ALUMNI

Ng Ding Yao

Diploma in Facilities Management
Class of 2023

Three years have passed since I joined the Diploma in Facilities Management at Singapore Polytechnic through the Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE) in 2020. Excited and ready for a fresh start, I had to quickly adapt my expectations to the fluid changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The class of 2023, including myself, had a unique introduction to the polytechnic experience with online classes dominating the first semester. Although social interactions were limited to video calls and group discussions, this period of online learning taught us the flexibility to navigate between virtual and face-to-face interactions.

Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to have compassionate and dedicated lecturers who readily clarified concepts and shared their industry expertise. Their insights into the transformative nature of FM solutions have been invaluable. The curriculum of the Diploma in Facilities Management at Singapore Polytechnic reflects the industry's ongoing changes, incorporating SMART FM solutions and data cloud utilization to streamline processes.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions that curtailed field trips during my time at Singapore Polytechnic, the lecturers ensured that when it was safe, we had opportunities to explore FM capabilities through visits to the school's water filter plants and fire safety systems. These experiences have prepared me for the industry and contributed to my successful performance during my internship.

During my third year, the internship provided a refreshing opportunity to delve into the nuances of the FM industry. Applying the concepts I had learned in school to real-life situations, I had the chance to present a project on trending analysis to the entire department. The numerous presentations I had done throughout my time in school significantly improved my public speaking skills and boosted my confidence, enabling me to address large groups of industry professionals naturally.

I am immensely grateful to my lecturers for accepting me into the course and providing me with experiences that I deeply appreciate. I am confident that future batches of students in the Diploma of Facilities Management will have even more opportunities for field trips and overseas learning journeys, further enriching their educational experiences at Singapore Polytechnic.