Singapore Polytechnic

Post secondary academic institution in Singapore

"To serve with mastery" (2014–present)
| established =
| type = PublicGovernment
| endowment = $97.2 million (2023)
| chairperson = Janet Ang
| principal = Soh Wai Wah
| total staff = 1,422 (2023) SP is now based at Dover, Singapore.

The idea of establishing a polytechnic in Singapore was first proposed in August 1951 by the Technical Association of Malaya's Singapore branch (now known as Technological Association Malaysia). An ad hoc committee, chaired by educationist Thio Chan Bee, petitioned the government in 1952 for the creation of a fully equipped polytechnic to address the shortage of skilled workers. In January 1953, then Governor Sir John F. Nicoll appointed a committee to investigate the feasibility of the polytechnic. This committee was tasked with determining the curriculum, estimating costs and equipment needs, and evaluating the institution's integration into Singapore's existing education system.

The 13 member committee, chaired by Professor E. H. G. Dobby from the University of Malaya, submitted the Dobby Report to the government on 17 September 1953. This report defined a polytechnic as an institution offering part time technical and professional training primarily for employed individuals, with potential for full time programs. The report highlighted the need for a polytechnic to equip local workers with modern skills, prepare them for managerial roles, and establish a centralized training system. However, concerns about high costs and Singapore's small population were noted. Proposed departments included Commerce, Engineering, Management, Architecture and the Applied Arts, and Vocation Training in Language and Science, with English as the medium of instruction. The Singapore Polytechnic Report recommended seven departments for the polytechnic, prioritising General Education, Commerce, Management Studies, Engineering, and Architecture and Building. Secondary priorities included the Applied Arts and a Women's Department for domestic science. Gibson emphasised initial training for craftsmen and technicians before expanding to advanced subjects. He also suggested locating the polytechnic at Shenton Circus for optimal accessibility. On 27 October 1954, the Singapore Polytechnic Act was passed, and the first Board of Governors was appointed in January 1955. Construction of the $5.2 million 10 acre campus at Prince Edward Road,

The campus was officially opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on 24 February 1959, with the then Governor, Sir William Goode, and the then Chief Minister, Tun Lim Yew Hock. By then, over 2,800 students were enrolled across 58 courses in 5 departments: Engineering, Building and Architecture, Science and Technology, General Education, and Commerce. Two libraries: the Main Library and Hilltop Library. The Main Library houses the first Makerspace in a Singapore library. AeroHub: A four storey building that houses an aircraft hangar, laboratories and a Research & Development centre. There are currently four aircraft in the hangar: Hawker HS 125 700A, King Air B90, A4SU Super Skyhawk and Bell UH 1H.

Singapore Polytechnic has been awarded the Singapore Quality Class as well as the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications. It has also won the Singapore Public Service Award for Organisational Excellence and the People Developer and Family Friendly Awards. SP received the President's Award for the Environment in 2010. Some of the key green initiatives by SP over the years included spearheading the adoption of Marina Reservoir—keeping it clean and organising the Singapore International Water Festival to engage youths on environmental and water issues. In 2011, SP won the South West Environment and Community Award (Community Category). The award recognises exemplar efforts of organisations that have contributed to environmental and community sustainability in the district. SP also clinched the inaugural ASEAN People's Award in 2015 for its contributions toward the region's community building efforts.

SPOT is a talent development and enrichment programme. All recipients of the SP Scholarship will automatically be placed under this programme. Other eligible students will be invited to join SPOT based on their academic results or lecturers' recommendation.

EAE is an admissions exercise that allows students to apply and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnic based on their aptitudes and interests before taking their O Level exams, or after completing their NITEC or Higher NITEC course at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). This exercise replaced the Direct Polytechnic Admissions (DPA) and Joint Admission Exercise (JAE).

PFP is an admissions exercise that allows the top 10% of Normal Academic (NA) students to apply to a polytechnic without going through O Level. PFP students will go through a one year course, teaching them the foundations of subjects that will be needed in their diploma year. If the student passes PFP, they will move onto their diploma courses. Additional scholarships and awards are available to those who do well in their foundation year.