Singapore Polytechnic commemorates twenty years of Rehabilitative Engineering solutions

07 Mar 2013

NEWS RELEASE

Singapore Polytechnic commemorates twenty years of Rehabilitative Engineering solutions

Centre for Application in Rehabilitation Engineering develops over 200 customised solutions for over 30 organisations since 1993

Singapore, 7 March 2013 – Singapore Polytechnic’s (SP) Centre for Application in Rehabilitation Engineering (SP CARE) marked its 20^th anniversary at a projects handing over ceremony today. A total of 14 projects were handed over to various organisations such as Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore and Bishan Home.

SP CARE was launched in 1993 with the twin objectives of providing Singapore Polytechnic (SP) students an opportunity to apply what they have learnt to real life projects and educating them to be caring and concerned citizens. Annually, SP CARE is committed to provide technical support and services in rehabilitation engineering to the disabled and aged communities. Since 1993, SP CARE has developed over 200 customised solutions for over 30 different organisations and individuals, ranging from software training kits to assistive equipment for dedicated function.

“For the past 20 years, SP CARE has realized the special and personal needs of the disabled and elderly with affordable innovative solutions and services. With a pool of expertise from different disciplines, SP CARE is able to develop technical aids that enable the aged and disabled to lead a more dignified life,” said SP Deputy Principal, Mr Lim Peng Hun.

One technical aid handed over at today’s ceremony is an interactive multimedia learning programme that teaches English to children afflicted with cerebral palsy. Through videos, pictures, audio and games within the programme, children can learn about everyday objects, toiletries, animals and body parts in a fun and light-hearted manner. Unlike other programmes on the market, the words in the programme are selected based on advice and input from the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore.

“The multimedia learning programme developed by SP CARE is a fine example of an academic institution using their expertise to help the community. The programme allows our students to learn spelling and to identify with the objects they are spelling in a fun and light-hearted manner. The altruistic spirit that underlines this project is something that everyone can emulate,” said Ms Paulene Shekinah, Speech and Language Therapist from the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore.

Other projects developed by SP students and staff in the past years include:

Height and Width Adjustable Parallel Walking Bar (2010)

The innovative walking bar allows for adjustable height and width. The customization according to the patient’s height and size makes therapy sessions more comfortable and beneficial for both patient and therapist. The walking bar can accommodate users up to a weight limit of 85kg. It was donated to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital.

Ultimate Exerciser (2011)

The Ultimate Exerciser aims to promote healthy lifestyle for elderly and patients. The main features of this exerciser include individual legs and arms exercise with variable load selection to strengthen joints, muscles and blood circulation. It was donated to Bishan Home.

Standing Frame (2011)

The standing frame aims to assist wheelchair-bound patients to stand and perform light activities after sitting for a prolonged period. It comes with wheels for portability and the height can be customized. It was donated to Saint Andrew’s Community Hospital.

The SP CARE projects are initiated either through requests from voluntary welfare organisations, hospitals or proposed by staff or students. Upon completion, these projects are tested to ensure that they meet construction and safety standards before being presented to the organisations, hospitals or individuals. Past beneficiaries have included Assisi Hospice, National Heart Centre and the Handicaps Welfare Association.

Photos of past projects are available upon request.

From left to right: Zhang Di, Vivian Yeong, Gary Lim - Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Mechatronics & Robotics students behind the interactive multimedia learning programme.

Ms Pampi Ghosh from the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore officially accepting the interactive multimedia learning programme from Guest of Honour, Mr Chua Chin Kiat, Chairman, Centre for Enabled Living.

- The End -

For more information, please contact:

Frank Chua Andy Kwan

Corporate Communications Department Corporate Communications Department

Tel: 6870 7043 Tel: 6772 1742

Mobile: 9771 7871 Mobile: 9761 6111

Email: frank_chua@sp.edu.sg Email: andykwan@sp.edu.sg

About Singapore Polytechnic (www.sp.edu.sg)

Established in 1954 to meet the manpower needs identified by the government, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is Singapore’s first polytechnic. Its 10 academic schools offer 50 full-time diploma courses for its 15,970 students and courses are kept relevant through close links with industry and government bodies, as well as with various overseas institutions.

SP offers broad-based, multi-disciplinary and flexible curriculum dedicated to hands-on experience. It is committed to the development of its applied research and development capabilities to enhance the quality of teaching and commercialisation efforts. Through Design Thinking, SP offers a revolutionary approach to education, allowing its students to look at problems from different perspectives, and strike a dynamic balance between intuitive and analytical thinking to provide impactful solutions.

Among SP's 166,800 graduates are successful entrepreneurs, top executives in multinational and public-listed corporations, and well-known professionals, many of whom are captains of industries, university professors and researchers, and leaders in government.

SP is the first polytechnic to be awarded the President’s Award for the Environment in 2010 and the President's Social Service Award in 2011.