Key Milestones
1982
Centre for Computer Studies (CCS) established as autonomous centre within Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Mr Rodney Shaw, eminent British educator, appointed Director/CCS to spearhead development.
Mr Tan Chin Nam, National Computer Board GM, appointed Chairman Advisory Board.
First batch of 121 GCE 'A' level students enrolled for two-year Diploma in Computer Studies.
1983
CCS declared open on 4 March 1983 by Dr Tay Eng Soon, then Minister of State (Education) and Minister in charge of the Polytechnic.
Granted exemption by British Computer Society from Part I exams, first for a polytechnic outside the United Kingdom.
1984
Moved to new premises within Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus. Officially opened by Dr Tay Eng Soon 11.12.11984.
First 105 graduates received diplomas from Mr Philip Yeo, National Computer Board Chairman.
1985
2nd graduation ceremony officiated by BG Lee Hsien Loong, then Minister for Trade and Industry.
1986
Ordered ICL Series 39 Model 30 mainframe computer, a 2.2 MIPS system valued at more than S$2.5 million.
Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies became the first non-university part-time course to gain exemption from the British Computer Society (BCS) Part II examinations.
1987
Participated in 'IT and You' Exhibition, at Singapore Informatics '87 organised by National Computer Board, Singapore Telecoms and Singapore Science Centre.
1988
Signed agreement with ICL to upgrade mainframe facilities.
Received Distinguished Corporate Award from Singapore Computer Society for substantial contribution and support for professional development activities in society.
CCS Alumni established.
1989
Mr Rodney Shaw left 7.9.1988 on completion of contract. CCS staff donated $2,600 to establish trust fund for the Rodney Shaw Book Prize, to be awarded to outstanding graduates of the Advanced Diploma Course in Computer Studies annually.
Mr David Chan appointed Director/CCS.
1990
Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies replaced by two new courses - Advanced Diploma in Information Systems and Software Engineering and the Advanced Diploma in Data Communications and Networking. Both granted exemption from BCS Part II exams.
1991
Signed MOU with Microsoft (Singapore) to equip it with latest application software packages and to facilitate transfer of software development expertise.
1992
CCS lecturers led students on a study trip to Hong Kong.
Hosted international conference 'Professional Development of IT Professionals', organised by the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP).
Jointly organised one-week computer camp with Mendaki to encourage IT appreciation amongst the Malay-Muslim community.
1993
Assisted Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore in National Software Competition, hosted by National Computer Board.
Held 3rd annual CCS-Mendaki IT Workshop further strengthen IT culture of the Malay-Muslim community. Officiated by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister-of-State for the Environment, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Chairman, Board of Directors of Mendaki.
1994
Collaborated with Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) to host workshop-cum-seminar 'IT for People with Disabilities'. Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister without Portfolio and Secretary-General of NTUC officiated the event.
Invited by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct customised IT course for group of South Africans from the African National Congress (ANC).
Graduating students raised funds to purchase microcomputers for the Association of the Deaf.
Over a thousand secondary school students attended a series of IT workshops and immersion programmes aimed at promoting IT awareness amongst secondary schools.
1995
Diploma in Computer chosen by Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as exemplary model of industry technology programme.
Provided technology support for launch of Mendaki's Internet Page-cum-Seminar.
Signed MOUs with Microsoft Singapore and 3Com Asia Pte. Ltd.
1996
Two CCS lecturers received Handicapped Welfare Association (HWA) Special Friend Awards.
1997
New Diploma in Multimedia Computing course launched.
Signed MOU with Peripheral Connections for transfer of multimedia software and services for the new course.
Organised computer workshop for four self-help groups in Singapore and the Handicapped Welfare Association, the first camp that brought all the groups together.
CCS lecturers led a group of 31 students on a study trip to Silicon Valley, USA.
1998
Diploma in IT (Computer Studies) launched to replace existing Diploma in Computer Studies. Emphasised technical core competencies and a wider range of elective modules to cater to the varying interests and abilities of students.
Appointed as Microsoft Authorised Academic Training Programme Centre, to train and certify IT professionals using the latest software technologies.
Signed MOU with Cabletron Systems Pte Ltd to allow transfer of specialist knowledge in current and emerging networking technology.
1999
Commissioned as first Regional Training Centre for the 3Com NetPrep Network Training Programme.
Hosted Annual IT Day on campus for more than 800 secondary school students.
2000
Signed MOU with Intranesis Communications Pte Ltd to allow transfer of ColdFusion technology.
2001
Launched new Diploma in Information Technology to replace existing Diploma IT (Computer Studies). Option to specialise in four niches: Electronic Commerce, Multimedia Development, Network Computing and Software Engineering.
Signed MOU with BMC Software Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. for transfer of specialist skills in e-business systems management and courseware development and to provide scholarships to outstanding students.
Our student body, the Computer Studies Society organised iTechOne. The first IT quiz targetted at neighbourhood secondary schools in Singapore.
Renamed as the School of InfoCommTechnology (ICT) in view of the growing convergence of Information Technology with Network Communications.
2002
New Diploma in Mobile Computing launched in view of growth in mobile e-commerce and wireless technologies.
Signed MOU with Hewlett Packard 28.2.2002 to establish eGarage to cultivate the spirit of creativity and innovation among NP students through developing new solutions using leading-edge technologies.
2003
eGarage, with 9 industry partners, officially opened 26.2.2003 by Mrs. Tan Ching Yee, CEO, iDA (InfoComm Development Authority) Singapore.
Ms Angela Wee, former CEO of an internet start-up, appointed Director/ICT from 1.4.2003.
2004
eGarage expanded to 10 times its original size to accommodate activities for technology incubation and to serve as a teaching and learning hub.
Classrooms upgraded to provide conducive learning.
Realize-IT program initiated; students apply their newly acquired IT skills to help the under-privileged in community projects.
Pilot IP (Internet Protocol) telephony project, a form of VoIP, launched.
Insight into IT Industry program initiated; field trips to IT firms (HP, Accenture, Ecquaria) opened students' eyes to real-life situations.
2005
Revamped Diploma courses launched, focusing on student-centred activity-based learning and integrating final-year-project with a new six-month internship for students to gain on-the-job training (18.4.2005).
Diploma in MMC (multimedia computing) revamped and renamed to MMA (multimedia and animation) to reflect its new focus on interactive digital media (24.5.2005).
New module "Fundamentals for IT Professionals" launched to initiate newbies to IT basics and soft skills (20.5.2005).
National StrITwise Challenge (26.11.2005) launched, for secondary schools to vie for IT competency and innovation.
IP (Internet Protocol) telephony successfully implemented in ICT (Feb 2005).
2006
RHyMeS Centre launched, a technology incubation lab that applies RFID to enhance productivity and guest experience for the lifestyle and hospitality industry.
2007
New Diploma in Enterprise Information Systems launched, offering specialisations in niche areas like banking & finance and healthcare.
