S’pore Poly launches centre for special needs students

04 Aug 2016

The Straits Times, 4 Aug 2016 - Article featured the new Special Education Needs (SEN) Centre at SP. The $200,000 facility which took two years to set up is the first of its kind among the institutes of higher learning. The SEN Centre will allow special needs students to borrow assistive technology devices that will help them in their learning. For example, students with hearing difficulties can borrow a device that can amplify a lecturer's voice; those with visual disabilities can borrow a mini "telescope" to help them see the lecturer or whiteboard, or a tablet that can change the size and contrast of words. The SEN Centre is also equipped with a soundproof room and a sofa bed for special needs students who need a quiet place to rest. Mr Clarence Chua, SP’s Director of Student Services, shared the importance of having a dedicated facility for special needs students. He also shared that there are plans to train all academic staff in SP to better manage and advise students with SEN. Currently, there are around 400 students with SEN out of 15,000 full-time students in SP. Ng Li Jie, a Year 2 student with autism in the Diploma in Biotechnology course opined on how the new SEN Centre will empower and help students like him. He also hopes that the new facility will raise awareness of SEN and foster an inclusive community.