New talent development programme combines governance, public policy, futures thinking, ethics through theatre, mentorship and global learning to develop future leaders for a complex world
SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What does public policy have to do with engineering? Why should a designer understand how leadership decisions affect communities? These are among the questions behind Lumina, Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) new flagship talent development programme. At its heart is a simple belief: every student possesses untapped potential. With the right environment, opportunities and support, young people can develop strengths and capabilities they may never have realised they had, and go beyond their pre-conceived boundaries.
Mr Russell Chan, Principal & Chief Executive Officer of NYP, shares the rationale behind the launch of Lumina: "Lumina is designed to help students grow beyond what they thought possible. Leadership is not developed in isolation. It is developed through experience, through service, and through engaging with real people and real communities. Whether through immersive experiences or overseas learning journeys, students will look at issues from different perspectives, think critically about the challenges facing society, and develop the confidence to navigate an increasingly complex world."
Lumina joins a slew of offerings that undergird the poly's institution-wide approach to support a young person's growth: Beyond academic learning, a student can take advantage of workshops and experiential learning opportunities to develop life and leadership skills through programmes under the Student Life Academy. Students seeking a more personalised learning pathway can tap on customised study programmes and mentorship tailored to their aspirations and circumstances, giving them greater flexibility to progress at a pace that best supports their goals.
Earlier this year, NYP also introduced Go Beyond, which allows students the opportunity to customise how they want to complete their diplomas – whether through the university pathway taking university modules or preparation courses, gaining international exposure through overseas study and internships, or a professional pathway to deepen expertise through industry-focused experiences.
While developing professional and technical expertise remains a core focus of polytechnic education, Lumina aims to nurture students who are thoughtful, responsible and capable of leading positive change, and challenge them to stretch themselves in ways they may not have imagined and discover how much further they can grow.
Students will progress to experiences that broadens their perspective beyond their disciplines, exploring areas like service design, and go for university-level short courses in public policy, government and future-thinking. The key milestone of the programme will challenge students to examine ethical dilemmas through a forum theatre format – encouraging different viewpoints, question assumptions and consider key leadership decisions using the arts.
The programme also pairs them up with mentors from the private and public sectors. A few will also get to experience two trips – one to a developed economy and one to a developing and fast burgeoning Asian city with dynamic growth possibilities.
Lumina was launched on 19 Sep at the NYP X Kampong Glam Community Day, where about 200 students - working with the Alliance for Sustainability Innovation, Central Singapore Community Development Council and grassroots partners - supported Project Rejuven-Aid to improve living environments for the elderly and less privileged, while engaging directly with people and communities.
The launch setting reflects an important part of Lumina's design. Students will not study leadership, governance or societal issues only in the abstract. Community projects are built into the programme so that they can encounter different realities, work with others and apply what they learn to needs beyond themselves.
As Singapore navigates increasingly complex economic, social and environmental challenges, Lumina reflects NYP's aspiration to develop graduates who are not only ready for the future of work, but also ready to contribute to the future of society.
About Nanyang Polytechnic
Established as an institution of higher learning in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) academic schools offer quality education and training through 39 full-time diploma courses and common entry programmes. NYP also has a full suite of Continuing Education and Training (CET) options for lifelong learning, ranging from specialist and advanced diplomas to SkillsFuture-supported modules and courses. NYP's Asian Culinary Institute Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies are CET institutes set up in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to champion and transform Singapore's F&B and retail sectors, respectively. A third NYP CET institute - the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning - also set up in collaboration with SSG, will spearhead the development of progressive workplace learning strategies and programmes for companies here.
For more information, please visit www.nyp.edu.sg.
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NYP launches Lumina to help students Go Beyond what they thought possible
