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  Today Online 27 Oct 06
Republic Poly goes green with diploma in environmental tech
Ashraf Safdar

COME next year, Republic Polytechnic (RP) could add another feather to its green cap — with a new diploma programme in Environmental Technology, which is to include modules on "climate control" and "water treatment". The course, once approved by the Ministry of Education, will be available for students next year.

The course will further enhance the school's reputation as an eco-friendly learning hub. The polytechnic, which has recently been roped in by the National Environment Agency as a new partner in this year's Clean and Green Week, boasts an energy-efficient and paperless campus.

It also bagged the prestigious Building and Construction Authority Green Mark platinum award for its green efforts. Meanwhile, the search for practical modules to be included in this course has already begun.

Yesterday, the polytechnic unveiled a new technology for cleaning pond water, developed by its students, which is a much cheaper alternative to commercial products available now.

The device costs only $20,000, as opposed to the commercial rate of half a million dollars. The device sends the murky water through a mechanical filter, a high-pressure mixer, a sedimentation tower and a series of chemical treatments.

The National Parks Board tested the device on a pond in Bishan Park. In five weeks, the water was much cleaner, plants were blossoming, and the water acidity level was reduced.

The board said yesterday that it is open to using it in parks across the island. Not only will useful projects like these become components in the new Environmental Technology diploma, they will also open the door for further commercial ventures. —
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