The Singapore Polytechnic Graduates' Guild (SPGG) was set up in 1970 as the Guild for SP graduates but has since evolved into a modern networking hub for professionals from all walks of life. SPGG counts numerous successful entrepreneurs among its members and offers tremendous networking and guidance opportunities for budding young talents.
Its well-equipped clubhouse offers a relaxed and friendly environment for business leaders, industry experts and young graduates alike to meet. SPGG members can enjoy its luxurious facilities, such as its seminar rooms, conference rooms and board rooms for meetings, and its study room for quieter moments. It also hosts numerous recreational events and impressive club facilities such as a bowling alley and jackpot machines, should members wish to unwind.
The SPGG is the ideal contact point for entrepreneurs wishing to expand their network.
Interested parties can drop us an email to be kept informed of SPGG’s subsequent networking sessions and recreational activities.
OUR VISION Creating a Powerful Network of SP Graduates to Share and Grow Together.
OUR MISSION
We are committed to being the focal point for SP Graduates to Interact, Share Experiences and Leverage Resources, for: Personal Development, Promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lifelong Learning, and Contribution to Society.
Our alma matter, Singapore Polytechnic (SP), marked its 50th Graduation Ceremony in May by having its first registered student, Mr Lim Chin Aik, meet and present a memento to its 150,000th Graduate. The Guild is honoured to have the passionate Mr Lim with us as an Honorary Member and is proud to have him mentor and serve the Guild well over the years.
The Guild is privileged and honoured to confer its Honorary Membership to Dr Khoo Kay Chai for his signal and sterling contributions to the Guild, both when he was the Principal of Singapore Polytechnic and Senior Advisor to the Guild (he still is).
It was during Dr Khoo’s tenure as Principal of Singapore Polytechnic that SPGG owed much gratitude. In 1987, Dr Khoo granted the Guild permission to establish its clubhouse at Block EB7.
As Senior Advisor of the Guild, he has been providing good guidance and counsel to SPGG Executive Committee and has been instrumental in helping SPGG weather through several crises with flying colours.
Effective from January 2009, all eligible Members under the Group Personal Accident Insurance policy are protected with a sum assured of between S$10,000 and S$30,000 depending on the tenure of his/her Membership. It insures Student Members (who have paid entrance fees), Honorary, Life, Ordinary and Associate Members who are 65 years and below as at 1 January 2009.
Honorary Membership was conferred to Mr Peter Chen for his illustrious contributions to the Guild as our Patron and to polytechnic education when he was the Minister-in-charge of the Polytechnics and ITE.
A former Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Patron of the Guild for 12 years before stepping down on 6 February 2009; Mr Chen was the man who paved the way for the construction of the Guild for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 6 May 1998.
After his retirement from politics in the late 2001, Mr Chen continued to unselfishly serve the Guild as Patron with distinction, providing good strategic guidance and advice to bring the Guild to what it is today.
Plans to embark on trade missions subsequently tied the Guild up with some of Singapore’s national trade and business associations such as the Association of Small Medium Enterprises (ASME) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF).
Having recognised the Guild’s entrepreneurial direction, notifications on overseas business missions were forwarded to the Guild for dissemination to our Members. With similar objectives aligned towards the enterprising spirit, the Guild aims to work closely with these like-minded associations to promote entrepreneurial initiatives.
Members can now tee-off at 3 Golf Courses in Singapore at special corporate rates without being signed in as Guests to play. By flashing the SPGG membership card, Members are entitled to special golfing rates at these golf clubs: Keppel Club, Sembawang Country Club and Orchid Country Club.
SPGG Open House in July was exhilarating with a myriad of activities happening simultaneously: Friendly sports competitions, an extensive hawker fare, game stalls, bazaar stalls and an entertaining 3-hour open-air concert featuring 9 SP Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) clubs and various entertainers.
The 26th Executive Committee was formed during the Annual General Meeting in October 2009. Mr. Lim Hock Seng, Jimmy, was re-elected to be the President of the 26th EXCO for a two-year term.
An inaugural retreat was organised in November for the Executive Committee and the Management to brainstorm plans for the betterment of the Guild.
2008
Mr. Lim Chin Aik was conferred the title of Honorary Member of SPGG as a tribute to his many years of dedicated and distinguished service to SPGG. The Singapore Polytechnic Key Management (SPM) membership scheme was launched by SPGG as an effort to develop closer ties with her alma mater Singapore Polytechnic (SP). The current SP Principal, Mr. Tan Hang Cheong and Senior Consultant, Mr. Low Wong Fook along with Deputy Principal (Technology & Industry), Mr. Lim Peng Hun were the first few members who are part of the SPM membership scheme. Another unprecedented initiative is the SP Student En-Bloc scheme which took flight on 1 April, making SP first-year students a part of the SPGG family and further strengthening the population pool at the Guild.
With effect from 1 May 2008, SingTel Recreation Club (SRC) has not only continued their Corporate Term Membership with SPGG, but also extended the file of their facilities to SPGG Members. In addition to NUSS, SPGG has also forged the same reciprocal friendship with another alumni club - Ngee Ann Alumni (NAA), giving our members even more choices for their R&R now.
In line with the Guild’s vision to become an Entreprenuer’s Hub, the Inaugural Networking Night was carried out on 11 July 2008. The success of the well-attended event is promising for the continuation of more events of such nature.
2007
Mr. Jimmy Lim was re-elected to be President of the 25th EXCO. SPGG welcomes the renewal of SingTel Recreation Club as our corporate Member for the second year. With the abundance of business networking opportunities sprung from having a wider diversity of members, the Guild will be emphasizing on its strength in being an Entrepreneur Hub.
2006
The year saw SPGG's clinching of SingTel Recreation Club as our first corporate member, adding a major boost to the vibrancy and activity level at the Guild House. A reciprocal tie-up with NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House was formed, widening SPGG and NUSS members’ choices beyond their respective guilds.
2005
Mr. Lim Hock Seng, Jimmy, was elected to be the President of the 24th EXCO for a two-year term.
2004
The Guild was again honoured to have a new patron - Mr Chan Soo Sen, Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Community Development and Sports.
2001
12th May 2001 marked a new turning point in SPGG's history with the 30th Anniversary & Grand Opening Celebration of the new Millennium Guild House. The dream to provide SPGG Members a place to network, a market place where entrepreneurial dreams can take root and blossom - and at the same time have warm fellowship with former Poly mates and mentors have been fulfilled. Guest-of-Honour, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr Tony Tan graced over the Grand Opening of Connection 1010, our new clubhouse.
"SPinnovation Centre" - Singapore Polytechnic Graduates' Guild Innovation and Entrepreneur Centre was officially launched on 10th July 2001. Officiating over this launch was Mr Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade & Industry and Patron of SPGG, and Mr Tan Kay Yong, Managing Director of Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing and Chairman of Singapore Polytechnic Board of Governors.
2000
Construction of the much awaited clubhouse was completed. Officiated by Mr Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Patron of SPGG, 10th October 2000 marked the Soft Opening of SPGG's new Millennium Clubhouse along 1010 Dover Road.
Dr Lim Boh Soon was elected and became the 5th President of Singapore Polytechnic Graduates' Guild.
1998
The Groundbreaking ceremony on 6th May 1998 kick starts the construction of the new clubhouse.
1996
The Guild was honoured have Mr Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Trade and Industry accept the invitation to become the Patron of Singapore Polytechnic Graduates' Guild.
1991
Dr Tay Eng Soon, Senior Minister of State for Education, became the Patron of the Singapore Polytechnic Graduates' Guild in 1991.
1990
The Ministry of Education gave an in-principal approval for 0.7 hectare piece of land to be used for building a new clubhouse. This approval was subject to clearance from the Urban Renewal Authorities and the Land Office.
The Guild initiated the move to get its own Clubhouse building. It submitted a proposal to the Polytechnic's Administrative Office and in July, the Polytechnic agreed to let the Guild have a piece of land on the hill-top.
1988
The Guild newsletter was re-launched under a new name 'Fission' to better reflect the symbolic relationship between the alumni and its alma mater and the energetic phase of the club.
Membership shot up by 100% to 2,000 members as the Guild assumed a more prominent role in the Singapore Polytechnic graduates' community.
1987
In 1987, Dr Khoo Kay Chai, Principal of Singapore Polytechnic, granted the Guild permission to establish its clubhouse at Block EB7.
1986
In May 1986, at an Extraordinary General Meeting, it elected a new Executive Committee. Headed by Mr Jeffrey Lee, it heralded a new period of expansion for the Guild. The new committee had two objectives. One was to attract more members into the Guild and to invite them to participate in the club's activities. The other was to build a full-fledge clubhouse with facilities for a wide range of recreational activities.
1985
A newsletter to be the vehicle of communication between the Guild and its member and other polytechnic graduates and associates was launched, with the inaugural issue distributed in May 1985. The "timely appearance of the Poly Guild News will bridge the gap and transmit valuable information of direct interest to the members. In addition to fulfilling such needs of growing social and technological importance, the Guild hopes to nurture even more invaluable distinctive links with the alma mater".
1984
In view of more activities planned and organised, sub-committees were formed to assist the Executive Committee in running the Guild.
A two-day seminar on "Education and Training Towards Higher Education" was jointly organised by the Guild and Singapore Polytechnic in September 1984.
A big get-together took place on 29 September when more than 3,000 graduates turned up for the Graduates' Reunion dinner. The event which was also held in commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Singapore Polytechnic was graced by the then, Dr Tay Eng Soon, Minister of State for Education and Minister-in-charge of the Singapore Polytechnic. This dinner was described as a 'singular' success. The Guild launched a journal, Polytechniques '84, to facilitate exchange of information among graduates and to provide an important link with the industries.
1983
With more support from graduates, membership reached beyond the 1,000 mark.
1981
The Guild which had a room on the first floor in the former Staff Centre, shifted to a bigger room on the ground floor in November 1981.
After negotiations with the Polytechnic Administration, the Library was opened to all graduates. Graduates' were also allowed to borrow books from the Library.
Mr Balakrishnan was succeeded by Mr Ang Poh Soon who headed the Executive Committee for three terms from 1981. The Guild continued to grow from strength to strength, expanding its membership and establishing closer ties with its alma mater through many joint activities.
1980
This year marked a turning point in the Guild's leadership. Concerted attempts were made by Guild officials to revive interest in the Guild, by raising the profile of the body and organising more activities to develop greater cohesiveness among members and instilling a sense of belonging among them.
At the AGM, the President of the 1st Executive Committee Mr Wee Chwee Heng, urged younger members to serve in the committee so that the Guild could continue to function as a "unifying body" for Singapore Polytechnic graduates'. Mr S.K Balakrishnan, was elected as the Guild's next President.
When the Singapore Polytechnic moved its campus from Prince Edward Road to its present-day location in Dover Road, The Guild also shifted its premises.
1972
To mark the inauguration of the Guild, a dinner and dance was organised on 8th April 1972 with the then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew as Guest of Honour.
1971
The Guild was officially registered with the Registry of Societies under the Societies Act in June 1971.
The inaugural meeting - the 1st Annual General Meeting - on 30th July 1971 was held at Singapore Polytechnic's main lecture theatre. At the AGM, the Constitution and the 1st Executive Committee was formed with Mr Wee Chwee Heng as the President of the 1st Executive Committee.
1970
The 6th Council Meeting on 27th April 1970 saw the formation of the guild. During this meeting, the council agreed to "grant a generous sum of $100 for the establishment of the Graduates' Guild".
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