Milestones in 2009

Click here to view our Newsletter

Overseas Student Internship Programme

(OSIP) Review – Universal Orlando Resort

By Xaiver Khoo

14 LRM students were sent on a 6 month overseas stint to Orlando Universal Studios as part of the school’s Overseas Student Internship Programme (OSIP).  The objectives of this training program were to give students the opportunity to gather more exposure and experience from a global perspective, as well as to prepare them to assist with the start-up of the upcoming Integrated Resort on Sentosa.

At Universal Studios, Orlando, the students were separated and sent to work in various departments, ranging from Entry Operations, Attraction Operations, Kitchen Operations, Food & Beverages Operations, Merchandise to Transportation Management.  Despite the different roles and task given, each of them adapted quickly and contributed positively to their jobs.

They learnt that team work, group cohesion and customer orientation were of paramount importance when working in a theme park.

Although they were busy with their work schedules and report submissions, the students still found the time to visit other theme parks such as the SeaWorld @ Orlando, Busch Garden @ Tampa Bay & Disney World Florida, so that they could have a thorough and holistic understanding of the theme park operations.

Upon their return to Singapore, many of the students shared their experiences with their peers.  They said that the trip was extremely fulfilling as it offered them out-of-the-classroom exposure.  They added that they are now better able to contribute to the success of our Integrated Resorts when they complete their diplomas.

Sentosa SPOOKTACULAR!

After a 20-week Student Internship Programme at the end of July 2009, 6 LRM Seniors embarked on a 3 months ‘Sentosa Apprenticeship Programme’. Their mission was to implement an event they had created under the title ‘Spooktacular’ for Sentosa Leisure Group.

The event was first conceptualised in the classroom for a group project for the subject ‘Festivals & Events Management’. LRM students from the freshmen to senior year were collaboratively involved as volunteers over 2 weekends in October 09. Their roles include cosmetic artists, stall managers and actors.

‘Spooktacular’ is an example of how LRM collaborates with an established industry partner to make learning more realistic and holistic. The event was a huge success and the students and volunteers were treated to an appreciation lunch organised by Sentosa Leisure Group on 14 Nov 2009 in recognition of their role in making the event a great success.

F1 Paddock Experience

From 25th to 27th September 2009, 55 Dip LRM students from Temasek Polytechnic served as Customer Service Officers at the prestigious Paddock ClubTM Hospitality and Paddock ClubTM Guest Shuttle of the F1TM Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2009.

The Men Behind The Mascot, FRASIA

(Source: Photo by Shaiful Riza

l taken from www.ayg2009.sg)

More than 60 students from the Diploma in Leisure & Resort Management (LRM) have been given the opportunity to volunteer at the Asian Youth Games (AYG) in addition to 40 of our senior year students who are serving their internship in the Games under the Singapore Sports Council.

Ever wonder who the men behind Frasia, the mascots for the 1^st AYG Singapore is?  They are two LRM students, Muhammad Shahrizal and Mitchell Frederick Folkoff. Shahrizal and Mitchell had shared their insights on themselves and their maiden attempts at becoming a mascot. Click on their picture to find out more.

Visit to University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management

13 of our students on Overseas Student Internship Programme (OSIP) to Universal Studio Orlando joined 2 student ambassadors in Rosen College for a tour of the college. They also gained first hand information about the life as a student in America. The College is located in the largest learning laboratory in the world for hospitality and tourism, Orlando! Students at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management benefit from studying in a city that boasts 42 million visitors each year, and has 120,000 hotel rooms, 4,000 restaurants, and 75 theme parks and attractions. To find out more about Rosen College of Hospitality Management, click on the picture.

Capella Tour

Some of our graduates, existing students and lecturers were given a rare treat when the newly opened six-star resort, Capella Singapore granted them a visit.

Ms. Veronica Tan, Director of Human Resources, and Mr. Sam Chia, Sales Manager met up with about 20 students and lecturers on the evening of 15 May 2009. They were introduced to the resort’s historic and design / layout, after which they were shown the suites and villas.  The students were most impressed by the technological amenities in the rooms, as well as the view of South China Sea, which could be viewed from the rooms.

The highlight of the site inspection was the Ballroom.  The impressive ballroom, a first-of-its kind, was unlike other function rooms, was a column-less circular in shape. It had a glass domed-like ceiling which allowed natural lighting.  Dangled below that, was an artistic sculpture, which refracted the lighting into multiple facts and colours.

The students were very impressed with the hospitality accorded by Ms Tan and her staff.  Priscilla Foo, a 2^nd year student mentioned “The Capella staff was very knowledgeable; they were able to answer all our inquiries.  They also treated us like we were guest.  I will definitely consider joining this fantastic chain, upon my graduation.”

To find out more about Capella, click on the picture.

Diploma in Leisure and Resort Management Pioneer Batch Graduation Ceremony

(Graduates strike a pose with their Course Manager, Mr Desmond Lim)

19 May 2009 saw the graduation of Temasek Polytechnic’s pioneer batch of Leisure and Resort Management students. On that day, a total of 95 Leisure graduands received their well-earned diploma our Director of Temasek Business School, Mr. Daniel Yeow at our Temasek Convention Centre.

Many industry partners such as, Mr. Ken Foo (Gentings International), and Mr. David Brightling (One ° 15 Marina Club) were there to grace the occasion and support our graduands.

Our Gold and Silver medalist winners, Asmond Chew and Chan Si Liang respectively were presented their awards by Dr. Victor Gielisse, Associate Vice-President from the Culinary Institute of America.

This event was marked with much fanfare and celebration as students cheered on one another for achieving academic excellence in their results. Many parents were also seen beaming with pride when their children accepted their Diploma certificates in their presence of their peers and teachers.

One Leisure student remarked, “This is indeed an eventful milestone in our lives. We now have the necessary skills to make a contribution to the industry. We will definitely make Temasek Polytechnic proud.”

Visit To NUS Museum

(Extreme left, Ms Karen Lim, Assistant Director, Curatorial, NUS Museum; Lecturers, Mr Low and Mr David Shum)

On 15^th April 2009, a group of LRMers comprising 9 top Year 1 students and 3 lecturers had the privilege of visiting the NUS Museum, at the invitation of Ms Karen Lim, Asst Director Curatorial, NUS Museum. The group spent a very rewarding and enjoyable afternoon at the Museum with the highlight being a guided tour of Museum’s key exhibits, conducted none other by Ms Lim herself.

The group got an added bonus at the start of the visit. Staff from the university’s Office of Admissions, and Faculties of Arts/Social Sciences and Business took time to brief our students on the admission requirements for degree courses at NUS, the application processes and how incoming applications are assessed for acceptance into NUS. Students were also briefed on the various financial help schemes available to undergraduates. Faculty members then took over and gave our students insights on the various course combinations available under the 2 faculties – Arts & Social Sciences; and Business – as well as the opportunities for participation in overseas programmes, internships etc.

Back to the exhibits. LRMers were taken through the Museum’s feature exhibition – Constructed Landscapes: Singapore in Southeast Asia. This year-long exhibit attempts to highlight the multidimensional constructions of the Singapore landscape. Its thematic focus covers the platforms of Engagement, Memory and Imagination. The other major exhibit the group was guided through was the Ng Eng Teng gallery.

All in all it was a very rewarding visit. An apt conclusion would be a direct reference to one of the Museum’s aims: to provide the student a “spiritual and emotional experience that will help bring meaning and illumination to the rest of his life”. Members of the group were all illuminated one way or another by the time they left the Museum.