SINGAPORE, 5 June 2014 – A heavy afternoon downpour did little to dampen the excitement of visiting DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore (DigiPen Singapore), for some 120 students and 10 teachers from Bedok North Secondary School.

Organised by the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), the students from Bedok North Secondary attended an introductory programming workshop at DigiPen Singapore, SIT’s overseas university partner that offers degree programmes dedicated to game development.

The visit to DigiPen Singapore gave the Bedok North Secondary students a fresh perspective of university education and introduced an alternative pathway to achieving a graduate degree through the polytechnics.

Under the guidance of DigiPen Software Engineers, the students designed a simple two dimensional side-scrolling game, similar to the mobile game Flappy Bird. The students created a game character along with the perilous game environment that it would navigate, all in less than two hours.

Game enthusiast, Christine Hee, who is completing her secondary school education with Bedok North Secondary, felt that the visit during their June school holidays was well worth the trip.

“I have always wondered how games are made and the visit today has definitely broadened my knowledge,” Hee said.

5 June 2014, students from Bedok North Secondary School work on their game designs in an experiential workshop at DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore. Photo | SIT Royson Poh

In addition to the workshop, the students were also introduced to SIT’s various specialised degree programmes, designed to provide upgrading pathways for diploma holders. Desmond Soon, Director Corporate Communications, SIT, shared with the students how polytechnics catered to those who preferred a hands-on approach to learning, and how they could still complete a graduate degree with SIT, should they choose to progress to a polytechnic after completing their secondary education.

SIT’s commitment to the community is entrenched in its vision, to be a leader in innovative university education by integrating learning, industry and community, as well as its aim to developed students who are best-in-class-specialists for the industry and at the same time, grounded individuals with a passion to serve the community.

“As a university, we want to exemplify for our students how we should find ways where can serve the community,” Soon said.

Armed with a fresh perspective of university education and the different upgrading pathways available, the students from Bedok North Secondary school can now make a more informed decision and select the post-secondary education that best caters to their learning preferences.