG Enable's Enabling Village for our dedicated volunteers. The tour was conducted by six TP SENvocates—our student interest group that advocates for, and helps the Special Education Needs community.

TP X FOOD FROM THE HEART (TOY BUFFET)
(November 2023)

TP gathered over 200 diverse toy donations, pre-loved and new, from our generous staff in this collaboration. These toys were thoughtfully wrapped and distributed to approximately 2,500 children aged five to 13 from underprivileged backgrounds, spreading joy into their lives.

TP X PCWG
ENGAGE. ENRICH. EXPERIENCE
(December 2023)

For the fourth year running, the TP family united to organise another meaningful programme for the Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls (PCWG) residents. We welcomed 15 young women who enjoyed a range of activities planned and facilitated by over 150 staff and students from TP's various schools and departments.

TP X PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES
SENIOR BEFRIENDING PROGRAMME

Our team of 16 dedicated staff members continues to commit to at least one monthly visit for half a year to engage with seniors at Evergreen Circle Active Ageing Centre in Tampines.

Since embarking on this initiative in October 2022, our enthusiastic volunteers have conducted over 40 befriending sessions, bringing joy and companionship to the seniors under the care of Presbyterian Community Services.

#ChildrenforChildren—Art with a Heart is a fundraising initiative for less privileged children who face reading and writing challenges. It is led by Curious Thoughts Giving, a non-profit charitable organisation. TP’s performance arts group, TP Teatro, enthusiastically participated in this initiative, performing for their young audience at the Arts House.

Students from TP's Diploma in Food, Nutrition & Culinary Science collaborated with the Ministry of Social and Family Development's Social Service Office @ Tampines, Pasir Ris and Punggol on a project to develop healthy, tasty, and budget-friendly recipes for lower-income families. Their recipes were compiled into a booklet, and in July 2023, our students hosted a cooking demonstration and arranged a supermarket tour to guide participating families through exploring nutritious yet affordable options and decoding food labels.

In November 2023, we partnered with St. Andrew's Mission School (SAMS) for the Purple Parade contingent march at Suntec City to promote awareness and celebrate the abilities of persons with special needs. Our synchronised efforts showcased unity and solidarity, exemplifying a shared commitment across educational institutes to create a more inclusive society where everyone is celebrated and supported, regardless of ability.

In November 2023, almost 2,000 members of the TP Family gathered at TP's scenic Triangular Gardens in support of the South East Community Development Council's annual Walk for Rice campaign. For every 300 metres covered, the FairPrice Foundation pledged to donate three bowls of grains to vulnerable families in the South East district. TP rallied to clock a cumulative distance of 2,250km, which amounted to 22,500 bowls of grains!

PEEK INTO OUR WONDERFUL, HOLISTIC TP EXPERIENCE

At Temasek Launchpad—TP’s entrepreneurial talent hub that supports students and alumni harbouring the spirit of enterprise—we nurtured, empowered, and mentored 38 promising start-ups this year. They include:

Blind Mice Media

Co-founded by visually impaired TP Diploma in Marketing alumnus Josh Tseng, the start-up is an inclusive design and media marketing consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in Singapore. It received the prestigious Philip Yeo Initiative (PYI) $20,000 funding award, affirming its impactful efforts to create a more equitable society for differently-abled individuals.

Fortitude Culina

Founded by Aaron Yeoh (extreme right), TP’s Diploma in Electronics alumnus, the social enterprise dedicates itself to empowering individuals with disabilities through the transformative art of cooking. With TP's support, it has expanded its services and reached a wider audience, significantly impacting the community.

Datality Lab

Co-founded by Edwin Song, an alumnus of TP's Specialist Diploma in Data Science for Business, the start-up's flagship educational technology product, Moodie.ai, revolutionises communication training using multi-cognitive AI to replicate human coaching. This innovative approach gives them a unique edge in the industry.

Every year, TP students look forward to exploring diverse cultures and expanding their learning beyond their classrooms and our country's borders.

San Jose, California, USA

A group of TP's School of Informatics IT students went on an unforgettable American adventure. They discovered the history and stories of computing pioneers, AI innovators, cybersecurity experts, and Silicon Valley visionaries during their visits to the Computer Museum, Intel Museum, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Fortinet, Google, and Apple.

South Korea

Students from TP's School of Applied Science immersed themselves in South Korea's vibrant culture, visiting universities and healthcare, nutraceutical, and food industries in Busan, Jeonju, and Seoul. They gained invaluable industry knowledge and insights into potential further study options upon graduation from TP.

The United Kingdom (UK)

A group of students from Temasek LEAD, TP's talent development initiative, embarked on a two-week trip to the UK. They participated in experiential activities, workshops, and visits to London, Liverpool, and Bristol, gaining insights into the UK's cross-cultural, socio-economic, and political landscapes.

Thailand

The TP Men's and Women's Volleyball teams participated in the TP x Chulalongkorn University Overseas Sports Training Camp in Bangkok. They exchanged best practices in volleyball, gained insights from an institution renowned for its sporting excellence, participated in friendly matches, and forged cross-cultural friendships with their Thai counterparts.

Indonesia

Student leaders from TP's performing arts CCAs embarked on an Overseas Arts Leadership Study Trip to Solo and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They visited music galleries, batik and art museums, and antique markets. They also explored vanishing art forms like Wayang Orang and Ramayana Ballet, gaining insights into how traditional art forms can adapt to modern times.

Like our students, TP staff headed overseas to enrich their knowledge, share their professional expertise, and keep their industry skills up to date.

International Technology, Education and Development (INTED2024) Conference

Held in Valencia, Spain, a staff quartet from TP’s Learning Academy department and the Schools of Applied Science and Business showcased two innovative educational technology initiatives in their presentation, Enhancing Student Experience with Edu Bots.

They demonstrated the integration of QBot, a chatbot within the Microsoft Teams application, and Intelligent Agents, a feature in the learning management system Brightspace, and how they boost student engagement and learning outcomes.

Generative AI for the Creative Industries Conference and the London Design Festival

A staff team from TP’s School of Design and Corporate Communications department attended two seminal events in London, England, to stay at the forefront of design and technology education.

At the Generative AI for the Creative Industries Conference, they gleaned crucial insights into ethical AI adoption and content strategies from a distinguished panel from Paramount Global, Amazon Global, and BBC.

Subsequently, at the London Design Festival, they immersed themselves in the latest trends and innovations showcased through a rich tapestry of exhibitions, installations, and workshops.

First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University

Mr Zhang Pengchi (pictured right) from TP’s School of Applied Science, embarked on a three-month attachment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in China.

He underwent training in various echocardiographic techniques and procedures. This immersive experience significantly enhanced his expertise and was instrumental in developing the new Cardiology Technology elective cluster for TP's Diploma in Medical Biotechnology.

Ageing Asia

Two of our colleagues from TP's School of Humanities & Social Sciences travelled to Fukuoka, Japan, to attend the Ageing Asia Professional Training programme: Future of Ageing.

Mr Sam Sim and Ms Geetika Gupta learned about the city's community-based care model and explored the adoption of data analytics, technology, and collaborative partnerships with healthcare and government sectors. Armed with invaluable insights, they returned with strategies to enhance TP's role in Singapore's Care Economy.

TP's inaugural Learning Fest—a synergistic amalgamation of learning events by our Learning Academy and Staff Capability Department—sparked staff enthusiasm for professional development and continuous learning. Professor Lim Sun Sun from Singapore Management University delivered an enlightening keynote titled Personal Tutor in My Pocket? The Future of Education in the Era of Generative AI.