Detail

Mr Mark Lu, Director of SP’s Media, Arts & Design School, believes that giving students creative freedom is the best way to impart knowledge. However, while pursuing his Master of Education at NIE, he encountered classmates from fields like the military and healthcare who emphasised strict adherence to instructions due to life-or-death consequences. This contrast deepened his interest in education, motivating him to better understand education policy, pedagogy, and curriculum to support lecturers more effectively. NIE offers over 30 graduate programmes, attracting students from diverse industries and countries, enriching classroom learning through varied perspectives. Mr Lu notes that polytechnic students today come from increasingly diverse educational and life backgrounds, including many working adults returning as full-time students. Consequently, polytechnic lecturers must be flexible, teaching both technical and soft skills, while creating meaningful, motivating classroom experiences that support students’ aspirations. They also need to balance a rigorous curriculum that builds resilience with attention to students’ well-being.

[CNA]