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SINGAPORE, 5 January 2026 – Singapore Polytechnic's (SP) Open House 2026 (SPOH26) is set to be the most interactive showcase to date. This year, SP goes beyond traditional exhibition displays, debuting Try-a-Skill booths at the SP Industry & Innovation (I&I) Showcase to give prospective students a visceral, hands-on experience of modern engineering. 

Visitors are invited to roll up their sleeves and dive into challenges that merge creative problem-solving with business acumen. One of the highlights includes the Stick ’Em Challenge, where attendees can use sticks, 3D-printed connectors, motors, and wireless controls to build dynamic structures. Its co-founders were recently awarded the coveted Hult Prize, which comes with US$1 million in funding for the startup’s affordable robotics kit that uses chopsticks to teach children about technology. 

Among this year's most notable SPI&I exhibits is Serich's Second-Skin Moisturising Cream, a pioneering formulation that redefines eczema care. It distinguishes itself as a non-steroidal eczema cream suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and eczema-prone skin. It is also among the pioneering moisturising creams featuring PETA-Approved and EWG-certified ingredients, supporting sustainable, non-toxic skincare.

Another project worth highlighting is The Paper Bride - Multiplayer VR Horror Escape Room, a Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) VR game where players will step into a Peranakan-inspired horror story inspired by Chinese Ghost Weddings, navigating ornate chambers and uncovering the fate of the fictional character, Yu Niang (玉娘), in teams of four. Blending horror, heritage, and interactive storytelling, players must free her before the final vow is sealed.

Forging Strategic Partnerships for Industry-Relevant Learning

Beyond enhancing our curriculum, strategic collaborations are also driving curriculum relevance and product innovation across SP. SP and beverage company Gourmet Supplies have collaborated on two new low-sugar beverage flavours for the Haus Brew range. Conceptualised and developed by Diploma in Food Science & Technology students for both SG60 and SP’s School of Chemical & Life Sciences’ 60th anniversary (CLS60) celebrations, the flavours will make their retail debut in the first quarter of 2026. While Gourmet Supplies and Haus Brew have an established portfolio of over 20 beverage flavours, the two new products introduce mint into fruit-based beverages for the first time in their range. SP and Gourmet Supplies have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their continued collaboration.

Building Soft Skills & Data Fluency 

Moving beyond technical prowess, SP is doubling down on the human skills required for the future workplace. Launched in the Academic Year 23/24, the Teamwork Development Framework will enhance students’ collaboration skills and allow each student’s teamwork ability to be evaluated objectively across their three years in SP through a validated peer rating system. Upon graduation, students in the top 50% will receive a digital certificate officially recognising their demonstrated teamwork proficiency. This initiative underscores SP’s commitment to nurturing graduates who excel in teamwork and are prepared to thrive in dynamic, real-world environments. 

Complementing this pedagogical shift is a sharpened focus on data-driven learning. The School of Mathematics and Science (MS) will be officially renamed the School of Mathematical Sciences & Analytics (MSA). This renaming reflects a modernised mission to build a strong foundation in mathematical principles while harnessing data to generate actionable intelligence. The school’s offerings include a Minor in Data and AI and a Certificate in Data and Analytics. Students who complete the Minor in Data and AI and subsequently undertake a data-related internship or Final Year Project (FYP) will be awarded an additional AI Data Apprenticeship certificate from AI Singapore. The first batch of students will receive the certificate this academic year. In addition, the school supports adult learners through stackable Specialist Diplomas in Data Science, featuring specialisations in Data Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Vision and Language Analytics.  

New Opportunities for Creative Innovation and Global Impact

New initiatives are being rolled out to significantly bolster support for high-potential students, starting with the Media, Arts & Design School (MAD)’s Changemaker Scholarships, designed to empower aspiring innovators across the Animation & Games (AG) and Experience & Product Design (XPD) specialisations. These scholarships directly support passionate students who are driven to push boundaries, craft meaningful user experiences, and design innovative solutions that will shape the future of design landscapes. 

Alongside this investment in creative talent, SP’s flagship talent development initiative, the Singapore Polytechnic Outstanding Talent (SPOT) programme, will be enhanced. Recognising that leadership is a journey that develops at a different pace, the improved SPOT now introduces a new second entry point in Year 2, moving beyond the original single-entry point in Year 1. The renewed curriculum aims to give students with emerging potential the chance to excel and grow, nurturing leaders who are not only intellectually motivated but also deeply dedicated to service and community impact. With a unique focus on Asia-centric perspectives, SPOT provides our high-potential students with cross-cultural networks and regional insights vital for navigating and leading in tomorrow’s global economy. Whether aiming for top-tier scholarships or fostering social innovation, the new SPOT experience turns potential into excellence, right here at SP.

A Record-Breaking Year for Student Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneurial spirit will be in full force at SPOH26, featuring the highest number of active Business Essentials Through Action (BETA) businesses to date. For the first time, the entire Year 1 cohort from SP’s School of Business (SB) has participated in the BETA programme, resulting in 60 student-run businesses on display. The programme, which started in AY2025/26, provides all Year 1 SB students with hands-on experience in venture creation, industry mentorship, and social impact.

One of the standout BETA projects on display this year is Esscentials. The team transforms surplus food and “ugly” fruits into sophisticated fragrances crafted to elevate one of the home’s most practical spaces – the toilet. Each scent is handmade using eco-conscious methods, reducing food waste while bringing refined elegance to daily life. 

Another BETA business worth highlighting is REVAMP, which sells functional makeup pouches made from upcycled denim, transforming textile waste into sustainable fashion. In collaboration with a community of individuals with special needs, REVAMP provides opportunities for them to craft the products and share in the profits. The brand unites style, sustainability and social good in every creation.

For more information on selected BETA projects showcased, please refer to Annexe A.

Gearing up for its 40th anniversary in 2026, SB will host events throughout the year to celebrate four decades of excellence and reaffirm its commitment to being a beacon of values-based education.

To further cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of our students, the SPiNOFF Entrepreneurship Centre, SP’s Entrepreneurship Incubator, connects budding entrepreneurs with crucial programmes, resources, and opportunities, including the SP Batey Challenge and SP Hackathon, thereby placing them on national platforms such as the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). The provision of pre-seed support translates early ideas into tangible next steps.

For the first time at SPOH, the SPiNOFF Entrepreneurship Centre will open its doors for visitors to meet and engage with up-and-coming student entrepreneurs and gain insights into their journeys and exciting innovations.

Mr Soh Wai Wah, Principal and CEO of Singapore Polytechnic, said, “At Singapore Polytechnic, we develop graduates who are both tech-savvy and socially conscious. Our AI learning through MSA’s programmes and the launch of the Teamwork Development Framework to sharpen essential human-centric skills ensure our students are uniquely prepared for an AI-augmented world. Coupled with real-world opportunities via the BETA programme and the expansion of the SPOT programme, we demonstrate our belief that leadership and innovation emerge at different paces. At SPOH26, we welcome the next generation to a community where heritage meets innovation and ambition is fully supported.”

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