Global Community Day: Unity in Diversity
Global Community Day (GCD) is an annual event organised by Temasek Polytechnic (TP) to promote global awareness, country engagement and integration amongst staff, students, local community and global partners. The event gathers together international and local students for a full day of celebration highlighting the diversity and culture of the local community.
The Exhibition
This year, leading up to Global Community Day 2017 and ASEAN@50, Library, in collaboration with the Centre for TransCultural Studies and International Relations, put up an exhibition that showcases the diversity of ASEAN member countries.
The exhibition features information and artefacts curated from various cultures. Visitors were encouraged to interact with the displays including traditional musical instruments and games – which they did!
Positive participation were also received from the Daily True & False Quiz. On a daily basis, over 500 students picked up the coloured balls provided to vote their answers to questions that tested their knowledge about ASEAN member countries.
ASEAN & Friends Sharing sessions were also held at the Library Activity Room on 29 and 30 June by TP International Students Group (TPISG). More than 60 students attended the two sessions and mingled with the international students who shared enthusiastically about their countries and cultures. The exhibition is from 27 June to 14 July.
Developing a Global Mindset
Living in an increasingly connected world, it becomes essential for our students to adopt a global mindset as their future jobs may require them to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
TP organises a wide range of initiatives to promote global mindset among our students. Read more about it in “Developing a Global Mindset” in the Annual Report 2015/2016.
GCD’s 3-in-1 Community Celebration
In 2015, the Global Community Day (GCD) was held in conjunction with two other celebrations: Singapore’s golden jubilee and Temasek Polytechnic’s silver jubilee. Read more about it in Stop Press, Oct 2015.
Launch of the Glocal Connect Village, first of its kind in Singapore
Had a good time at Temasek Polytechnic’s Global Community Day and Glocal Connect Village. The students and staff put up a spectacular and colourful show – dancing, beat boxing, drumming, etc. Always energized after visiting our schools and tertiary institutions, and meeting enthusiastic and talented young people.
— Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong (2012)
Read about it in Stop Press, Dec 2012.
The First Lighting of WaterFire in Asia
The highlight of the 2011 celebrations was the staging of the first ever Lighting of WaterFire in Asia, with the first fire being lit by guest-of-honour, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence.
WaterFire is a public art installation that was first started in Providence, USA, 17 years ago, to inspire the spirit of volunteerism and to use the arts to engage the community. An estimated 12,000 visitors joined in this community engagement event.
The First Lighting of WaterFire in Asia
Watch the video of the Global Community Day. (login required for access)
View these photos of the setting up of the Water Fire. (login required for access)
Read about it in Stop Press, Oct 2011
GCD held outside of campus for the very first time
For the first time, TP held its GCD in conjunction with the Parks Festival at the Bedok Reservoir. Various cultural activities were held during the two-day event. Participations from embassies of various countries injected fanfare to the event.
View the photos here. (login required for access)
Global Community Week
Did you know? Prior to GCD celebrations, TP has been actively promoting transnational mindset amongst its students through campus events such as the Global Community Week and International Cultural Nite.
Read about it in Stop Press, Dec 2009.
View photographs of past events here. (login required for access)
