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Singapore Polytechnic

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Singapore Polytechnic

Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is a post-secondary education institution and statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Education in Singapore.

Established in 1954, SP is the first and oldest polytechnic in Singapore, and is renowned for its engineering programmes. Its first site at Prince Edward Road was vacated by 1978; SP is now based at Dover, Singapore, and is currently the largest Polytechnic in Singapore.

The idea of establishing a polytechnic in Singapore was first proposed in August 1951 by the Technical Association of Malaya's Singapore branch (now known as Technological Association Malaysia). An ad-hoc committee, chaired by educationist Thio Chan Bee, petitioned the government in 1952 for the creation of a fully-equipped polytechnic to address the shortage of skilled workers.

In January 1953, then-Governor Sir John F. Nicoll appointed a committee to investigate the feasibility of the polytechnic. This committee was tasked with determining the curriculum, estimating costs and equipment needs, and evaluating the institution's integration into Singapore's existing education system.

The 13-member committee, chaired by Professor E. H. G. Dobby from the University of Malaya, submitted the Dobby Report to the government on 17 September 1953. This report defined a polytechnic as an institution offering part-time technical and professional training primarily for employed individuals, with potential for full-time programs.

The report highlighted the need for a polytechnic to equip local workers with modern skills, prepare them for managerial roles, and establish a centralized training system. However, concerns about high costs and Singapore's small population were noted.

Two surveys were conducted to assess training needs. Based on the findings, the committee recommended a polytechnic for at least 2,000 part-time students, with an annual capacity for 500 full-time students. Proposed departments included Commerce, Engineering, Management, Architecture and the Applied Arts, and Vocation Training in Language and Science, with English as the medium of instruction.

Based on the recommendations of the Dobby Report, the Singapore Polytechnic Report was presented on 10 May 1954 to the government of Singapore by A. W. Gibson, then-principal of Dudley and Staffordshire Technical College (now known as Dudley College).

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