About Us

Established in April 1990, Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a significant contributor to the field of para-professional education in Singapore. Situated in the east of the island, the campus sits on a 30-hectare plot of land fronting the scenic Bedok Reservoir.

Our campus at Tampines Avenue 1.

TP currently offers 50 full-time three-year diploma courses in the areas of applied sciences, business, design, engineering, humanities and social sciences, and informatics and IT to around 15,000 students. We also offer over 40 part-time courses, up to the Advanced Diploma level. Our diploma courses are recognised by more than 200 universities, both local and overseas, for the purposes of advanced standing towards degree studies.

Our students undergo a learning system that is holistic, equipping them with life skills and relevant knowledge that can keep them in good stead as they join the workforce. Since 1997, TP has been a champion of the Problem-based Learning approach which promotes independent study, self-reflection and creative thinking - qualities that will give our graduates a distinct advantage over others in an ever-changing economic landscape.

TP has also collaborated with the Sentosa Leisure Group to establish the Tourism Academy @ Sentosa. The Academy is our satellite campus that brings training to life for our students in the areas of hospitality and tourism.

For our commitment to world-class education, we have received the People Developer Standard, the Singapore Quality Class, ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certifications, the Public Service Excellence Award and the Singapore Family Friendly Employer Award.

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A Brief History

The history of TP began in June 1989 when Dr Tony Tan, then Minister of Education, praised the value of a polytechnic education in a speech, and announced that a third polytechnic was being seriously considered.

The old campus at Grange Road.

Development of the permanent premises at Tampines.

Barely two years later, in July 1990, TP was a reality with an initial enrolment of 735 students.

With its permanent premises yet to be built, TP was granted use of the Baharuddin Vocational Institute’s premises at Stirling Road and the vacated premises of Raffles Institution at Grange Road. By 1995, due to increased enrolment and new courses, TP had acquired three more campuses at Kim Seng, Bukit Merah and Portsdown Road. Finally, in September 1995, it moved to its permanent location in Tampines - a state-of-the-art 30-hectare campus set in picturesque surroundings beside the serene Bedok Reservoir in the east of Singapore.

TP’s very first prospectus saw it offering four diploma courses in graphic design, product design, interior design and business.

The first three were programmes originally conducted at BVI which had already established a solid reputation as a forerunner in design education in Singapore. A new course leading to a Diploma in Business was created from scratch together with a new School of Business.

In its second year, TP introduced new courses in electronics, information technology, mechatronics, tourism management and logistics & operations management. It was clear that the new polytechnic was carving a strategy to find new niches and pre-empt new market demands - a practice it continues till today.

Within just five years, the number of first-choice applicants in 1995 increased by an overwhelming 116 percent over the 1994 figure to 3,159 applicants. Enrolment had increased from 735 in 1990 to 5,443 in 1995. Today, TP’s student population stands at over 15,000.

By being fast on its feet and swift to start new and imaginative courses, TP has managed to meet both the changing needs in Singapore’s industries as well as the areas of interest of students. Not surprisingly, it stands today as a forerunner in technical education in Singapore.

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Logo

Reflecting the name "Temasek", which is the first undisputed recorded name of a settlement in Singapore, the Polytechnic’s logo reflects the spirit of Singapore. The word "Singapore” itself is derived from a Sanskrit term meaning the Lion City.

The logo depicts a stylised picture of a lion face. The symmetrical layout indicates the sound foundation for the goals. It consists of an open book representing knowledge, a central "T" as a torch for enlightenment, glory and hope. It also represents a sword for righteousness. The ascending staircases represent multiple entry points into the Polytechnic as well as indicate that education is a life-long, continual process.

Red is the corporate colour which gives the logo the likeness of an authoritative seal, giving it an aura of distinction - the hallmark of Temasek Polytechnic.

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Origins of "Temasek”

Temasek or Tumasik is the first undisputed recorded name of a settlement in Singapore. Previous references are fragmentary and could have referred to any island or settlement in the area.

In the late 13th century, the Venetian traveller, Marco Polo, makes reference to Chiamassie, which could be Temasek. Writing later in 1330, Wang Ta-Yuan mentioned the war between Tumasik and Siam in his book, Tao Yi Tchih Lueh. He recorded Tumasik as Tan-Ma-Hsi in Mandarin, which in the Hokkien dialect is pronounced Tan-Ma-Siak.

It is also mentioned in Admiral Cheng Ho's chart of the area as Tan-Ma-Hsi, but in different characters with the Hokkien pronunciation Tam-Ma-Siak, which is closer to Tumasik.

The actual word Tumasik is first seen in the Javanese record Nagarakretagama written in 1365, as well as in Pararaton, another Javanese record of the 15th century.

There is even a suggestion that Tumasik is derived from the Greek as a variation of Damascus.

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Corporate Video

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