As an established and trusted private educational institution, Nanyang Institute of Social Sciences (NISS) is committed to maintaining a high standard of confidentiality with respect to the personal data of our students, alumni, staff, and other stakeholders, in accordance with the requirements of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (the "PDPA").

This Personal Data Protection Policy outlines how NISS collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards your personal data in the course of our operations. By providing your personal information to us, you consent to its use for purposes related to academic administration, student support, alumni engagement, and institutional promotion across various media platforms, unless otherwise notified.

NISS respects the privacy of every individual in our community and recognises the importance of the personal data you have entrusted to us. We are dedicated to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and care in our handling of all personal data.

"Personal Data" refers to data, whether true or not, about an individual who can be identified:

(a) from that data; or

(b) from that data and other information to which NISS has or is likely to have access.

Depending on the nature of your interaction with NISS, examples of personal data that we may collect include, but are not limited to: your full name, national identification number (e.g., NRIC, FIN, or passport number), contact details (such as residential address, email address, and telephone number), date of birth, nationality, gender, marital status, photographs or video images (including CCTV recordings), educational qualifications, employment details, and financial information such as bank account or payment details.

We collect personal data only when necessary for our academic or administrative purposes, and always by lawful and fair means. We do not collect excessive or irrelevant information.

Your personal data may be collected through various channels, including:

- Application and enrolment forms

- Employment applications

- Alumni and event registrations

- Interactions on our website or online platforms

- CCTV footage and student services

Types of personal data we may collect include your name, contact details, identification number, date of birth, nationality, academic and employment records, photos or videos, and financial or health-related information where relevant.

Where possible, we collect data directly from you. If data is collected from third parties (e.g. referees, partner institutions), we will take reasonable steps to inform you, unless exempted by law.

Before or at the time of collection, we will inform you of the purpose, how the data will be used, your access rights, and to whom the data may be disclosed.

Your personal data may be used for purposes including but not limited to:

- Processing applications (e.g. admission, employment, event registration)

- Managing student, alumni, and staff records

- Providing academic, administrative, and student support services

- Communicating with you regarding events, activities, or updates

- Promoting our programmes through various media (e.g. brochures, social media, videos)

- Generating reports for internal use, compliance, and audits

- Meeting legal, regulatory, or policy requirements

By interacting with NISS and providing your data, you consent to our use of your name, image (e.g. CCTV or event photos/videos), and quotes for marketing or academic purposes where relevant and appropriate.

We may share your personal data, where necessary, with:

- Government bodies, regulators, or statutory agencies

- Partner institutions

- Third-party service providers (e.g. IT, event vendors, communications)

- Accreditation and audit bodies

- Your parent(s) or guardian(s), if requested

- Emergency personnel, where disclosure is required to protect life or safety

We do not sell your data or disclose it to marketers without your consent. When data is shared, we take steps to ensure it remains secure and confidential.

By providing your personal data to NISS, you consent to its collection, use, and disclosure as described in this policy, including for academic, administrative, and promotional purposes.

You may withdraw your consent at any time by submitting a written request to our Data Protection Officer. Please note that withdrawal may affect our ability to provide certain services or continue any contractual relationship. Marketing communications will stop within 5 working days, but NISS may retain your data where required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

You have the right to request access to or correction of your personal data by contacting our Data Protection Officer in writing. Please ensure that the information you provide to NISS is accurate and up to date.

Access to your personal data may be limited if it involves disclosure of another individual's data, may cause harm, or is against national interest.

NISS prioritizes the security of your personal data. We implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical measures, such as encryption and antivirus protection, to safeguard your data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or loss.

While we strive to protect your information, please be aware that no online transmission or electronic storage method is completely secure. We continuously review and enhance our security measures to mitigate risks.

We may retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected or as required by applicable laws. Once the data is no longer required for its intended purpose or for legal or business reasons, we will dispose of or destroy your personal data, or remove any means by which it can be linked to you.

We generally do not transfer your personal data outside of Singapore. In the event that such a transfer is necessary—for example, to process your application with our overseas partners and to deliver services you have requested—we will obtain your consent where required and take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal data continues to be protected to a standard comparable to the requirements of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (the "PDPA").

If you have any enquiries or feedback regarding our personal data protection policies and practices, or if you would like to access or correct your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) at:

Data Protection Officer

Nanyang Institute of Social Sciences

Email: dpo@niss.edu.sg

Phone: +65 6592 0000

When contacting us, please include your full name, contact details, and a brief description of your query or concern. We treat all queries and feedback seriously and will respond in a confidential and timely manner.

We may update this Data Protection Policy from time to time without prior notice. The most current version will be published on our official website.