SHOWING WE CARE

Regardless of how big or small their contributions may seem, our students are taught that they can make a positive difference to the lives of others. These are life lessons, and at TP, they are brought to the forefront of learning.

Temasek Design School has embarked on a timely initiative to focus their design efforts in 2007 on the needs of the elderly. It has identified the need for practical design outcomes for this group to improve the quality of their lives. This is the School’s first major initiative along a social theme, which was chosen to recognise the fact that issues concerning the elderly have reached national significance. A coffee table book, titled “>60”, and a CD featuring 101 design ideas for the elderly by students marked the start of the initiative.

TP was deeply involved in a unique project to set up a sustainable system to better the lives of overseas communities by giving them a source of clean water, educating them in the basics of nutrition, and providing them with books so that they develop the reading habit. The project entailed the collaborative efforts of various Schools and Departments at TP to achieve the targets. Themed “Water for Living, Books for Learning”, the programme was initiated by Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Ong Kian Min and Nominated MP Ms Eunice Olsen, together with the Girls’ Brigade. The first community helped was in Cambodia, in June 2006, with other communities in Laos and Kalimantan targeted for future efforts.

Two other major community projects in Cambodia were carried out in this year by TP students and staff. In the first project, about 20 students and two staff designed, fabricated and installed a rainwater harvesting device and a solar fruit dryer in Hope Village in the town of Prey Veng. In the second project, 13 students and two lecturers went to Kampong Speu, where they installed security lighting and 50 energy-saving lamps and e-ballasts for a student centre, and also conducted IT training for its youths.

When an Orchard Road busker came to TP to seek help, our staff could not say no to him. The busker of several years had lost the use of his unamputated arm following an accident, making it impossible for him to work the musical box that accompanies his performance. The request resulted in an ingenious collaboration between staff and students from the Engineering and Design Schools. Together, they came up with a trolley-moveable table using light weight materials that allows the busker to operate the musical instrument with his leg.

TP’s Community Service Club organised the Cranes to Grains Road Show in January 2007 in support of the Southeast Community Development Council’s goal to encourage the spirit of giving among organisations. Song He Fragrance Rice donated a bowl of rice (100g) to the needy for every folded paper crane. More than 47 thousand paper cranes were folded by TP staff, students and even visitors to our Open House which resulted in 4.7 tonnes of rice being donated to
the needy.

The Campus Care Network Day is an annual TP-wide event to raise funds for financially needy students. In this review year, the event saw 231 stalls set up by staff and students on campus and raised over $28,000. In an almost carnival-like atmosphere, the event showcased the abundant spirit of caring embodied in this proud TP tradition.

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