Ngee Ann Polytechnic students experienced outdoor adventure and 7 Habits in OBS
Earlier this year, over 300 Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) students attended specially customized experiential learning programmes at Outward Bound Singapore (OBS). The programmes ranged from the integrating of the renowned “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens – The Choice Is Yours” (7 Habits) with outdoor activities to the use of sail boats as tools to cultivate leadership qualities in the students.
The series of programmes was kickstarted by 83 students on the NP’s “The Christieara Programme” (TCP). According to Mr Mun Kwok On, Director, Student Development & Alumni Relations Office, the TCP was specially designed to stretch the potential of NP students who are high achievers.
“This year, we have about 1,000 students who were inducted into the TCP. One of the first things we thought was very important is to put them through a camp in a way that empowers them to take ownership of the journey ahead. We think that this ‘7-Habits’ framework in OBS is one of the possible options to kick off these students’ journey ahead. We hope that they can form a common language that they can apply and use as they take on the initial two years’ journey as they continue to grow in NP,” shared Mr Mun when he visited the NP students in OBS Ubin campus.
After attending the 7 Habits programme, Lim Zijian, 18, who had attended an OBS programme before, shared how OBS was able to bring different benefits to him as he mature through the different stages of his life. He said, “The previous OBS experience was more focused on our own physical and mental self. But this OBS “7-Habits” programme is more focused on helping us come together, working with other people more effectively and synergize – one of the seven habits. The OBS programmes are progressive because in secondary school, there’s limited group work and for Polytechnic students, some of us are already approaching working life, so I think these habits are more applicable to us.”
Since 2009, NP has partnered OBS in the development of unique outdoor adventure learning programmes such as the 9-Day local and overseas cutter sailing expedition, Outward Bound Taiwan and Outward Bound Sabah, as well as Games Leadership courses.
Students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic sharing the 7 Habits they have learnt in the form of a skit
