By Ang Yiying

THOSE looking for careers in marine and offshore engineering now have the option of pursuing a degree in naval architecture here.

The first full-time programme in this field is a collaboration between Newcastle University, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic under the Ministry of Education's Polytechnic-Foreign Specialised Institution scheme.

The two-year course is designed for those who already have marine and offshore engineering diplomas from the polytechnics here.

Interest in the field is keen, with 118 applications submitted for the 62 places in the first intake.

Classes will begin on Monday.

The practical bent of the programme will give the students access to the facilities in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, including the use of the only ship model tow tank here.

Mr Woon Kok Meng, director of Ngee Ann Polytechnic's mechanical engineering division, said the course will help produce the 60 to 70 naval architects the industry needs each year.

Naval architects can be involved in the design, building, repair and upgrading of rigs and drill ships; they can also work in marine-support industries producing or servicing marine equipment and components.

Because of strong industry support for the programme, 21 - or one in three - of the students in the pioneer batch have landed $800,000 worth of scholarships or sponsorships funded by marine and offshore companies.

Yeo Teck Chye, 24, for example, will have his studies fully sponsored by his employer. He is an assistant lead engineer with Keppel Fels.

The holder of a diploma in marine and offshore technology from Ngee Ann Polytechnic said: 'The course really provides me further learning for what I am doing in Keppel Fels.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on September 17, 2008.

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