UrbanWire

Students who are interested in managing real-estate developments but fear enrolling in engineering courses due to their mathematics-heavy course content are in luck as they will be able to take a Diploma for Facilities Management for Business (FMB) when Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) launches the new diploma in July.

Students taking the course will acquire the skills necessary to manage commercial and industrial buildings, ensuring that all facilities maximise their potential usage, by managing resources (financial resources, physical buildings, plant and equipment) more efficiently, thus minimising costs and meeting organisations' business objectives

Building & Real Estate Management (BEM) lecturer Mrs Geraldine Lim, the course manager for the new diploma, explained that the idea for the new diploma was mooted by the Director of the Building & Environment course, Mr Wang Chin Chong because "with uncertainties like terrorist attacks [and] SARs, there is a need for trained personnel to manage crisis situations and plan for business continuity".

Students will also be responsible for creating a workplace that is helpful for increasing productivity by supervising and evaluating the effectiveness of facilities.

Unlike other engineering courses, the FMB course doesn't weigh heavily on mathematical work; rather, it has "a good balance of business, management, IT and technical skills", according to Mrs Lim.

She added that the course "emphasises more on operations and management rather than [the] technical design of Mechanical and Electrical systems and other building services".

"I think this course sounds like it would be an interesting and fun [course] to take. [It is] sort of like an engineering course, but with a twist," said 3rd-year student, Joanie Awyong, 20, of Marine & Offshore Technology, which also belongs to the School of Engineering.

For those planning to enrol into the course, expect to take modules such as Building Materials and Finishes, Electrical Systems, Intelligent Building & IT Infrastructure, Financial Resource Management and Building Maintenance & Diagnostics.

Just like all NP students, FMB students will also have to take Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules from 5 areas - Communications, Media and the Arts, Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Science and Technology.

Besides in-school learning, students will also go through 6-month industrial attachments to get a taste of a real-life working environment.

Graduates can look forward to working as a Facilities Officer, Property or Workspace planner or an Environment Consultant, according to the course website.

Mrs Lim explained, "With globalisation and the current economic situation, there is a demand for trained [facilities managers] who can manage facilities across borders and also manage facilities efficiently." Because FMB graduates are versatile and handle a vast range of tasks, they will be much sought-after locally and overseas as well.

For more information, visit the Diploma in Facilities Management (Business) homepage at http://npportal.np.edu.sg/portal/be/be_fmb.htm