Students who have done well for their ‘A’-Levels would naturally head to university for the next phase of their academic life. But there are some who join the polytechnics to pursue their dreams.
For physiotherapist Cheng Guang Hao, work has never been a pain. He could have studied engineering in university, but chose a course that could shape a person’s health instead.
The physiotherapist at Core Concepts, elaborated: “Being in an allied health profession is really rewarding. You can see improvement in your patients. I feel that this career really opens up what you can do to help someone get back to their daily life.”
Mr Cheng had his first experience with physiotherapy in junior college, after hurting his knee. Inspired by his therapists, he decided to pursue a diploma at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP).
The polytechnic currently offers four allied health diplomas requiring ‘A’-Levels for entry. The courses are in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiation therapy and diagnostic radiography.
Mr Cheng said: “As long as I get to advance myself in this career, it does not really matter if I get a diploma or a degree for a start. I do not see a difference in skills between a diploma graduate from NYP and a degree graduate from elsewhere.”
And where pay is concerned, he commented: “As long as you are really passionate about what you are doing and you really like it, it does not matter.”
NYP said it has seen a sustained level of interest among ‘A’-Level students for its four diploma courses. Every year, it takes in an average of 200 students for these programmes. But from next year, they will be held at the Singapore Institute of Technology and run as degree programmes.
For its final batch, the polytechnic said it expects the same level of interest and demand for the allied health courses.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
