Singapore Polytechnic opens new state-of-the-art Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre to enhance students’ learning and industry relevance

07 Jan 2014

PRESS RELEASE

Singapore Polytechnic opens new state-of-the-art Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre to enhance students’ learning and industry relevance

Singapore, 7 January 2014 - Singapore Polytechnic (SP) launched today a facility to support the first of its kind training programme in perfumery and cosmetic science. The new Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre will offer comprehensive dual training in perfumery and fragrance creation, as well as cosmetic formulations in personal care products. The Centre will augment the Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science, the only diploma course in personal care to be offered in Singapore.

The 575-square metre facility is divided into three specific sensory training sections, to provide students with authentic hands-on training so that they are well-skilled to serve the needs of the chemical, fragrance and cosmetic science industry. The facility will include equipment such as skin investigation systems as well as scent and sensory chambers. Students will undergo training in stages such as product research and design, product formulation and evaluation process and development of the final marketable personal care product. For more information on the Centre, please refer to Annex I here.

The launch of the Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre is timely, as Singapore is fast becoming the regional hub for the personal care consumer market. Five out of the world’s top 10 flavour and fragrance houses are based in Singapore. The global market for fragrance products is also expected to grow significantly, by at least 40 percent to reach US$16 billion by 2017. In view of these trends, there will be an increasing demand for more skilled manpower to support the industries.

Ms. Thien Kwee Eng, Assistant Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board said, “Singapore has seen significant investments by consumer companies, many of whom have established their strategic headquarter, brand management and innovation functions. Singapore’s success is founded on Asia’s strong growth, and how brand owners are moving significant resources to this part of the world. Moving ahead, the EDB will continue to work with brand owners and their key suppliers to develop new capabilities, as part of Singapore’s effort to develop a comprehensive research & development ecosystem.”

To propel students’ authentic and applied learning, SP has also signed four Memorandums of Understanding with local and international industry players, namely Procter and Gamble, Lubrizol Southeast Asia (Pte) Ltd, NUANCE-Watson and the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES). These collaborations will detail ingredient sponsorships, local and overseas internships and industry-based projects where students will be developing real-life solutions for clients.

In addition, the curriculum for the Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science will undergo enhancements with an increased focus on applied learning. The enhancements will include an extended industry supported programme where students will spend a year in replacement of the existing 12 weeks programme, attached to personal care and research organisations, such as Procter and Gamble, Lubrizol and ICES. They will be trained as formulators of personal care products or assistant perfumers, as well as educated in an entrepreneurship option where students can gain in-depth knowledge of the business aspect of the personal care industry. This will enhance the students’ versatility to function in diverse roles in the industry.

Mr Tan Choon Shian, Principal and CEO of SP, said, “Since the launch of the Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science in 2010, we have continually received strong support from the top flavour and fragrance houses and research institutes in Singapore. Our collaboration with industry partners will help generate more opportunities to stimulate the passion of our students and nurture them into skilled and valuable personal care experts to serve the industry.”

Ms. Thien added, “Academic institutions like Singapore Polytechnic are also important partners in Singapore’s Consumer Businesses ecosystem, particularly in their commitment and dedication to develop industry-ready talent. The launch of the Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre, augmented by the Memorandums of Understanding with top industry players would no doubt help to strengthen the diploma programme and quality of future graduates.”

Foreground from left to right: Ms Thien Kwee Eng, Assistant Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board and Mr Tan Choon Shian, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Polytechnic, officially launching the first-of-its-kind Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre in Asia launched by Singapore Polytechnic.

Singapore Polytechnic’s newly launched Perfumery and Cosmetic Science Centre will enhance students’ learning and industry relevance.

THE END

For more information, please contact:

Mr Edmund Heng                                                           Mr Frank Chua
Corporate Communications Officer                           Corporate Communications Officer
Singapore Polytechnic                                                  Singapore Polytechnic
T: 6772 1634                                                                   T: 6870 7043
M: 9371 2416                                                                  M: 9771 7871
E: Edmund_Heng@sp.edu.sg                                    E: frank_chua@sp.edu.sg

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

Established in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is Singapore’s first polytechnic. It has 10 schools that offer 49 full-time diploma courses for close to 16,000 students. SP has adopted a proven creative teaching and learning framework and it offers students a holistic, authentic and industry-relevant curriculum, innovative and vibrant learning spaces, and enriching overseas programmes.

The Polytechnic is committed to producing competent and versatile graduates, who are also imbued with sound values, so that they can be work ready, life ready and world-ready. Among the network of more than 170,000 SP alumni are successful entrepreneurs, top executives in multinational and public-listed corporations, and well-known professionals across various industries 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.

About Ixia

Ixia develops amazing products so its customers can connect the world. Ixia helps its customers provide an always-on user experience through fast, secure delivery of dynamic, connected technologies and services. Through actionable insights that accelerate and secure application and service delivery, Ixia’s customers benefit from faster time to market, optimized application performance and higher-quality deployments. Learn more at http://www.ixiacom.com.