IPOS to Join Hands with IP Academy and Local Polytechnics to Create IP curriculum For Polytechnic students

Singapore, 24 April 2006 – Polytechnic students in Singapore can look forward to the inclusion of an Intellectual Property (IP) related curriculum in the near future with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today between IPOS, IPA and the local polytechnics, namely, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Republic Polytechnic (RP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP).

The MOU marks the commencement of a joint capability development programme which aims to equip teaching staff of each Polytechnic with the fundamentals of IP that covers topics such as IP protection and application, management and effective exploitation of IP. The topics covered will assist the teaching staff in implementing IP into their respective Polytechnic syllabus. The programme will commence between June 2006 and Dec 2007 and will consist of at least twenty (20) hours of training. At least 30 academic staff per Polytechnic is expected to benefit from the programme.

Encouraged by the support of local polytechnics, Ms Liew Woon Yin, Director-General of IPOS is confident that with the wide adoption of the IP curriculum, the training will enable a steady flow of talent to service our budding creative and other IP intensive industries,

“We are moving beyond a knowledge based economy to one based on creativity. By incorporating IP into the curriculum for tertiary institutions, we will help prepare our young talent for future realities in a global marketplace where knowledge in IP and its application will be their competitive edge.”

The MOU, the first of its kind in Singapore, signify a committed joint effort in promoting IP as part of the formal education system. Teaching staff from each Polytechnic will be required to attend a series of lectures under the training programme developed by IPOS and IPA. Upon completion of the programme, IPOS will provide support to teaching staff to assist Polytechnics in rolling out their IP curriculum.

The MOU also targets technology transfer managers within each Polytechnic to help them build up their IP management competencies.

For media enquiry, please contact:

Melanie Koh
Corporate Communications
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
DID: +65 6331 6574
Mobile: +65 9796 1015
Fax: +65 6331 6562
Email: Melanie_KOH@ipos.gov.sg
Visit us at www.ipos.gov.sg

About IPOS
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore or IPOS is the lead government agency that formulates and regulates Intellectual Property (IP) laws, promotes IP awareness and provides the infrastructure to facilitate the greater development of IP in Singapore. With IP fast becoming a critical resource in today’s new economy, IPOS’s vision is to foster a creative Singapore where ideas and intellectual efforts are valued, developed and exploited. Formerly known as the Registry of Trade Marks and Patents, IPOS was established as a statutory board of the Ministry of Law on 1 April 2001. More information on IPOS can be found on www.ipos.gov.sg.

About IP Academy
The Academy was established in January 2003 to be the focal point for intellectual property education and research in Singapore. It plays a key role in developing and broadening knowledge and capabilities in IP creation, exploitation, protection and management.

The Academy provides continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities for IP professionals, businesses, research institutions and other IP creators/users in Singapore and the region. It conducts short-term IP courses, executive seminars and other post-graduate certification programmes such as the Graduate Certificate in IP Law and the MSc in IP Management. It also conducts quality inter-disciplinary research on IP to provide unique and commercial insights on IP issues for industry and to support local and regional development of best practices and policy in relation to IP issues.

About Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) is a modern educational institution that provides quality education and training in IT, engineering, design, chemical & life sciences, business management and health sciences. The Polytechnic establishes and maintains strong links with industry through partnerships, collaborations and development of programmes, industry projects & services. With the mission to prepare its graduates for life and work, NYP has continuously been involved in numerous projects in cutting edge technology, to keep pace with the technological developments and demands of the industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyp.edu.sg.

About Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Ngee Ann Polytechnic is one of Singapore’s leading institutions of higher learning. The Polytechnic offers both business-related and technology-based diploma and advanced diploma programmes. The Polytechnic aims to provide relevant, balanced and value-added curricula by creating an effective teaching and learning environment. A key thrust for the Polytechnic is forging partnerships with industry and other institutions in order to keep students close to current industry and market practices. For more information, please visit http://www.np.edu.sg.

About Republic Polytechnic
The first educational institution in Singapore to adopt the Problem-Based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic has five schools offering nineteen diploma courses in Information & Communications Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, Technology for the Arts, and Sports, Health & Leisure. Republic Polytechnic is committed to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial learning in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills and a life-long learning attitude. Its holistic, broad-based curriculum, covering culture, enterprise development and cognitive processes, prepares students for an active and meaningful role in society. Republic Polytechnic strives for excellence by achieving various national and international accreditations, including People Developer Standards, ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001, Family Friendly Employer award, Singapore Quality Class, Singapore Innovation Class, and the Singapore Health Awards (Silver). For more information, visit http://www.rp.sg.

About Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic, the nation’s first educational institution of its kind, was set up in 1954 to train technologists and professionals to support the industrialisation and economic development of Singapore. Since then, its development has paralleled the progress of modern Singapore.

Singapore Polytechnic has produced more than 130,000 graduates, some of whom have gone on to become Parliamentarians, captains of industries, senior executives of multi-national corporations, and successful entrepreneurs and professionals in Singapore and overseas.

Over 16,000 full-time and part-time students are pursuing a total of 62 diploma and post-diploma courses in its Schools of Business, Chemical and Life Sciences, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The Built Environment, Media & Info-Communications Technology, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, and the Singapore Maritime Academy.

About Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a significant contributor to the field of para-professional education in Singapore. It is a pioneer in Problem-based Learning (PBL). The PBL concept forms the cornerstone of the Polytechnic's educational philosophy to prepare school-leavers adequately for the world of work and a future of dynamic change. The Polytechnic is a firm believer in forging partnerships with industry to keep students close to current industry practice. TP currently offers 38 full-time diploma courses in the areas of Applied Science, Business, Design, Engineering and Information Technology and over 40 part-time courses, up to the Advanced Diploma level. For more information, please visit www.tp.edu.sg.

Annex

Quotes from Polytechnic Signatories

Nanyang Polytechnic

“This collaboration with IPOS will enhance our appreciation of the various processes involved in IP protection and development. The shared knowledge will enable our staff to impart this knowledge to our students more effectively. We appreciate the support of IPOS and will continue to explore opportunities to promote the importance of IP protection and development.”

Mr Edward Ho
Deputy Principal/Technology

Republic Polytechnic

“Intellectual Property (IP) is crucial to the development of Singapore in a rapidly changing and globally connected society. We need to create an environment which provides safeguards to protect creativity so that more innovative ideas will be brought to market.

To create and maintain a strong IP framework, qualified people are needed. Republic Polytechnic is proud to be a part of this initiative to develop IP capability in Singapore. Today’s signing of the MOU is a momentous first step towards developing human capital to support an IP framework which will spur greater creativity and innovations. Republic Polytechnic’s management and staff are excited and will work with our partners IPOS and IP Academy, to promote the awareness on IP usage, creation, maintenance and exploitation for our staff and students.”

Prof Low Teck Seng
Principal and CEO

Singapore Polytechnic

“Intellectual property has been important assets of individual organisations and educational institutions, like Singapore Polytechnic. It is therefore critical for our staff and students to have good knowledge on intellectual property. The MOU is a timely initiative by IPOS and IP Academy. The collaboration with IPOS and IP Academy will help the Polytechnic to equip our lecturers and students with good IP knowledge.”

Mr Low Wong Fook
Principal

Temasek Polytechnic

“In a knowledge-based economy that depends heavily on information & innovation, the youth of today need to know from very early how to create, manage and protect IP effectively. Temasek Polytechnic offers a Diploma programme in Law & Management and the teaching of IP has been incorporated not only in the Law programme but in other courses as well. We will continue to develop and leverage our staff capability to support and contribute to this national initiative. This MOU is testament to our commitment to work with our partners, IPA & IPOS to achieve this.”

Mr Boo Kheng Hua
Principal and CEO