where the WORLD
BECKONS
The world,
we know, is growing increasingly complex, with labour
and capital becoming ever more internationally mobile.
TP is fully aware that students and staff can only
stay ahead and relevant if we can engage, and are
engaged by, global developments.
Developing a global perspective
TP has launched
several initiatives that are designed to develop a
global perspective among our students, to enable them
to be more culturally savvy and build international
friendships, while making them more open to the idea
of working abroad. International experiences for students
include being sent overseas on industry internships
or exchange programmes, their exposure to international
students on campus, and going on overseas community
service or study trips.
overseas ATTACHMENTS
This
year, 121 students were sent abroad on industry attachments
to countries such as Australia, India, China, Vietnam,
Japan, Europe and the USA. Such attachments enable
them to develop an understanding of the unique demands
of working in different cultural settings, and experience
working with industry leaders, first-hand. For example,
a Product & Industrial Design student was attached
to one of Japan’s top car accessory design companies,
Hayashi Telempu from October to November 2005. Hayashi
Telempu is one of the leading suppliers of automotive
interior and exterior parts in Japan, with global
sales exceeding US$850 million. After his return,
the student continued to be engaged by the company
for projects on a freelance basis.
nurturing GLOBAL
CITIZENS
To
have even more students get a better understanding
of global issues, we launched a cross-disciplinary
subject (CDS) called Global Citizenship in this year.
The subject has taken students on experiential learning
trips to Vietnam and China. In every way, it goes
beyond classroom learning, getting students to articulate
their experiences as global citizens and reflect on
their personal attitudes towards international issues.
Another CDS introduced in the year was Plugging Into
the China Connections, aimed at giving advantage to
students who intend to have future dealings with China.
The modules will give them a better mastery of Chinese-English
bilingual business terminology and a good appreciation
of Chinese history that will serve as useful cultural
and language backgrounds.
bringing THE
WORLD TO TP
From
June to July 2005, the world was brought to TP at
the inaugural Global Connect Festival (GCF). To raise
awareness among staff and students of the importance
of being engaged in the global network, the GCF included
country-focused seminars, exhibitions, travelogues,
a food festival and many other
events with an international flavour. It also saw
the launch of the Global Connect Club, a student interest
group aimed at encouraging them to play active roles
as TP’s international ambassadors. It has brought
some of its members on learning trips abroad, and
given opportunities to more of them to host guests
from all over the world on campus and attend seminars
on youth and international affairs. The Club has become
so popular with students that within six months of
establishment, membership grew to 450.
plugging into GLOBAL
NETWORKS
Our
efforts to develop our students’ global mindsets
are only possible when the institution itself is plugged
into global networks and developments. As such, TP
works to develop and expand our strategic alliances
with partners around the world as they enable us to
extend our global reach, open up new opportunities
for sharing and enriching our expertise, as well as
facilitate student and staff exchanges and attachments.
Such partners in this year included the Culinary Institute
of America, the Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Administration,
Lincoln University of New Zealand, the Nagoya University
of Arts in Japan, the Secretariat for Education of
the State of Jalisco in Mexico, and the University
of Hawaii’s School of Travel Industry Management.
developing a global
perspective | helping our neighbours
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