Lesson 2 Singapore Polytechnic 新加坡理工学院
Text
Singapore Polytechnic[1], the nation’s first educational institution of its kind, was set up in 1954 to train technologists and professionals to support the industrialization and economic development of Singapore (Fig.1-6) . The campus (Fig.1-7) is located at Dover Town in the western suburb of Singapore.
Figure1-6 Singapore Merlion[2]
Figure1-7 College main building[3]
Singapore Polytechnic has six schools and two departments: School of Arts and Social Sciences[4], School of Business, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Architecture, Department of Mathematics[5]，and Department of Education.
At present, the number of students is over 18,000, with full-time and part-time students. There are a dedicated team of about 1,500 staff, including professors, associate professors, lecturers, scientific researchers, and administrative staff[6], all committed to helping the Polytechnic realize its vision of producing qualified graduates[7].
To support students learning and personal development, the Polytechnic’s 38-hectare campus is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. A modern library (Fig.1-8) , well-equipped lecture halls[8] (Fig.1-9), air-conditioned classrooms[9], the latest and most advanced equipment laboratories and workshops provide the most supportive learning environments for students.
Singapore Polytechnic has collaborated with famous corporations such as Intel, Cisco, Motorola, etc. The strategic partnership ensures that students are exposed to the best and latest technologies in support of their learning activities.
To date, graduate (Fig.1-10) output from Singapore Polytechnic is close to 155,000, some of whom have gone on to become captains of industries, senior executives[10] of multi-national corporations[11], and successful entrepreneurs and professionals in Singapore and overseas.
Figure1-8 Library
Figure1-9 Lecture hall
Figure1-10 Graduation ceremony
New Words and Technical Terms
Notes to the Text
[1]Singapore Polytechnic：新加坡理工学院，创立于1954年，是新加坡的五所政府公办学院之一，学院着重于培养与训练未来的工程技术型人才，来支援未来新加坡社会的科技、经济与社会文化的发展。
[2]Merlion：Merlion名字结合了“mer”（海）和“lion”（狮），“鱼尾狮”雕像是新加坡的标志和象征。
[3]College Main Building：学院主楼。
[4]School of Arts and Social Sciences：艺术与社会科学学院，school为大学的二级学院。
[5]Department of Mathematics：数学系。与二级学院并列，规模和综合性小于二级学院。
[6]including professors, associate professors, lecturers, scientific researchers, and administrative staff：including现在分词短语，修饰前面的1,500 staff。句子可以翻译为：包括教授、副教授、讲师、科学研究人员和管理人员。
[7]all committed to helping the Polytechnic realize its vision of producing qualified graduates：committed过去分词短语，修饰前面的1,500 staff。句子可以翻译为：全体成员共同致力于帮助新加坡理工学院实现输出合格毕业生的愿景。
[8]well-equipped lecture hall：装备很好的演讲厅。
[9]air-conditioned classroom：装有空调的教室。
[10]senior executive：高级主管；高级执行官。
[11]corporation：corporation与company虽同指公司，但corporation通常指综合性的大的公司、企业或团体，很有影响力的。而company则是一般公司。
Exercises
Ⅰ.Decide whether the following statement is true or false, and explain your answers.
1.Singapore Polytechnic is the first university in Singapore.
2.Singapore Polytechnic currently offers 49 full-time diploma courses in the areas of applied sciences, business, design, engineering, humanities ＆ social sciences, and information ＆ IT to around 18,000 students.
3.All the instructors in Singapore Polytechnic are professors or associate professors.
4.SP produces successful graduates who are leaders in their own field.
Ⅱ.Translate the following sentences into Chinese.
1.Polytechnics in Singapore provide three-year diploma courses. Polytechnics offer a wide range of courses in various fields, including engineering, business studies, accountancy, tourism and hospitality management, mass communications, humanities, and social sciences.
2.Polytechnic graduates with good grades can continue to pursue further education at local and many overseas universities, notably those in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and be exempted for modules completed in their polytechnics.
3.The National University of Singapore is Singapore’s oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered. The university is considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in Asia.
4.Enrol as an international student at the Hong Kong University, and you will enjoy a wide and flexible choice of undergraduate programs taught in English - plus the advantages of a varied cultural environment.
Ⅲ.Write a composition about your college.