One Stop Portal - Education In Singapore

S'pore top Asian city for varsity education

2012-02-15T13:18:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2012--
High quality of life, strong reputation among employers help Republic achieve ranking of 12th best in the world

By Amelia Tan

SINGAPORE has been ranked the 12th best city in the world and the top Asian city for students to pursue a university education, in a new listing by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

The Best Student Cities ranking by the education and career consultancy compares how attractive 98 cities are as destinations for both local and international students to pursue higher education.

Each city had to have a population of more than 250,000 and at least two institutions ranked in the QS world university listings.

They were ranked according to five equally weighted categories.

QS looked at how the universities performed in its world university rankings last year. The National University of Singapore (NUS) was in 28th place, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was 58th in the ranking.

The Singapore Management University, which specialises mainly in business, was not included in the annual survey.

The other criteria were: The mix of local and international students in the schools, the quality of living in the cities, the universities' reputation among employers for producing excellent graduates and the affordability of education and cost of living in the cities.

QS intelligence unit head Ben Sowter said Singapore's high quality of life and strong reputation among employers were reasons why the city came in ahead of cities with world-renowned universities such as Chicago, which was in 15th place, and New York, at 18th place.

Paris took top place, followed by London. European cities had a good showing, with 20 of them making it to the top 50. QS said the performance of European cities was bolstered by their high scores in affordability and quality of living.

American universities such as Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology traditionally take the top few spots in university rankings.

But US cities fell behind in the new rankings, partly because of the relatively high tuition fees and relative high cost of living, said QS.

Boston, where Harvard is located, came in third, and was the only American city to make it to the top 10. Singapore and Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo made it to the top 20.

The Best Student Cities ranking takes a different approach from the world university listings by QS and Britain's Times Higher Education magazine, both of which look at individual universities rather than cities.

The university rankings also do not take into account factors such as affordability and quality of life.

Mr Sowter said: 'Making informed higher education decisions is about more than just choosing the most prestigious university.

'By taking into account factors such as affordability and employer reputation, this ranking gives students a wider comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of different study destinations around the world.'

He said Singapore did well overall, but fell behind in affordability because of the relatively high cost of living here.

NTU and NUS said they were glad Singapore did well.

NUS provost Tan Eng Chye said: 'We are also pleased to note that Singapore is rated positively by local and international employers. The results reflect a strong recognition from global employers of the world-class quality of NUS' education and research.'

NTU associate provost of undergraduate education, Professor Kam Chan Hin, said: 'The fact that QS places Singapore among the top 12 cities in the world confirms that we are on the right track to establishing ourselves in the top league of nations with the world's best universities.'

ameltan@sph.com.sg

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Top 20 student cities

1. Paris

2. London

3. Boston

4. Melbourne

5. Vienna

6. Sydney

7. Zurich

8. Berlin

8. Dublin

10. Montreal

11. Barcelona

12. Singapore

13. Munich

14. Lyon

15. Chicago

16. Madrid

17. San Francisco

18. New York

19. Hong Kong

19. Tokyo

SOURCE: QUACQUARELLI SYMONDS

ITE and polytechnics to raise fees

2012-02-11T22:36:00.001+08:00

--TODAY, 11 Feb 2012--
Steeper increases for PR and international students in coming academic year

SINGAPORE - Students at the five polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will pay higher fees for the coming academic year (AY2012), with sharper increases for permanent residents (PR) and international students than for Singaporean students.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the five polytechnics - Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic - said the fee increases are "necessary to help the polytechnics defray the increasing cost of delivering a high-quality education".

"The higher fee increases for PR and international students are to more clearly differentiate the privileges enjoyed by citizens over PRs and international students," they said.

For new PR and international students at the polytechnics, fees will increase 22 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, for AY2012. Fees for existing PR and international students will also increase but by smaller amounts.

In comparison, fees for new Singaporean students will increase 2.3 per cent (S$50) to S$2,250.

Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic will also increase the fees for their existing Polytechnic-Foreign Specialised Institution (Poly-FSI) degree courses by 2.5 per cent in AY2012, to between S$5,110 and S$8,500 per year. The fees currently range from S$4,980 to S$8,290. The revised tuition fees of these courses will apply to new and existing Singaporean students.

Separately, the ITE announced that fee increases for Singaporeans will range from about 2 per cent for a Technical Diploma in Culinary Arts course to approximately 7 per cent for a Nitec course. The new fee structure applies to both new and existing Singaporean students.

For new PR students, they will see an increase of about 114 per cent for full-time Nitec courses, while international students will see an increase of about 167 per cent.

Existing PR and international students admitted before AY2012 will also pay higher fees based on the fee structure at the point of their admission.

The ITE said the fee increases are necessary given the rising costs of delivering high-quality education, adding it will continue to receive a substantial subsidy from the Government to cover the bulk of its costs.

Both the ITE and the polytechnics assured that there are sufficient financial assistance schemes in place to help students in financial difficulties.

Universities to raise tuition fees

2012-02-11T22:35:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 11 Feb 2012--

SINGAPORE: Three universities in Singapore -- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and National University of Singapore (NUS) -- said they will raise their tuition fees for the 2012 academic year.

This comes as the five polytechnics in Singapore as well as the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) announced on Friday fee hikes for the academic year (AY) 2012, which starts in April.

Students at NUS can expect tuition fees to be raised by four per cent to S$7,460 in AY2012/2013. The fee hike works out to be a yearly increase of 1.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans studying at NTU will pay four to six per cent more than their seniors, depending on their course of study.

Those starting their courses at SMU will pay five per cent more.

As announced earlier by the government, with effect from the cohort of AY2012/2013, fees for Singapore Permanent Residents and international students will be 32 per cent and 84 per cent higher respectively, than those for Singapore citizens.

- CNA/wk

Universities, polys, ITE to raise tuition fees by around 2% - 7%

2012-02-11T22:29:00.002+08:00

--The Straits Times, 11 Feb 2012--
Increase of 2% - 7% is to 'keep up with rising costs of providing quality education'

By Amelia Tan

Singapore's three universities, five polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) yesterday announced separately that they will raise tuition fees by around 2 per cent to 7 per cent for the next academic year.

They said the increases were due to the increased cost of providing a quality education. As in previous years, the increases will be bigger for permanent residents and foreigners than for citizens.

At the polytechnics and ITE, the fee increase will affect new and existing students. At the universities, however, the increases will affect only incoming students. But male students who applied for places before their national service will have their tuition fees pegged to the date of their applications.

University fees have generally been increased almost yearly, as the Government has said previously it would have more frequent but smaller fee increases rather than a hefty hike every few years.

From this year, Singaporeans starting at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will pay 4 per cent to 6 per cent more than their seniors, depending on the course; those starting at the Singapore Management University (SMU) will pay 5 per cent more.

The biggest increases are for the business courses at NTU and the architecture, business, medicine, dentistry, nursing, law, music, and pharmacy courses at NUS. Fees for all these courses will go up by 6 per cent.

Singaporeans starting at the Singapore Institute of Technology, which offers degree programmes for poly graduates, will pay 2.6 per cent more than their seniors.

At the polytechnics, Singaporeans enrolled in diploma courses this year will pay $50 more than last year - a rise of 2.3 per cent, to $2,250 a year.

Singaporeans studying in a Nitec course or Higher Nitec course at the ITE will pay $20 more a year, amounting to $300 for a Nitec course and $536 for a Higher Nitec course. Singaporeans taking the technical engineer diploma will pay $2,250, or $50 more.

The fee hikes are steeper for non-citizens across the board. For example, a permanent resident admitted to SMU to study law this year will pay $15,610, or $1,430 more than last year. An international student will pay $21,750, or $2,400 more. Singaporeans reading law will pay $11,820, or $579 more than their seniors who entered last year.

The institutions stressed that financial help is available.

Students interviewed said they were not surprised by the announcement as there had been regular fee hikes recently. 'I think the fees are still affordable now,' said Gan Sok Ting, 19, a final-year biotechnology student at Singapore Polytechnic. 'But if the fees go up higher, by about $100, for example, it might be expensive for some students.'

ITE Higher Nitec student Aw Meng Kit, 17, said: 'I think the increase is reasonable. The Government has been trying to raise the standard of ITE education by providing us with good facilities and teachers.'

ameltan@sph.com.sg

Polys, ITEs up fees for PRs, int'l students

2012-02-11T13:25:00.000+08:00

--The Business Times, 11 Feb 2012--

COURSE fees at polytechnics and the Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) here will increase significantly for permanent residents (PRs) and international students in academic year 2012, to differentiate the privileges enjoyed by citizens over foreigners.

A joint statement from the five polytechnics - Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Republic, Singapore and Temasek - said that fees for new PRs and international students will be raised 22 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively. Fees for existing students who are PRs or international students will also increase, but by smaller amounts.

Singaporean students entering any of the polytechnics in the new academic year will see their course fees increase by $50, or 2.3 per cent, to $2,250.

Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic will also raise the fees for their existing Polytechnic-Foreign Specialised Institution (Poly-FSI) degree courses by 2.5 per cent. Local students pursuing Poly-FSI degree courses will pay fees ranging between $5,110 and $8,500 per year. The revised tuition fees will apply to both new and existing local students.

The polytechnics said the fee increases are necessary to help defray the rising cost of delivering high- quality education.

'The higher fee increases for PR and international students are to more clearly differentiate the privileges enjoyed by citizens over PRs and international students,' the joint statement said. 'The polytechnics will continue to receive a substantial subsidy from the government to cover the bulk of their costs.'

Over at the ITEs, new PR students will pay $4,000 a year for full-time Nitec courses, up from $1,870. For full-time Higher Nitec courses, fees for new PR students will increase to $7,150 per annum, from $3,450.

Similarly, new international students who are not PRs will pay $10,000 and $17,870 per annum for a full-time Nitec course and a full-time Higher Nitec course respectively, up from $3,740 and $6,880 per annum.

Existing PR and international students admitted prior to the 2012 academic year will also pay higher fees based on the fee structure at the point of their admission.

For locals, the annual fees will go up by $20 for both Nitec and Higher Nitec courses to $300 and $536, respectively. Those pursuing the Technical Engineer Diploma will see their fee increase by $50 to $2,250, while the Technical Diploma in Culinary Arts course will now cost $50 more at $2,560 per year. The new fee structure applies to both new and existing Singaporean students.

Educational institutions raise fees, hikes steeper for non-citizens

2012-02-10T22:38:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Timees, 10 Feb 2012--

By Amelia Tan

Students studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS) University Town (UTown). The three universities, five polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) announced separately on Friday that they will raise tuition fees for the academic year starting 2012. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

The three universities, five polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) announced separately on Friday that they will raise tuition fees for the academic year starting 2012.

The institutions said the increased cost of providing a quality education has led to the the fee hikes and in accordance with previous hikes, the increases will be greater for permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners than for citizens.

At the polytechnics and ITE, the fee increase will affect new and existing students. At the universities, however, the fee increases will affect only incoming freshmen, but male students who applied for places prior to national service will have their tuition fees pegged to the date of their applications.

The universities have generally increased their fees every year in the last few years, with the exception of 2009, when the economic downturn sparked a deferment in fee increases.

Singaporeans starting at National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will pay 4 to 6 per cent more than their seniors; those starting at Singapore Management University (SMU) will pay 5 per cent more.

The largest increases are for the business courses at NTU and NUS, and the architecture, business, medicine, dentistry, nursing, law and pharmacy courses at NUS. Fees for these courses will go up by 6 per cent.

Singaporeans starting at the Singapore Institute of Technology which offers degree programmes for poly graduates, will pay 2.6 per cent more than their seniors.

At the polytechnics, Singaporeans enrolled in diploma courses for 2012 will pay $50 more than 2011 - a rise of 2.3 per cent, which will bring their fees to $2,250 a year.

Singaporeans enrolled in a National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (Nitec) course or higher Nitec course at ITE will pay $20 more a year, amounting to $300 for a Nitec course and $536 for a higher Nitec course. Singaporeans headed for the technical engineer diploma will pay $2,250 or $50 more.

The fee hikes are steeper for non-citizens across the board. For example, a PR enrolled in SMU to study law this year will pay $15,610 or $1,430 more than last year; an international student will pay $21,750 or $2,400 more. Singaporeans reading law there from 2012 will pay $11,820, or $579 more than their seniors who entered last year.

The institutions said the higher fee differentiation between Singaporeans citizens, PRs and foreigners is in line with the Government's move to sharpen the differentiation between the different groups and to reflect the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

They also stressed that financial help such as bursaries and and student loans are available for those requiring assistance.

Republic Poly chief upbeat about future

2012-01-31T23:42:00.004+08:00

--The Straits Time, 31 Jan 2012--
School building up niche programmes, and getting tougher to gain admission

By Amelia Tan

RP alumnus Derek Ong (above), 24, who started OSavory, a business making fish bak kwa. -- ST PHOTOS: CAROLINE CHIA

RP alumnus Derek Ong, 24, who started OSavory, a business making fish bak kwa (above). -- ST PHOTOS: CAROLINE CHIA

REPUBLIC Polytechnic (RP), the baby among the polytechnics here, turns 10 this year, and is still some way from being a top choice among students and their parents, its principal has said.

But a confident Mr Yeo Li Pheow said: 'We need time to establish our name, but I think we will get there soon.'

In an interview with The Straits Times ahead of the launch of its 10th anniversary celebrations, he noted that in its first decade, RP grew its enrolment from about 800 to 14,000, and developed its niche in sports science and sports management.

It will be the first polytechnic to offer a three-year diploma programme in sports coaching. The course, starting this year, will be among the 38 offered by RP, an increase from the five back in 2003.

RP took in its first students that year, operating out of a temporary campus at the former Ministry of Education headquarters at Kay Siang Road. It moved to its current Woodlands site in 2006.

The tussle for a place among students who have completed their O levels is getting keener by the year. Mr Yeo noted that the cut-off point for admission last year was at least a point lower than 2010's for half the courses.

Students use their aggregate score from their grades in O-level English, mathematics and three subjects relevant to the diploma they wish to pursue - the lower the cut-off point for a course, the harder it is to win a place on it.

But Mr Yeo said RP is still less competitive than the other four polytechnics here - Temasek, Ngee Ann, Nanyang and Singapore (SP).

For example, RP's cut-off for its biotechnology diploma programme was 23 last year; at SP, it was 10. RP's cut-off for aerospace engineering last year was 21. An applicant with this aggregate would have stood no chance of getting a place in the SP equivalent, which had a cut-off of 12.

Mr Yeo is not disheartened, because he believes the relative ease of entry into RP comes from it still not having made its name, rather than because its courses lack quality.

He said: 'Cut-off points are determined by supply and demand. Frankly, if you ask me what I think parents will say when they think about RP, they will say, 'It is in Woodlands, (which is) so far.''

RP will become more accessible when the Thomson MRT line is ready by 2018. The nearest train now is at Woodlands MRT station on the North-South line, which is a 10-minute walk away.

Mr Yeo said he expects that the growing confidence in RP will continue to push down the cut-off scores for entry - already, the cut-off points for its biomedical sciences and biotechnology programmes fell three points to 19 and 23 respectively between 2010 and last year.

He is also banking on RP's alumni to burnish its reputation as they make their names in their fields.

Biotechnology graduate Derek Ong, 24, for example, started O Savory, which makes fish bak kwa, last year. It is not breaking even yet, but he hopes it will soon as it expands from being sold online into shops.

The young entrepreneur said: 'I learnt to be independent and to think on my feet through RP's problem-based learning approach. The entrepreneurship modules and food-science projects also helped me to see the business opportunity in fish bak kwa - it is healthier and can be sold in the halal food market.'

RP's 10th anniversary celebrations will be capped by a musical starring students and staff in October.

ameltan@sph.com.sg

商科依旧热门　新课程渐受落理工学院招生活动竞争更激烈

2012-01-31T21:36:00.001+08:00

--LianHe ZaoBao, 31 Jan 2012--

For 2012 JAE for Polytechnics, business management courses remain as the top choice among the applicants. Some new courses like new media and medical biology courses are also gaining in popularity. A spokesman from RP mentioned that enrolment rate for most courses have increased, such as supply chain management and biomedical sciences. Article mentioned on the favourable take-up rate of the 6 new diplomas including 3 offered by Republic Polytechnic.

陈秋华　王珏琪
　　理工学院联合招生和特别招生活动结果昨天公布，商科依旧是各工院最吃香的科系之一。与此同时，一些较新的课程如新媒体和生物医药科学等也日渐受学生欢迎，甚至还出现供不应求的现象。

　　从各课程的截分点显示，义安工院和新加坡工院的国际商务课程跟往年一样，还是遥遥领先，截分点分别是6分和7分。

　　截分点在9分或以下的课程则从前年的五个，增加一倍至今年的10个，显示更多课程的竞争激烈，获得更多O水准成绩优秀生的青睐。在约230个工院课程中，登上十大最低截分点排行榜的课程以商科、生物科学和心理学为主。

　　截分点最低的工程课程依旧是义安工院的工程科学，维持在9分。

　　新加坡工院发言人说，院内五大科系都出现供不应求的情况。最热门的有生物医药科学、国际商务和建筑学。

　　淡马锡工院不少课程，如飞行与宇航、商业与接待业和心理学课程也非常抢手。

　　共和工院的发言人则说，今年该院不少课程的报名率都提高，特别是新颖的学科如供应链管理、生物医药科学和生物科技。

　　义安工院院长谢名章受访时透露，该院受欢迎的几个科系依旧是会计、商业与传媒。

　　他说：“一般来说，每年各科系的报名率波动并不会太大，大概因为学生到了这个年龄，都已知道自己的志向所在。工院能做的，就是确保提供的课程能跟得上市场的需求。”

　　义安工院分别在前年和2005年开办的华文媒体与传播及汉学这两门中文课程的报名人数明显增加。义安工院发言人指出，这相信是因为两大课程提供给学生独特的学习体验，每名学生都有机会到中国、香港或台湾参与交流计划。
　　为了进入华文媒体与传播系，O水准会考成绩不太理想的张雅琪特别通过“理工学院联合特别招生计划”才获录取。

　　她说：“我从小就对中文媒体有兴趣，前几年知道义安工院有这项课程就决定报读，没想到会考成绩不理想，达不到12分的截分点。幸好我一直都有进修广播和采访技巧等，所以才被录取。”

　　南洋工院在受询时则表示不愿对招生结果置评。

　　此外，几所工院今年相继推出六个新专业文凭课程，其中一半来自共和工院。新课程截分点介于11分至26分，大部分工院受询时都表示新课程得到不错的回响。

　　一心想往漫画界发展的洪慧敏（17岁），就是其中一名“大胆”报读新加坡工院全新的商业创新与设计课程文凭课程的学生。她虽然在中四会考考获六科10分的成绩，可升上初级学院，却选择报读工院。

　　她说：“未来我想当一名漫画家，拥有自己的绘画事业。但是要做一名成功的漫画家，除了要画得好，还要懂得构思和推销自己的概念和作品。新课程鼓励学生从创新的思维经营生意，我觉得对日后会有很大的帮助。”

　　不过，有些学生仍然倾向选择传统上较吃香的商科课程。

　　洪少隆的O水准会考成绩优异，他报读新加坡工院国际商务文凭课程。他受访时告诉记者，这纯粹是基于实际考量所作出的决定。

　　他说：“读工院如果毕业后考不上大学还能直接到社会工作，但上初院如果进不了大学就吃亏了。而商科是最大众化的学科，出来要从事什么行业都行。”

qiuhua@sph.com.sg
ongjq@sph.com.sg
报道

NUS, NTU programmes rated among world's top 35

2012-01-31T20:25:00.001+08:00

--TODAY, 31 Jan 2012--
by Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE - Two Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes here have been ranked among the world's top 35 by the Financial Times (FT).

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School's MBA programme retained its place at 23rd for the second year running. This is the highest ranking attained by a Singapore university.

According to the NUS, its school did well in several categories in the FT annual ranking of the top 100 MBA programmes around the world this year.

For example, post-MBA salaries of graduates increased by 185 per cent over pre-MBA salaries, it said.

The school remained ninth in the world for its graduates' international mobility. This, the school said, reflects the broad international demand from employers for its MBA graduates.

The Nanyang Technological University's Nanyang Business School (NBS), meanwhile, has been placed in 34th position in the FT annual ranking. It is the fourth straight year that NBS has been ranked among the world's top 35, although it held the 33rd position last year.

The NBS said its MBA graduates charted the highest salary level compared to other Singapore MBA graduates, with an average pay of US$102,350 (S$128,965) a year, three years after graduation.

The NBS MBA programme also ranks first in Singapore for the career progression opportunities and successful job placements offered to its graduates.

The Financial Times Global MBA Ranking is based upon data from business schools and their alumni. Three main areas are analysed: Alumni career progress, diversity of students and faculty, and ideas generation.

Rankings are heavily weighted on salary and salary increase three years after graduation, with both measures each accounting for 20 per cent of a school's rank.

2012 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

2012-01-30T15:55:00.002+08:00

Posting results for 2012 JAE are now available. Check your posting results via JAE-IS: https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TMFServlet?app=MOE-EI-RESULTRELEASE&isNew=true&Reload=true&access=5nkYa7Lr9Gvf3zW1.

Candidates posted to Junior College or Millennia Institute are to report to their posted institution on 31 January at 7.30 am

For candidates posted to Polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education, an enrolment package/letter with relevant enrolment details will be sent to them.

What is new for the 2012 Joint Admissions Exercise?
Starting from 2012, Pioneer Junior College (PJC) will be offering Malay Language Elective Programme (MLEP). Eligible students may apply for the LEP (Language Elective Programme) online via the JAE Internet System (JAE-IS).

What is the Joint Admissions Exercise?
The Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) is conducted annually by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to allow Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level certificate holders to apply for admission to courses offered by:

-Junior Colleges (JC)
-the Millennia Institute (MI)
-Polytechnics (Poly)
-Institute of Technical Education

Who can participate in the 2012 Joint Admissions Exercise?
For 2012 Joint Admissions Exercise, the following candidates are eligible to participate except those who have been successfully admitted to a JC/Poly through the Direct School Admission-Junior Colleges (DSA-JC) or Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA)

-All Singapore Citizens (SC) or Permanent Residents (SPR) with valid Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations results from any year.

-International students studying in a Government School, Government-Aided School or Independent School in Singapore with valid 2011 Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level Examination results.

You may refer to eligibility criteria for more information.

When is the Joint Admissions Exercise conducted?
The Joint Admissions Exercise is typically conducted in January after the release of the Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level examination results. For 2012 JAE, you may refer to Important Dates for more information.

The JAE is conducted in 3 phases:

-Registration Phase — this phase is for candidates to submit their registration for courses after the release of the Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level examination results.

-Posting Phase — this phase is for the posting of applicants to JC/MI/Poly/ITE courses.

-Posting Results Release Phase — this phase is for the release of JAE posting results. Candidates posted to JC/MI are to report to their posted institution on the next working day after the posting results. Those posted to Poly/ITE, an enrolment package with relevant enrolment details will be sent to them.

How to apply for the Joint Admissions Exercise?
Applications for courses under the JAE should be submitted online through the JAE Internet System (JAE-IS).

Alternatively, applicants may register at the Customer Service Centre, Ministry of Education (MOE-CSC) during the JAE Registration period. Applicants are required to bring along their original identity card, original GCE ‘O’ Level Examination certificate(s)/result slip(s) and Secondary School report book and/or CCA Certificate(s).

You may refer to the Application Flowchart on the details of the JAE application process.

New programme brings SE Asia's young archaeologists together

2012-01-30T15:49:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 30 Jan 2012--

Myanmar participant Su Latt Win examining artefacts during a lab session at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies on Friday. Field-school programme participants picking up ancient pottery fragments in Kou Pnouv, near Angkor Wat, earlier this month. -- ST PHOTO: SAMUEL HE PHOTO: COURTESY OF FOO SHU TIENG

By Lin Zhaowei

While history undergraduate Christine Chan's peers at the National University of Singapore were busy working on their honours-year theses, she was taking four weeks off to visit Cambodian archaeological sites and attend workshops in the field.

She was among 10 young people from top Asia-Pacific universities picked to attend the first field-school programme organised by the newly set-up Archaeology Unit of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies' Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre.

Participants spent two weeks in Cambodia's existing and potential excavation sites this month, and are finishing up a two-week stint here, attending workshops and studying artefacts.

Dr John Miksic, who heads the Archaeology Unit, said the programme aims to provide a platform for emerging historians and archaeologists to network and gain exposure. 'Young people are now more keen on international collaboration in general,' he said, and noted also the spike in interest in the Chinese connection in South-east Asia's history, thus far not very well recorded.

'This requires archaeologists to work with their counterparts in the region,' he said.

To this end, the unit aims to develop long-term links with regional institutions and act as a coordinating body for the sharing of information.

With activities at the unit picking up pace, new members have been added to its ranks.

At its inception last August, it had just three part-time members - Dr Miksic, Assistant Professor Goh Geok Yian of Nanyang Technological University, and visiting research fellow Lim Chen Sian. Since then, a full-time research associate and two part-timers who handle communications and volunteers have joined the team.

Dr Miksic said the setting-up of a website to share working papers and publications is under way; this project will take time because the unit needs to tie up with those in the field in other countries, he said.

The unit is now touching base with Myanmar's culture ministry. Dr Miksic, noting that the country is opening up quickly, said his unit is interested in running training programmes there, perhaps by the year end.

Next year, he hopes to work on a field site in Trowulan village on Indonesia's island of Java. It is known to have been part of the Majapahit empire, which counted Singapore as one of its tributaries in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Dr Miksic believes that archaeology programmes, such as the ongoing field school, should benefit local communities where archaeological studies are being undertaken. For example, in the Cambodian village of Kou Pnouv near the famed Angkor Wat, where the archaeological unit conducted a surface survey, the villagers do not even have water wells.

'With funding, we hope to contribute something back to the villagers... so they can see archaeology as something they can promote and defend, instead of seeing artefacts as items they can sell for short-term gain,' he said.

Ms Chan, 22, does not intend to pursue archaeology after graduating - she wants a master's in history - but said she gained exposure from the four-week programme and from interacting with the other participants.

She said: 'Most of them are doing archaeology at the post-graduate level, and they really like what they do. There's a lot of energy.'

zhaowei@sph.com.sg

Related Links
TEXT AND PHOTOS: AMELIA TENG GRAPHICS: TIEN CHUNG PING SOURCE: ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM

NUS, NTU among top 35 for MBA programmes, NTU grads earn most

2012-01-30T15:45:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 30 Jan 2012--

Students of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) during the convocation ceremony at Nanyang Auditorium. -- ST PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN

Two local universities have made it to the top 35 in a global ranking of business schools' Master of Business Administration programmes.

The Financial Times' Global MBA Ranking, released on Monday, placed the National University of Singapore (NUS) at 23rd, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) weighed in at 34th.

The rankings are based upon data from business schools and their alumni, and takes into account the career progression of the school's alumni, diversity of students and faculty and the generation of ideas. Salary and its increases three years after graduation also make up 20 per cent of a school's rank.

Although Nanyang Business School was ranked 34th compared to NUS' 23rd, their MBA graduates charted the highest salary level compared to other Singapore MBA graduates, claimed the university in a press release on Monday. The average pay of a Nanyang Business School graduate stands at US$102,350 (S$128,325) a year, three years after graduation.

Professor Gillian Yeo, Interim Dean of Nanyang Business School said, 'Our consistently strong showing in these well recognised, independent MBA rankings affirms NBS' membership in the league of elite international business schools.

'We are most gratified that those who pass through our doors are reaping the benefits, enjoying good salaries, and taking up more senior positions in bigger companies. This attests to the high quality of our MBA curriculum that is closely tied to professional practice and a high degree of industry relevance,' Professor Yeo added.

办工作坊让学生了解教学方式新科大期待更多女生报读

2012-01-29T15:40:00.000+08:00

--LianHeZaoBao, 29 Jan 2012--

参加工作坊的学生非常投入专题作业式的讨论和学习，对工作坊留下深刻印象。（蔡婉婷摄)

林诗慧

　　新加坡科技设计大学（Singapore University of Technology and Design，简称SUTD）为招募更多女生报读，昨天特地举办了一场“科技与设计领域的女性”工作坊。

　　新科大校长马尼安蒂教授（Thomas Magnanti）受访时说，在传统工程学院，女生约占总学生人数的15%到20%，新科大想要改变这样的现象。

　　他指出：“女生大多觉得工程系沉闷，对社会、环境和大自然的影响也不大。我们希望借由工作坊让她们知道，我们的教学方式能够让这门科目的学习引人入胜。”

　　新科大将在今年4月开课，首批准备录取400名学生。据了解，已经录取的200多人中，女生约占28%。新科大定下的目标是40%。

　　马尼安蒂教授说：“A水准会考成绩放榜后，相信会有更多学生提出申请，我们对更多女生报读感到乐观。”

约150名学生到场“上课”

　　前天的工作坊大约吸引了150名年龄介于17岁至21岁的初级学院和理工学院生到场参加。据观察，约三分之二是女生。

　　工作坊让有意报读新科大的学生亲身体验在这所大学上课的情形。学生在长达两个小时的“上课时间”里，针对一个有关柬埔寨医疗问题的假设性案例分组进行讨论，构思及尝试制作出恰当的解决方案。

　　选择这个课题是因为比较能够引起女生的兴趣。此外，指导学生的主要是来自新科大、美国麻省理工学院（Massachusetts Institute of Technology，简称MIT）和威尔斯利学院（Wellesley College）的女教授。

　　先驱初院二年级生郑捷欣受访时说：“我没想到工作坊会进行这样的活动。它就像在做专题作业（project work）。我觉得非常有趣，也很喜欢创造新科技产品和改善现有产品外观。”

　　她有意报读新科大，主修工程产品开发。

*shlim@sph.com.sg

《联合早报》
（编辑：黄爱莲）

New NTU programme to woo S'pore's best students

2012-01-26T12:36:00.000+08:00

--AsiaOne, 26 Jan 2012--

THE Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has launched a specially tailored programme to attract top-tier Singaporean students to pursue their tertiary education locally.

Called the University Scholars Programme (USP), it is aimed at equipping high-potential students with a diverse set of multidisciplinary skills and knowledge, in order for them to become future leaders and innovators in their chosen fields.

The programme, open only to the top 50 students entering NTU's four colleges, will focus strongly on cultivating critical thinking and the articulation of independent thought to help them better realise their full potential, said NTU.

USP students will be required to maintain a "very high-level" grade point average to stay in the programme.

They will have a guaranteed opportunity to study overseas for a semester at prestigious partner universities such as Imperial College London and the University of California, Berkeley. A travel grant of up to $5,000 will also be provided.

They will enjoy student accommodation at NTU throughout their course of study and, upon graduation, will receive an additional certificate on top of their degree.

The first intake of USP students will be admitted in the new academic year, which begins end-July.

Professor Kam Chan Hin, the associate provost for undergraduate education at NTU, said: "Our target is the very top students who are looking at going overseas to study... We want to get them to stay back, save some money and get as good an education here - if not better."

He expressed confidence in the quality of education offered in Singapore, saying that top scholars from all over the world are drawn to pursue their studies here.

NTU's USP is not just offered to Singaporeans but is also open to all undergraduates applying for entry into the university, based on their individual merits.

"The whole remit of education is that you interact with people around the world. It would be our local students' loss if we are only Singaporeans among Singaporeans," said Prof Freddy Boey, the provost of NTU.

"But, clearly, this programme will benefit mostly Singaporeans."

NTU's USP programme follows in the footsteps of a similar one with the same name, rolled out by the National University of Singapore in 2000.

Both programmes offer the top students at their universities a range of exclusively designed courses in addition to the modules under their selected majors.

Students in the programmes also benefit from smaller class sizes for the USP modules, and closer collaboration with professors and other experts brought in to help with the classes.

In the case of NTU, its USP students will have to take five core courses, including a writing and reasoning course.

They will also be required to take five electives spanning topics such as Social Sciences; Arts, Humanities and Culture; Science and Engineering; and Inter-disciplinary Studies, which includes modules such as Innovation, Enterprise and Leadership.

Entry to NTU's USP is by invitation only, unlike the NUS programme, which has an open application practice.

Prof Alan Chan, dean of NTU's School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, said the university did not set up its own USP to compete with or copy that of NUS, but to offer the best to the university's students.

"Going forward, we would like to see cooperation and collaboration between the two scholars' programmes, and that would really bring benefit to the next generation," said Prof Chan, who is also an adviser to the NTU's USP.

New NTU programme to groom future leaders

2012-01-26T12:28:00.001+08:00

--The Straits Times, 26 Jan 2012--

By Lin Zhaowei

From this year, the academically brightest of each freshman cohort at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will be invited to join a special programme that will stretch them even further.

The University Scholars Programme, which will take its first students this August, aims to attract and groom future leaders and innovators.

Participating students will take at least 10 specially designed modules across various disciplines, in addition to those in their major subjects. These modules will include medical humanities, quantitative reasoning and evolutionary psychology. The students will be mentored by top NTU professors during the course of their studies.

They will also be given a one-off travel grant of up to $5,000 each, and study for a semester overseas at partner institutes such as Imperial College London, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Toronto.

BACKGROUND STORY
THE RIGHT STUFF
'NTU needs to produce the future generation of leaders and high achievers equipped with multi-disciplinary knowledge, skills and qualities. This is what is needed for the workplace in the 21st century.'

NTU deputy president and provost Freddy Boey

UniSIM to boost enrolment to meet surge in demand

2012-01-25T14:13:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 25 January 2012--
2,000 more places to meet surge in demand due to rise in govt subsidies

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

SIM University (UniSIM) has experienced a surge in interest due to an increase in government subsidies for workers going back to school to pursue a degree. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Singapore's only university aimed at working adults is to boost its number of students to a record 12,000 this year.

SIM University (UniSIM) has experienced a surge in interest due to an increase in government subsidies for workers going back to school to pursue a degree.

About 400 more people than last year applied for its January intake alone. To meet the higher demand, UniSIM plans to raise its total enrolment from 10,000 to 12,000 over the next six months. UniSIM president Cheong Hee Kiat said the rise in applications was due to Singaporeans' growing aspirations and the increase in tuition subsidies last year.

Workers pursuing part-time degrees at UniSIM and the three publicly funded universities now have 55 per cent of their fees paid for, up from 40 per cent before. This means a student enrolled in a three-year course costing $30,000 could end up paying just about $14,000.

'Singaporean workers see the need to upgrade themselves to better their job prospects,' said Professor Cheong. 'The Government's bigger subsidy adds to that push.'

Applicants are also attracted by the specialised courses UniSIM offers, he said.

Before launching a new programme, university officials study academic and market trends to make sure it will be relevant to the job market and appeal to students.

'For example, we discovered that although local universities offer social work courses, none offers counselling degrees despite the growing demand for them, so we moved into this area a few years ago,' said Prof Cheong.

UniSIM also looked at the various skills required by preschool teachers and found that there were no courses for those who taught in Mandarin.

Prof Cheong said the university conducted employment surveys which found that its graduates enjoyed better job prospects and salaries after finishing their degrees.

Nearly six in 10 earned more after graduating, according to the latest poll last year. It showed that their salaries increased by about 21 per cent a year on average - rising from about $40,000 to $50,000.

Many also found that their career choices opened up after they got their de-gree.

A third managed to switch jobs within two years of graduating, and 60 per cent moved to an entirely different industry.

UniSIM students told The Straits Times that they chose the university because it offers an effective and more affordable alternative to equivalent studies at private schools or institutions overseas.

Polytechnic diploma-holder Lee Xin Yu, who works as a sales coordinator, said she signed up for an aviation business degree at UniSIM because of the heavily discounted tuition fees.

She was also attracted to the course because it is run in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a leading American aviation and aerospace college that supplies more graduates to major airlines than any equivalent programme worldwide.

Ms Lee, 21, said: 'Embry-Riddle is about the best there is out there. And to think that with the government subsidy, I will have to pay only $48,000 in fees over five years. If I were to head to the

United States, it would easily cost five times more. It's a good deal.'

Business development manager T. Vijayakumaran, who is taking up a mass communications degree, said the government subsidy is a big help.

The 33-year-old polytechnic diploma-holder said he picked UniSIM because its courses are tailored to the needs of students who have to balance work and study.

UniSIM, Singapore's first privately funded university, is spending $300 million on new premises to meet higher enrolment numbers.

Its parent company, Singapore Institute of Management, unveiled a development masterplan under which 56,000 sq m will be added to its Clementi campus by 2014.

sandra@sph.com.sg

Background story
GOVT SUBSIDY HELPS

'Singaporean workers see the need to upgrade themselves to better their job prospects.

The Government's bigger subsidy adds to that push.'
UniSIM president Cheong Hee Kiat

NUS law school reviews student admission procedures

2012-01-25T14:11:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 25 January 2012--
It says greater diversity among intake will widen experience of students

By Amelia Tan

National University of Singapore first-year law students Jezer Goh, 21 (left), who was from Meridian JC, and Shawn Joo, also 21, a Pioneer Junior College alumnus, welcome the law faculty's move to try to attract students from schools beyond well-known ones like Raffles Institution and Hwa Chong Institution. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

The majority of law students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) come from a handful of well-known schools, but this may soon change.

The law faculty is currently reviewing its admission procedures to ensure greater diversity in the backgrounds, abilities and interests of undergraduates.

'It is true that a large number of our students come from a small number of institutions,' the dean of the law school, Professor Simon Chesterman, told The Straits Times. 'Inevitably, our students will be interacting with classmates from similar backgrounds and who come from the same schools,' he said.

'But to be good lawyers, it is essential that the students learn how to understand different people from a wide range of backgrounds. We want to broaden the experience of our students.' As part of the review, faculty staff will look at ways to attract students from a wider range of schools, not only those from schools like Raffles Institution and Hwa Chong Institution.

To encourage a broader range of junior college and integrated programme students to apply to do law, professors will visit more schools to talk about the NUS undergraduate programme and what a law career entails.

Students will be invited to attend open houses at the law school.

The review will also look at the kind of attributes the law school wants in applicants admitted under its discretionary scheme.

Up to 10 per cent of each cohort at NUS can be admitted under this scheme, where factors besides academic grades - such as leadership and accomplishments in other areas - are considered.

Admission to the law school is very competitive. Each year, between 750 and 800 hopefuls are shortlisted for interviews and a written test, but only 250 are admitted.

Prof Chesterman, who took over as dean from Prof Tan Cheng Han earlier this month, said: 'We want to ensure that getting one B for your A levels does not mean you are excluded from being considered for a place at the law faculty.

'We will look out for things like leadership in co-curricular activities and involvement in community work.'

The review is being led by the vice-dean of student affairs, Associate Professor Joel Lee. The changes to the admission process and criteria will be applied to admissions in March next year.

Prof Chesterman also said he welcomed Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong's recent call for more lawyers to volunteer to represent clients through pro bono work.

The law faculty is working with the Singapore Institute of Legal Education and the Singapore Academy of Law to offer a pro bono programme by next year, and all students would have to go through it before graduating.

Law students now help out at free legal clinics on an ad hoc basis, by supporting lawyers who are doing pro bono work.

Prof Chesterman hopes the new programme will encourage more students to do pro bono work. He said this would give students more exposure to the different types of work that lawyers do and also help them find their calling in law.

He said: 'Some are drawn to law because the pay is good. But many then burn out because money is not enough to keep them going. The ones who really stick with law are the ones who love it, because of the ideas or because of the difference they can make in society.'

NUS law undergraduates and practising lawyers welcomed the move to encourage students from a wider range of backgrounds to join the faculty.

First-year law student Jezer Goh, 21, who attended Meridian Junior College, said: 'I felt intimidated when I was applying because I did not know of other seniors who got in before me and I could not ask their advice.

'I think students from different JCs will be encouraged to apply if they know more about the NUS law faculty.'

Criminal lawyer Subhas Anandan said: 'I think it is a good move that the law faculty is looking for other talents in students. Being able to interact and empathise with others are important qualities that lawyers should have.'

ameltan@sph.com.sg

JAE, JPSAE posting results to be released next Monday

2012-01-25T14:04:00.001+08:00

--CNA, 25 January 2012--

SINGAPORE: The Education Ministry will release the posting results for the 2012 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) and the Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) on Monday, January 30 at 8.00 am.

The ministry said students can obtain their posting results via the following channels:

• JAE-Internet System (JAE-IS) that is accessible through the JAE website at www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/jae; and
• Short Messaging System (SMS) to the mobile phone number provided by the applicant during registration.

Candidates posted to a junior college (JC) or the Millennia Institute (MI) should report to these institutions on Tuesday, January 31 at 7.30 am.

Candidates posted to a polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education (ITE) course will receive further instructions via an enrolment package from the respective institutions by mail.

Applicants who wish to appeal for a transfer to another JC, ITE or the MI should approach the institution of their choice directly.

Students who wish to make an appeal either for a place in a polytechnic diploma course or seek a transfer to another diploma course can do so via the Centralised Joint Polytechnic JAE appeal system from 9.00 am on January 30, to 4.00 pm on February 1.

For more information on this exercise, you can go to the Joint Polytechnic JAE Appeal Website at http://www.polytechnic.edu.sg/jaeappeal.

Information on the cut-off points for all courses offered in the 2012 JAE will be available on this website from January 30.

- CNA/cc

--The Straits Times, 25 January 2012--

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will release the posting results for the 2012 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) and the Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) on Monday, Jan 30, at 8am.

Students can obtain their posting results through the JAE-Internet System (JAE-IS) that is accessible through the JAE website at www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/jae; and by SMS to the mobile phone number provided by the applicant during registration.

Candidates posted to a Junior College (JC) or the Millennia Institute (MI) should report to these institutions on Tuesday, Jan 31, at 7.30am. Candidates posted to a Polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education (ITE) course will receive further instructions via an enrolment package from the respective institutions by mail.

Applicants who wish to appeal for a transfer to another JC, ITE or the MI should approach the institution of their choice directly. Students who wish to make an appeal either for a place in a polytechnic diploma course or seek a transfer to another diploma course can do so via the Centralised Joint Polytechnic JAE appeal system from 9am, Monday, Jan 30, to 4pm on Wednesday, Feb 1.

NTU launches University Scholars Programme

2012-01-25T14:03:00.001+08:00

--CNA, 25 January 2012--

By Monica Kotwani

SINGAPORE: The Nanyang Technological University has launched a scholars programme aimed at preparing top students with diverse skills for their future careers.

Called the University Scholars Programme (USP), it will provide opportunities tailored for high-achievers in the local school system.

These include personal guidance by top faculty, interdisciplinary and intensive research opportunities, as well as overseas exposure.

Professor Kam Chan Hin, Associate Provost of Undergraduate Education at NTU, said: "Students from all the various disciplines will be grouped together in the same class, and they'll be talking about topical issues from their various perspectives, and I think it'll enrich their world view and their perspectives."

Students will be invited to join the programme and will be mentored by top faculty staff. They will study a semester overseas, complete with a travel grant of up to S$5,000, and interact with some of the world's greatest movers and shakers when they are in Singapore.

NTU says by providing these opportunities, it hopes to mould this group of high-achievers into leaders and innovators in their chosen fields.

Professor Freddy Boey, NTU Provost, said: "The problems that we face require solutions from more than one discipline. So it's important for these programmes that we teach students to think at the interface of two disciplines.

"An example is Humanities with Engineering - solving a social problem with technology, introducing technology in a socially responsible way. This group of students will be well exposed to interdisciplinary thinking, and they will be the leaders of the future - solving problems that are increasingly complex."

The programme works with a distinct structure - 25 per cent of the curriculum comes from its own core and elective modules. These include modules such as philosophy of science and evolutionary psychology.

The remaining 75 per cent will come from courses from the student's chosen major in his or her discipline.

NTU says the launch of the USP comes at a time when the university has been doing very well, especially in research. This has translated into the possibility of hiring some of the best minds for the university.

Prof Boey said: "My question as Provost is - 'how does this benefit my students, including undergraduates?'. And this is a very effective way. We saw this as an opportunity to connect... and benefit students directly."

The university hopes the benefits will have a trickle-down effect on its intellectual climate.

Prof Kam said: "Our scholars programme has one unique feature - we do not group them separately. While they're doing their major, they're also taking courses from the Scholars Programme.

"So whatever they've learnt, whatever they've absorbed, when they participate in their major programme, they'll be able to enrich their classmates with their different perspectives."

NTU hopes to target top students who would otherwise enrol in universities overseas.

Professor Kam said: "We've noticed that many of them, for whatever reason, apply to overseas universities, so they leave the Singapore system. Right now in NTU, we have all the resources, we have all the eminent scholars whom we've attracted over the years.

"And isn't it a pity that while the talent of the world are coming to Singapore, our own potential talents are going somewhere else for their studies?"

Graduates will get a special certificate on top of their degree certificate when they complete the programme in four years.

The programme will start in the academic year of 2012-2013 from August with 50 students from the various colleges in NTU.

- CNA/cc/al

--The Straits Times, 25 Jan 2012--
NTU launches University Scholars Programme

By Lin Zhaowei
The Nanyang Technological University is starting a new undergraduate programme that aims to attract and groom future leaders and innovators.

Students in its University Scholars Programme will take specially designed small-group seminars, study for a semester overseas, and be mentored by top professors in the university. They will also be guaranteed accommodation at NTU throughout their four years of studies.

The programme will take in 50 academically brilliant students from each freshman cohort, starting this year. Entry will be by invitation. Undergraduates from all disciplines, with the likely exception of medicine, will be eligible for selection.

NTU associate provost of undergraduate education, Professor Kam Chan Hin, said the number of students selected for the programme may be increased in the future.

Ngee Ann Poly is top choice - again

2012-01-17T12:40:00.003+08:00

--The New Paper, 17 Jan 2012--

Report: Bryna Sim
brynasim@sph.com.sg

THEY waited with bated breath as the results started coming in.

But these were not students waiting to collect their examination results.

These were top management personnel from two polytechnics, anxious to find out the results of the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) 2012 which ended on Friday afternoon.

Their one big question: Who would come out tops as the poly of choice among students?

The New Paper understands that Singapore Polytechnic (SP) was initially in the lead.

For a while, it seemed like it would regain its top spot from 2010, after giving way to Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) last year.

But a few hours later, NP overtook SP and it was confirmed - NP would retain its top spot from last year as having the highest share of first- choice applicants.

This is an annual affair - a ranking of sorts for the polys - that has been taking place for more than a decade now.

As early as last Monday, netizens from the various polys were already speculating which institution would win.

Netizen SmileAlways_x tweeted them "Hope NP will be the top poly again in 2012!"

TNP broke the story of NP being the polytechnic of choice last year.

It was mentioned in the report that NP and SP have been on this competitive see-saw ride for years, where each would jostle with the other to be in the first place.

Last year, almost 7,000 students picked NP. About 21,200 students were posted to polytechnics last year.

In 2010, 6,943 students named SP as their institution of choice. About 20,300 students were accepted into the polytechnics that year.

In a celebratory e-mail to his staff on Friday evening, NP principal Chia Mia Chiang proudly proclaimed "Dear colleagues, we have done it gain! We have attained all-round excellence for JAE 2012."

TNP received a forwarded copy of the e-mail from non-poly sources yesterday.

Apart from NP attaining the top-choice polytechnic position, Mr Chia also cited NP's other achievements in his e-mail.

He wrote that NP has retained the top position in terms of quality of applicants.

"This is the fifth straight year that NP is the most preferred polytechnic among academically strong students," he wrote.

Last year was the fourth consecutive year that NP secured the highest proportion of applicants with O-level aggregate scores of between five and 10 points.

Mr Chia concluded his e-mail by thanking his staff saying "These sterling outcomes have been made possible by our indomitable spirit, tireless effort and impeccable team-work .

“It is with went delight that I convey to you NP's sincere thanks and appreciation for your unstinting support and contributions, and I wish you a restful and enjoyable weekend."

Happy

TNP also understands that NP staff were given a day off in recognition of their efforts, as was the case following the JAE exercise last year.

When contacted by TNP, NP's spokesman would only say: “We are happy that we have continued to do well.” He attributed NP's good performance to the strength of their courses and the "holistic learning experience" that their students are provided with.

In TNP's report last year, some of the polytechnics had felt that the JAE ought not be seen as a competition among the polys.

Still, based on the comments in Twitter-sphere on Friday, it seemed that word had already trickled out that NP was the top-choice poly. Tweeted netizen lovejoypeace in capital letters: "Oh yay! NP = top poly choice 2012”

But for others, especially applicants to the poly, this may not be good news.

Tweeted netizen _0327BELWSY: "NP is top poly choice this year? Uhm that doesn't sound great to me you know...I need to secure a place in NP."

Each polytechnic sought to draw potential applicants through social media platforms this year. All of them kept interested students up-to-date through either Twitter or Facebook, reminding them of when the JAE exercise would end and also using the online platforms to showcase their top students.

Some of the polys were creative in their posts.

For example, at the end of JAE 2012, Republic Polytechnic (RP) sent out a message on its Twitter account with a link to a "Thank You Song" on YouTube, thanking all those who had applied to RP.

On the Temasek Polytechnic Facebook page, their message wished applicants all the best and read "For now, enjoy the weekend!

“It’s been quite the week, we know."

SIT announces 2 new degree programmes in health sciences

2012-01-13T17:52:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 13 Jan 2012--

By Lin Zhaowei

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) announced two new degree programmes in the health sciences on Friday. -- PHOTO: DESMOND LIM

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) announced two new degree programmes in the health sciences on Friday.

It will be offering a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Nanyang Polytechnic, in partnership with the renowned Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.

The programmes will take in its first students in August this year.

SIT is expanding its intake from 1,000 last year to 1,300 this year. From August, it is also offering five other new degree programmes in communications and interior design, childhood education, aeronautical engineering and aerospace systems.

Largest stat board union targets graduates

2012-01-13T17:50:00.002+08:00

--The Straits Times, 13 Jan 2012--

By Cai Haoxiang

Mr Daniel Lai was elected president of the Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees yesterday. He takes over from Mr Abdul Rahim Farid, who will become an adviser to the union. General secretary N. Thurairajasingam was retained in his post. -- PHOTOS: NTUC

A union that represents workers from 12 statutory boards wants to get more fresh university and polytechnic graduates to join.

They will be coaxed to do so at induction programmes as well as at annual staff events.

The Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE) aims to increase its 5,600-strong membership to more than 8,000 by 2015.

The decision was taken on Thursday at its delegates' conference, held once every four years. New leaders were also elected at the event as part of the leadership renewal process in the labour movement.

Newly elected union president Daniel Lai said the recruitment drive was necessary to ensure the relevance of the union.

'Unions work on having collective bargaining power. If management or employers see we're not representative of the majority, then they will not speak to us,' he said.

Mr Lai, 58, a principal land survey executive from the Singapore Land Authority, took over from former president Abdul Rahim Farid, 60, who will become an adviser to the union.

General secretary N. Thurairajasingam, 54, remains in his post.

Executive secretary Yeo Guat Kwang said the membership drive aims to target professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) because they make up about 60 per cent of employees in the public sector but only 20 per cent of AUSBE's membership.

There is a potential pool of 8,000 PMEs among the 12 statutory boards, but union leaders are setting themselves a modest target of getting 600 to 700 each year.

'We are moving into new ground. So we don't want to set an unrealistic target,' said Mr Yeo.

'Many PMEs are not aware of how we can represent them when there are disputes or grievances. Some have the mistaken perception that we can't help senior officers,' he added.

Another goal the union has for the next four years is for union leaders to become better recognised by the management.

This can take the form of their work being highlighted in the staff appraisal report, said Mr Yeo.

Union leaders like Mr Lawrence Chong, 59, a senior inspector at the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), welcomed the recruitment drive.

The chairman of AUSBE's AVA branch recruited about 50 PMEs last year by talking to them personally about the benefits of joining, and by promoting the union at charity events held by AVA.

This boosted the PME representation in the 430-strong branch from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.

'For $9 a month, the union can help you when there are misunderstandings between senior and junior officers, or complaints about your work from others,' he said.

Education panel: No plans for another NUS or NTU

2012-01-13T17:47:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 13 Jan 2012--
New institution should offer something different from main universities

By Sandra Davie

Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong. -- ST PHOTO: NURIA LING

There are no plans to start another National University of Singapore or Nanyang Technological University, said Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong, who is heading a panel looking into providing more degree opportunities for Singaporeans.

He said setting up a new research-intensive university may not be the most cost-effective way to use taxpayers' money. It may be better to have an institution or pathway that offers something different from the main universities, be it more of a practical focus or simply alternative types of courses.

Mr Wong gave the example of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which he and the panel members visited on Wednesday.

He made clear that he was not suggesting that Singapore polytechnics should be converted into universities. What impressed him about PolyU, as it is called, is how it has set itself apart from more established institutions.

The university, which converted from a polytechnic in 1994, aims to offer top-notch professional degrees.

About 90 per cent of its courses are recognised by professional boards, and students have to spend 300 hours doing work attachments. As a result, its graduates are sought-after by employers.

Mr Wong said that the panel chose to visit Hong Kong as it has a university sector of a similar size, and like Singapore is also looking at expanding it further.

'So it is useful to compare notes,' he said.

He added that the Hong Kong government had been 'judicious and prudent' in expanding its university sector, despite facing pressure from students and parents to expand.

'They have been careful for the similar reasons that we share,' he said, adding that he and the panel members were mindful that the expansion should not lead to an oversupply of graduates and subsequent unemployment or underemployment of degree holders.

One of the panel members, Ms Aliza Knox, managing director for commerce at Google Asia Pacific, said she was impressed with how PolyU had changed the way it is perceived by employers.

Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, president of SIM University, who also serves on the panel, said he was all for innovating and doing something different to meet the aspirations of a new generation of students.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic principal Chia Mia Chiang said whatever new pathways are created must stand up to scrutiny, and that there must be demand for them.

The education panel was set up after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in August that additional degree opportunities will be provided for Singaporeans to meet an expected demand for more graduates.

The panel has looked at university models in Europe, including in France and Finland. It will submit its final report by the end of this year.

sandra@sph.com.sg

Panel looking at aid for private students to pursue degrees

2012-01-13T17:42:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 13 Jan 2012--

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (above), which converted from a polytechnic in 1994, sets itself apart from more established institutions by offering professional degrees. -- PHOTOS: HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

The panel looking into providing more degree opportunities for Singaporeans will study whether the Government should provide loans and subsidies to those taking the private school route.

Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong, who heads the 15-member committee, said that if the idea takes off, schools will be subject to rigorous academic quality checks.

Speaking on Wednesday at the end of a two-day trip to study the Hong Kong university system, Mr Wong said he and his panel members had looked at how the government there has taken advantage of the private education sector to offer more degree pathways to its citizens.

He noted that the Hong Kong government currently offers places for only 18 per cent of a given age group through its eight publicly funded institutions, and is in the process of ramping it up to 24 per cent in another three years.

This is still below the 30 per cent university cohort participation rate that Singapore will reach in that same year.

But to meet young Hong Kongers' rising aspirations for a degree, it has in place a loans and grants scheme for students who enrol in the private institutions, some of which are set up by the publicly funded universities.

Two leading private institutions are HKU Space, set up by the highly ranked Hong Kong University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University's College of Professional and Continuing Education. Students can apply for the subsidies and government-backed loans, including interest-free ones. Needy students can take a means test to qualify for a higher level of subsidy. But the institutions they are enrolled in must have academic accreditation from the Hong Kong government.

Mr Wong, who made the visit with three committee members and several Education Ministry officials, noted that it was an interesting idea to look at for Singapore, as a significant number of polytechnic graduates and A-level holders are taking the private school route.

The Straits Times has reported that about 100,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents were enrolled in private schools here, of which 40,000 were pursuing degrees. The rest were taking up diplomas which would allow them to progress to degree programmes.

At the moment, students in the publicly-funded universities can take out interest-free loans to pay for their tuition fees. They start paying interest once they graduate. Private school students only have access to bank loans that charge on average 5 per cent interest.

Mr Wong stressed that if the panel decided to go ahead with the proposal, then, as in Hong Kong, private schools must subject themselves to a strict accreditation process which would go beyond the checks currently carried out by the Council for Private Education (CPE).

These existing checks concentrate on the business processes. As far as academic quality goes, the CPE only checks to ensure foreign university degrees are accredited in the home country and lecturers have the minimum qualifications.

Mr Wong also noted that only 18 private institutions out of several hundred in Hong Kong had passed the check to qualify for the loans and grant scheme.

He said the panel will study the private education sector to see if its programmes are relevant to Singapore's economic growth. At present, private school courses are market-driven, but if the Government wants to make use of the sector, it should look at whether there is a need for a more structured approach, he said.

Private school officials and students were encouraged by the news of the panel looking at the private education sector.

Mr Lee Kwok Cheong, who heads the global education arm of the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), welcomed an accreditation process that will focus on academic quality. 'That's what matters for students,' he said.

Mr R. Theyvendran, who heads the Management Development Institute of Singapore, pointed to the sterling results of its Singapore students to make the case for support from the Government. 'Singapore students are very motivated and hard-working and many go on to do well. They deserve the support,' he said.

SIM business student Bernice Teo, 20, said: 'If I can get an interest-free loan or, better still, a subsidy from the Government, I can work less and spend more time on my studies.'

sandra@sph.com.sg

A MORE HANDS-ON APPROACH

Higher starting salaries for poly grads in ’11: survey

2012-01-09T17:11:00.000+08:00

--The Business Times, 9 Jan 2012--

By EVE YEO

POLYTECHNIC graduates in 2011 received higher starting salaries than those in 2010, a recent survey showed.

The median gross monthly salary of fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment was $1,850, compared to $1,800 in 2010. Fresh graduates in 2011 earned 2.8 per cent more than graduates in 2010.

Post-National Service (NS) graduates received $2,100, a 5 per cent increase from $2,000 in 2010.

Jointly conducted by all five local polytechnics, the annual Graduate Employment Survey polled 13,386 graduates between October and November last year. Out of these, 9,410 were fresh graduates and the rest were post-NS graduates.

The highest median gross monthly salary for fresh graduates, according to course category, was $1,900. These include the health sciences, built environment, engineering and maritime courses.

Post-NS graduates had the highest median gross salary from the business, management and design courses. The median gross monthly salary was $2,150.

'The improved figures reflect well on the economic outlook of last year,' said Tan Hang Cheong, principal of Singapore Polytechnic.

According to the survey, the overall employment rate among economically-active fresh graduates was 92.1 per cent. Economically-active graduates are those who are working or actively seeking a job.

This is an increase from the employment rate of 91.5 per cent in 2010. The employment rate of post-NS graduates fell from 95.4 per cent to 94.7 per cent.

About two-thirds of fresh graduates found full-time permanent employment.

Eight out of 10 post-NS graduates were also permanently employed full-time.

The percentage of fresh graduates joining the public sector in 2011 rose slightly. Some 13.6 per cent took up jobs in the public sector in 2010 but 13.9 per cent did so last year. The majority of the graduates joined the private sector.

More than 80 per cent of graduates in 2011 took up jobs in the private sector.

The percentage of fresh graduates joining the private sector fell 0.3 per cent but post-NS graduates saw a rise of almost 7 per cent in the same category.

Poly open houses aim to impress

2012-01-09T17:08:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 9 Jan 2012--

Polytechnics are out to woo students by lining up interesting programmes for their open houses, as well as beefing up their offerings. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

TOGETHER with some 70 other teenagers, Radin Sri Idayu Radin Hadzman and Lee Yi sat in a classroom last Friday, poring over a long list of questions and scribbling their answers.

They were not candidates taking an examination. Rather, they were taking part in the 'Find Your Dream Course' workshop, a highlight at Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Open House which took place over the past few days.

Participants were asked to fill in surveys designed to help them learn more about their personality traits and inclinations, and the courses which may be suitable for them.

Polytechnics pulled out all the stops during their open houses in the past week to woo students.

At Temasek Polytechnic, students got to play 'CSI' by trying their hands at extracting DNA for solving crimes. At Nanyang Polytechnic, they had the chance to 'take flight' in a multi-rotor aircraft and flight simulator used by the School of Engineering.

At the open houses, students also received advice on which courses they should pick.

'We know how mind-boggling it can be for a 16-year-old to choose from a wide array of diploma courses,' said a spokesman for Ngee Ann Polytechnic, which offers 232 courses and 48 diplomas.

Radin Hadzman, 16, a Changkat Changi Secondary School student who will be getting her O-level results today, found out from the Dream Course workshop that she is 'people-oriented' and is keen on 'business' - and that psychology may just be her cup of tea.

Besides lining up interesting programmes for their open houses, polytechnics are also beefing up their offerings.

For instance, Singapore Polytechnic unveiled a new Business Innovation and Design diploma, and Temasek Polytechnic recently introduced a flying programme partnership for their Aviation Management and Services diploma.

Students getting their O-level results today can apply to junior colleges, the Millennia Institute, polytechnics, and the Institute of Technical Education via the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).

Those wishing to apply only to polytechnics can do so via the Joint-Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE), which allows the schools to consider applicants who show a strong passion or aptitude in a particular field.

Both admission exercises start today and end on Friday.

LESLIE LIM

Rosy job prospects for poly graduates

2012-01-09T17:04:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 9 Jan 2012--
Average pay for full-time positions close to $2,000 for first time

By Lin Zhaowei

Fresh polytechnic graduates continued to enjoy good employment prospects last year, with the average salary for those in full-time positions almost hitting the $2,000 mark for the first time. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

Fresh polytechnic graduates continued to enjoy good employment prospects last year, with the average salary for those in full-time positions almost hitting the $2,000 mark for the first time.

The employment rate of these graduates climbed to 92.1 per cent, from 91.5 per cent in 2010, according to the newly released annual poly graduate employment survey.

On average, they earn a gross monthly salary of $1,930, compared with $1,871 in 2010. Some 67 per cent landed full-time jobs, compared with 68.5 per cent in 2010. Among this group, more than 80 per cent were in the private sector.

Conducted between October and November last year, the survey drew responses from almost 14,000 graduates from the five polytechnics here. The respondents included both fresh graduates from last year who were not required to serve national service after graduation, and those who graduated in 2008 but entered the job market after completing national service.

They were asked to respond based on their employment status as on Oct 1 last year.

The survey found that those with diplomas in the health sciences - including dental hygiene and therapy, nursing, and occupational therapy - were the best-paid, with an average gross monthly salary of $1,986.

Those with diplomas in the applied sciences - such as the food, environmental and pharmaceutical sciences - were paid the lowest on average, at $1,802 a month.

Ms Kiyoko Ong, 23, for example, is earning more than $2,000 a month working as a physiotherapist at Raffles Hospital. She clinched the job just two weeks into her job hunt after graduating from Nanyang Polytechnic last year.

Another fresh graduate, Ms Salmah Alsagoff, who studied business and financial services at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, is also drawing good pay. The 22-year-old said she benefited from attending external courses made available at her school.

She attended a basic course on financial planning, which came in handy when she applied for an internship at ANZ bank in 2010. Last year, she secured a full-time executive position at the bank, with a monthly pay of more than $3,000.

To further her job prospects, she is now doing a part-time degree at a private school, majoring in banking and finance.

The latest poly graduate survey also showed that among those who found jobs, a slightly larger proportion took up part-time positions compared with a year ago.

Some 25 per cent of fresh graduates held part-time jobs last year, up from 23 per cent the year before. For post-national service graduates only, it was 14.6 per cent, slightly up from 14.1 per cent in 2010.

A possible explanation, said Singapore Polytechnic principal Tan Hang Cheong, could be that more poly graduates were preparing to further their studies.

The Government is currently looking into expanding the number of university places for poly students, who may be keen to upgrade their qualifications for better career prospects.

According to last year's Ministry of Manpower annual report on wages, university graduates here earned an average of around $3,000 monthly in 2010.

But the outlook may not be as rosy for this year's poly graduates, given the economic uncertainty, Mr Tan noted. They may take a little longer to find suitable employment and their average pay could take a dip, he said.

During the last global economic downturn, the average monthly salary for fresh poly graduates dropped 4 percentage points in 2009 from a year before. Their employment rate also fell by more than four percentage points the same year, from 2007.

Mr Josh Goh, the assistant director of corporate services at recruitment firm The GMP Group, said employers are generally more cautious now when it comes to hiring.

He advises job-seekers to be realistic with their expectations. He said: 'There may be more of contract jobs instead of full-time positions. But if the economy improves, employers may convert the positions into full-time ones.'

zhaowei@sph.com.sg

RELATED LINKS: POLY GRAD AVERAGE WAGE

Polytechnics set for record intake this year

2012-01-09T16:59:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 9 Jan 2012--

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

A record 27,100 polytechnic places will be made available this year to cater to growing demand from school-leavers, including those getting their O-level results on Monday. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

A record 27,100 polytechnic places will be made available this year to cater to growing demand from school-leavers, including those getting their O-level results on Monday.

Nanyang, Singapore, Ngee Ann and Temasek will take in 5,500 students each, while Republic will accommodate up to 5,100. This represents an increase of about 1,000 places over the last few years, and will bring the polytechnic intake to a record high.

'The increase is in line with the increasing demand for polytechnic education,' said the Education Ministry. It hopes to have enough places for up to 45 per cent of a given age group by 2015.

But although there are more seats up for grabs, officials say students opting for popular courses like media studies and tourism still face stiff competition.

The rise in poly places comes as more school-leavers choose a three-year diploma course over a two-year A-level one.

Part of the attraction are the new courses on offer each year, which are highly valued by employers. Six have been added this year, including sports coaching, consumer behaviour research and business innovation and design.

Recognising that the poly route is gaining popularity, the Government has also moved to make more university places available to those with diplomas, adding to the appeal of polytechnics. About 15 per cent of each poly cohort now makes it to the local universities, but by 2015, this will be raised to 20 per cent.

The polys are also gaining traction among top-drawer students: About a third of school-leavers who entered the five polytechnics over the past few years had good enough grades to get into junior college - including many single-pointers, figures from the ministry show.

As a result, competition is heating up. Students normally need an entry score of 26 or less to get into polytechnics. But some courses such as banking and finance are so popular that the cut-off is 10 points and below.

Those who miss the cut-off for a particular course need not despair: If they have a strong passion or aptitude for the field, they can still get in through the special admissions scheme.

The Education Ministry said up to 5 per cent of poly places - more than 1,000 - are available through the scheme. Last year, one in five who applied through special admissions got in.

They included Hari Kishan, 18, who is studying media at Singapore Polytechnic. He had left Riverside Secondary with an aggregate score of 15, just three points shy of the cut-off for the course. But he impressed his lecturers with the amateur videos he made while at secondary school.

Even if they do not get into the course of their choice, students should take up one of the many courses they are admitted too, principals advise.

Said Singapore Poly's Mr Tan Hang Cheong: 'A polytechnic education at the end of the day is good preparation for work and university.' He said many of his students end up switching to a different track when they get to university.

Polys advise students to attend open houses and course counselling sessions to discuss their options with the lecturers.

One person who did just that was Susan Lee, who is getting her O-level results on Monday. The 17-year-old could not decide whether to take the junior college or polytechnic route, or which diploma course to pick.

'I had sleepless nights,' she said. 'But after going for all the open houses and talking to the poly lecturers, I realise I am more suited for the polytechnic route and I have decided on the early childhood education course.'

sandra@sph.com.sg

NAFA Open House 2012

2012-01-09T01:07:00.001+08:00

Dates: 13 January - 14 January 2012
Time: 11am - 4pm
Venue: NAFA Campuses 1, 2 & 3
Enquiries: admissions@nafa.edu.sg | 6512 4071
Admission: Free

A two-day event where students, parents and the public who are interested in the arts education, get to view the works of NAFA students, interact with NAFA lecturers and tour the campus facilities. Events highlights include exhibitions, open classes, art-making demonstrations and career talks. It is the best time to find out more about NAFA's various diploma and degree programmes.

NAFA Campus 1
80 Bencoolen Street Singapore 189655
Tel: 6512 4000
Fax: 6337 3920

NAFA Campus 2
38 Bencoolen Street Singapore 189654
Tel: 6512 4000
Fax: 6337 3920

NAFA Campus 3
151 Bencoolen Street
Singapore 189656
Tel: 6512 4000
Fax: 6337 3920

Click to view Location Maps

LASALLE Open House 2012

2012-01-09T01:03:00.002+08:00

Date and Time: Fri 13 Jan & Sat 14 Jan, 11am - 5pm

Venue: Various venues at LASALLE

Admission: Free

Source: http://www.lasalle.edu.sg/events-2012-01-13.html

You're young, you're creative, and you're the greatest creative genius the world has ever known... Well, two out of three isn't so bad. But if you really want to know how to achieve greatness, and earn a living doing what you enjoy most in life, you just might find your tipping point when you visit the LASALLE Open House 2012, happening on 13 & 14 January, from 11am to 5pm, at the coolest campus in town.

Immerse yourself in the spirit of creative collision that is embedded in each of LASALLE's artistic programmes, from Design to Fine Arts, Fashion to Animation, Broadcast Media to Theatre, and a full suite of learning opportunities ranging from Dance, Music, and Film to Arts Management.

Meet Rock Stars, catch a free movie screening, and listen in as members of LASALLE's alumni share their experiences, both on campus and in the working world. Don't miss Retrospective, the first ever LASALLE Alumni Fashion Show that features five generations of fashion graduates showcasing their creative work. You can also participate in numerous interactive art and design activities that are specially curated for you.

Programme Leaders and lecturers from all faculties will be present to respond to any queries that you or your parents may have regarding LASALLE. As an added bonus, your application fee will be waived if you apply on-the-spot during the Open House! Limited places are available.

Download Programme Schedule (PDF,3.403mb)

NUS Open House and Admission Talks 2012

2012-01-09T00:58:00.002+08:00

National University of Singapore (NUS) Open House
Be the Change

Date: 17-18 March 2012 (Sat/Sun), 9am – 5pm

Venue: Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC)
- Campus Map
- Directions: http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_30828/travel_site_140307/4/
By Shuttle
- Free shuttle service at Dover MRT Station to the NUS Open House at Kent Ridge Campus.

By Public Transport
- Take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train to Clementi station. Walk to the bus interchange just next to the MRT station. Take Bus Service No. 96 to the campus. Alight at the bus-stop opposite the Yusof Ishak House (YIH) or Raffles Hall, which is one more stop after YIH.
- You may also take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to the Buona Vista station and board Bus Service No. 95 from the bus stop on the opposite side of North Buona Vista Road. Alight opposite YIH or change to an internal shuttle.
- Alternatively, you may take Bus Service No. 151 to the NUS campus and change to an internal shuttle.

Learn about admission to NUS: http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply/apply.html

SIT Open House 2012 on 14 and 15 Jan

2012-01-09T00:49:00.005+08:00

Date : 14 & 15 Jan 2012
Date : 10am - 5pm
Venue : Suntec City Convention Centre (Level 3)
Source: http://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/events/open-house-2

NUS Law Open House 2012 on 17 and 18 March 2012

2012-01-09T00:46:00.001+08:00

NUS Law SchoolStellar education, vibrant student life and beautiful environment - come see what else NUS law can offer you at our Open House on 17 and 18 March 2012.

Core Programme: http://openhouse.nuslawclub.com/core-programme/
Talk by the Dean (2:30pm, Auditorium, level 3)
This informative talk is given by the new Dean Simon Chesterman. A Q&A session will be open after the Dean’s talk for visitors to clarify any doubts or just find out more about NUS Law in general.

Professor-Student Seminar (3:30pm, Auditorium, level 3)
Ask questions and have a discussion with a panel composed of both current students and professors. Students and professors are deliberately hand-picked to provide visitors with honest and personal views on what studying in NUS Law is like. With a diverse panel for visitors to direct their questions to, visitors will get an in-depth look into the student life and the academic experience NUS Law has to offer.
Information of the panel (coming soon).

Mock Trial (4:30pm, Moot Court)
Organised by NUS Law’s very own Mooting and Debating Club, visitors can have first-hand experience of what it is like in a courtroom as well as witness the ongoings of a mock trial. This year’s topic (coming soon) is interesting and light-hearted, and will definitely serve to entertain visitors and students alike.

Tours (2pm-5:30pm, Eu Tong Sen building)
Beginning at the Reception Booth at Eu Tong Sen building, explore the nooks and crannies of NUS Law’s exclusive Bukit Timah Campus led by friendly and enthusiastic student tour guides. Tour routes will include study areas like classrooms, the Lecture Theatre, the Study Room and the CJ Koh Law Library, as well as areas for relaxation like the Undergraduate Lounge, the Upper Quadrangle and the Summit. Walk the halls of this beautiful campus that Law Students will come to know and love.

Sub-Club Booths (2pm-6pm, Block B level 2 corridor)
Find out about the various student-run sub-clubs which cater to various interests. These sub-clubs are student-initiated, and started off as interest groups. Law Students have the opportunity of joining a variety of sub-clubs which include developing international relations, fighting for criminal justice, contributing to pro bono endeavours, writing about legal issues, writing about school issues, honing mooting and debating skills and simply enjoying the beautiful game of soccer.

Travel Directions: http://openhouse.nuslawclub.com/travel-directions/
BUS

NUS, Bukit Timah Road, stop number 41011
Buses available: 48, 66, 67, 151, 153, 154, 156, 170, 171, 186

After Kheam Hock Road, Dunearn Road, stop number 41019
Buses available: 67, 151, 153, 154, 156, 170, 171, 186

MRT

Botanic Gardens, CC19

NUS Nursing Open House 2012

2012-01-09T00:41:00.003+08:00

When: Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 2:00pm until Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 7:30am..

Where: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Clinical Research Centre, Block MD11, 10 Medical Drive, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

Description: This special event provides an excellent opportunities for staff and prospective students and their families to learn more about our BSc (Nursing) and BSc (Nursing)(Honours) programmes, admission requirements, the nursing profession and scholarship opportunities. The Alic...e Lee Centre for Nursing Studies staff and students will be on hand to answer any queries that you may have about pursuing a nursing degree in NUS.

The event will also have nursing scholarship booths by our healthcare industry partners, and a tour of our nursing training facilities and NUH wards!

There will be 2 identical programmes from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, and from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Follow the link below to Register yourself for either time-slots! We'll keep in touch with you in 2012!
http://www.facebook.com/nusalcns?sk=app_127087913984159

Follow this link for public transport and driving directions:
www.goo.gl/uthxP

*This Department Open House is organized by the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS) and is not to be confused with the NUS Open House 2012, held later in the year.

Please contact Ms Foo Si Min at nurfsm@nus.edu.sg or 6516 7455 for more details.

We hope to see you there!

BCA Academy Open House 2012

2012-01-09T00:38:00.001+08:00

Take the first step to a rewarding career in the built environment. Visit the BCA Academy Open House and learn more about our diploma programmes for school leavers with "O" level or ITE qualifications.

13 - 14 January 2012 • 9am - 5pm • BCA Academy 200 Braddell Road
www.bcaa.edu.sg

The BCA Academy is the education and research arm of the Building and Construction Authority. Take the first step to a rewarding career in the built environment. Visit the BCA Academy Open House and learn more about our diploma programmes for school leavers with “O” level or ITE qualifications.

Diploma Programmes
• Construction Information Technology
• Construction Engineering
• Design (Interior & Landscape)
• Mechanical Engineering (Green Building Technology)
• Strategic Facilities Management
• Electrical Engineering and Clean Energy
• Geo-Spatial Information and Technology (Part-time)

BCA-Industry Built Environment Diploma Scholarship/Sponsorship available.
Students with good “O” Level / ITE Higher NITEC results are welcome to apply.

SIT to offer 300 more places, 5 new degrees

2012-01-08T12:15:00.000+08:00

--The Sunday Times, 8 Jan 2012--
School for polytechnic grads raises total intake to 1,300; new overseas partners for degrees highly ranked

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

SIT differs from the other three universities by offering niche degrees through tie-ups with overseas institutions. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), which offers degree programmes for polytechnic graduates, will have 300 more places this year, raising its total intake to 1,300.

Students can also look forward to five new degree programmes, bringing the total number of bachelor's degree programmes offered by SIT to 21.

The new degrees include early childhood education from Wheelock College in Boston, two design courses on interior design and communication design from the Glasgow School of Art, and two aeronautical degree programmes from the University of Glasgow.

Similar to SIT's seven current partners, the new partners are highly ranked. The University of Glasgow belongs to the prestigious Russell Group of leading British research universities and counts among its staff six Nobel laureates.

The Glasgow School of Art is recognised as one of Europe's leading institutions for creative education and research in fine art, design and architecture, while Wheelock College is sought after by those aiming to become preschool educators.

SIT said it is also looking into offering a new degree course in physiotherapy, but details on the programme, including the partner institution, are still being finalised.

SIT president Tan Chin Tiong said that as the school ramps up the number of places, it is committed to expanding its offerings in partnership with reputable overseas universities that are leaders in their fields of specialisation.

'We have been selective in our choice of partner institutions to ensure that they are among the best. This will give SIT graduates an edge in the job market,' he said.

SIT, which started running programmes for its first intake in 2010, was set up to offer polytechnic graduates an additional route to a university degree.

The institute, which runs the courses on its decentralised campuses in the polytechnics, differs from the other three publicly funded universities by offering niche degrees through tie-ups with overseas institutions such as the Culinary Institute of America and the DigiPen Institute of Technology.

The latter is dubbed the Harvard for video game designers and animators.

Another draw is that SIT undergraduates are given advanced standing, which allows them to complete their degrees in two years.

The Government pays 75 per cent of the tuition fee, so students would need to pay only between $20,000 and $27,000 over two years, depending on the course.

Professor Tan said the record number of applications last year signals that the institute is on the right path with its model of university education.

A record 4,000 polytechnic diploma-holders vied for the 1,000 places last year in 17 courses ranging from naval architecture to culinary arts management.

Many chose SIT's seven partner institutions, including the University of Manchester, DigiPen Institute of Technology and the Technical University of Munich, over the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.

Prof Tan said that despite the higher grade point average of the freshmen, SIT and its partner institutions would continue to look for more in students than just academic grades. That is why all shortlisted candidates are interviewed.

'Besides grades, aptitude and interest count as well, especially for some of the niche degrees, including the new ones such as design or early childhood education,' he said.

He added that the institute recently launched workshops to build soft skills in its students, in areas such as personal branding and networking as well as social etiquette and grooming.

Polytechnic upgraders eyeing the SIT route to a degree welcomed the addition of new degrees.

Temasek Polytechnic student Serene Lim, 19, who works as a freelance designer, said she had decided to put her dream of pursuing a design degree on hold because of the high costs of going overseas.

'I am excited that the Glasgow School of Art is coming here. It is one of the best. And if it is offered through SIT, the fees will be affordable.'

SIT is expected to eventually take in about 2,000 students a year.

sandra@sph.com.sg

Background story
PROGRAMMES OFFERED

New SIT degrees from this year

•Glasgow School of Art: Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communication Design, Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Interior Design

•Wheelock College: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Educational Studies and Leadership

•University of Glasgow: Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Aeronautical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Aerospace Systems

Current courses

•Technical University of Munich: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

•DigiPen Institute of Technology: Bachelor of Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation, Bachelor of Science in Game Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation, Bachelor of Arts in Game Design

•Culinary Institute of America: Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts Management

•University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration

•University of Glasgow: Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics

•University of Manchester: Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nursing Practice

•Newcastle University: Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Marine Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Naval Architecture, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Offshore Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Food and Human Nutrition

ITE to offer stage production course to help meet industry demand

2012-01-07T12:27:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 07 Jan 2012--

By Kezia Toh

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will soon be offering classes in stage production for the first time, as well as three other new Higher National ITE Certificate (Nitec) courses for O-level holders and Nitec graduates - in advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering and passenger services. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will soon be offering classes in stage production for the first time.

From April, it will train students who wish to work backstage in the use of sets, props, lighting and sound.

With Singapore ramping up its arts and tourism scene, the two-year Performance Production Higher Nitec course is geared towards meeting the demand for skilled manpower in the industry.

Producer Daniel Boey, who has been creative head of shows such as the Singapore Fashion Festival and Men's Fashion Week, was among those who welcomed the move, saying it would address the shortage of professional backstage crew here.

'It is difficult to get good and committed stagehands because for many of them, it is just a side job for some extra pocket money,' he said.

Forty students will train at ITE College Central in Tampines, before moving on to the new ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio next year.

They will learn skills such as coordinating costumes and makeup, and running theatre productions backstage. For this, they will make use of College Central's 1,500-seat auditorium and outdoor performance venues on campus.

Students will also work as interns with industry bigwigs such as the Esplanade, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands.

Developing a stable of professional stagehands will help to draw foreign productions to the Republic and boost the industry, said Mr Boey.

He added: 'We need to have strong people for foreign productions to rely on. If not, they will incur higher costs by flying their own crew in, and may not want to come here.'

One of those who may consider signing up is Lim Ting Hui, who is waiting for his O-level results, due on Monday.

The 17-year-old became interested in theatre after volunteering as a backstage assistant in a school production last August.

'I would prefer a hands-on class that is more practical, not a usual one with textbooks and notes,' he said.

The new course forms part of efforts by the ITE to broaden its reach.

Also from April, three other new Higher National ITE Certificate (Nitec) courses will be offered to O-level holders and Nitec graduates - in advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering and passenger services.

The passenger services course comes with the projected growth in passenger traffic passing through air and sea terminals here.

Students will learn skills ranging from performing check-in services to assisting in crisis management and crowd control.

The two-year course will take 144 students at ITE College Central in Bishan and ITE College West.

Students will also have an 18-week industry attachment, where they will have direct contact with passengers at air and sea terminals such as Changi Airport and the Singapore Cruise Centre.

Applications will open at 3pm on Monday and close at 4pm on Friday.

keziatoh@sph.com.sg

More ITE courses for GCE O-Level students

2012-01-06T18:04:00.000+08:00

--CNA, 06 January 2012--

SINGAPORE: GCE O-Level school leavers, who will receive their results on Monday, will now have more Institute of Technical Education (ITE) courses to choose from, especially with the introduction of new Higher Nitec courses in April 2012.

These are Higher Nitec in Advanced Manufacturing, Higher Nitec in Passenger Services and Higher Nitec in Performance Production.

A Higher Nitec in Aerospace Engineering course has also been introduced for progression students from the related Nitec courses.

Students can also take up the new Nitec in Social Media & Web Development course launched this month.

ITE said secondary school leavers can now choose from 57 Nitec courses, 39 Higher Nitec courses, and 24 Traineeship courses.

Application for Higher Nitec courses will be opened from 9 January, 3pm to 13 January, 4pm.

Secondary school leavers who have taken the GCE O-Level examinations in 2011 can submit applications for full-time Higher Nitec courses at the MOE-JAE website.

For full-time Nitec courses, applicants can submit applications via the ITE website.

For Traineeship courses, applicants should apply personally at ITE Headquarters at 10, Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, during office hours from 10 to 13 January.

ITE offers Higher Nitec courses for O-level graduates

2012-01-06T12:26:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 06 Jan 2012--

By Kezia Toh

From April, Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is extending its curriculum with new Higher National ITE Certificate (Nitec) courses to meet demands for skilled manpower in specialised areas.

Applications will open from Monday, Jan 9 at 3pm, and close on Friday, Jan 13 at 4pm.

O-level and Nitec graduates can take classes in the new Performance Production Higher Nitec course in stage production to learn about sets, props, lighting and sound. This is to cater to the demands of the the arts and entertainment scene.

Three other new Higher Nitec courses - in advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering and passenger services - will also be offered.

The passenger services course is to meet the projected increase in visitor arrivals here, and the corresponding growth in passenger traffic passing through air and sea terminals.

Local Polytechnics' Open House 2012 on 5 to 7 Jan

2012-01-01T00:32:00.000+08:00

"Poly Takes You Places"

Singapore's five polytechnics will host their Open House 2012 this week on 5-7 January. This is one of the excellent time to find out how these education institutions can provide for those pursuing diplomas in this coming year.

"From the close industry collaboration, polytechnic graduates are more than ready and eager to meet real-world demands and provide the best service experience to guests and visitors to Singapore" ~Kurt O. Wehinger, General Manager, Marina Mandarin Singapore

Do note that some of the polytechnics have a slightly different starting timing from one another. Check it out from below and their websites:

Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) http://www.nyp.edu.sg/OH2012/

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) http://www.np.edu.sg/openhouse/documents/index.html

Republic Polytechnic (RP) http://www.rp.sg/openhouse/
- 10am-6pm
- Directions
- Google Places
- Free Shuttle Bus Service
(a) From Woodlands Interchange, 10am-6pm @ Berth 1 (every 10-15 min interval)
(b) To Woodlands MRT, 10am-7pm (every 10-15 min interval)
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Singapore Polytechnic (SP) http://aspirations.sg/

Temasek Polytechnic (TP) http://tp.edu.sg/events/openhouse/

More Singapore students get a taste of China

2011-12-30T12:38:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 30 Dec 2011--

By Ho Ai Li, China Correspondent

BEIJING - They don white and blue tracksuits and go for daily laps around the campus just like any other student at the Second High School of the Beijing Normal University.

But it is not difficult to tell who the visitors from Singapore are.

Just look out for those who cannot jog in a line or four abreast.

'The Chinese students are very orderly... they look at us and they know we are Singapore students,' said Glenn Hay, 16, from Hwa Chong Institution.

He is one of a growing number of Singapore students who go on school trips to China, as the two countries' education ties grow closer.

The number of Singapore schools twinning with Chinese ones has grown from 130 to 250 over the past five years.

Last year, more than 3,000 Singapore students took courses in China, almost double the 1,600 in 2007.

While participants usually spend only a week or two in China on such study visits, some institutions such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Hwa Chong Institution have set up overseas campuses in the country to allow for longer stays.

NUS, for instance, has overseas colleges in Shanghai and Beijing. Its undergraduates typically intern at companies in China while attending lectures at local universities like Tsinghua for a year.

Hwa Chong has been running an immersion programme, usually lasting six weeks, out of classrooms leased from the Second High School since 2007.

Participants take classes in subjects like Chinese literature, conducted by local teachers, as well as enrichment lessons given by accompanying teachers from Singapore.

They also go on field trips to places like the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city or help out at schools for the children of migrant workers.

In recent years, Hwa Chong has expanded its presence. It set up 'campuses' in Suzhou last year and one in the ancient city of Xi'an this year.

'We hope students will become mature and independent and learn to take care of themselves. We also want them to know that Chinese is not a dead subject but something for the long term,' said Mr Ang Lai Chiang, the Hwa Chong teacher in charge of the programme.

The immersion scheme is also open to other schools. For the past month, upper secondary students from CHIJ St Nicholas Girls', Nan Hua and Anglican High have studied alongside their Hwa Chong peers at the Second High School.

When The Straits Times dropped in on a class recently, the students were learning about the Ming Dynasty and Admiral Zheng He, famous for voyages to places like Malacca. 'He was a Muslim?' a boy asked a girl in English. Yes, he was.

The Singaporeans may be from Special Assistance Plan schools or from former Chinese-medium schools where Mandarin was the lingua franca, but they tend to speak to each other in English these days. 'We try to (speak Mandarin) but we're just so used to English,' said 16-year-old Tan Guan You, of Hwa Chong.

What the teachers try to do is get them to present or reply to questions in Mandarin, as well as read Chinese books and magazines, said Mr Ang.

The students also keep a journal in Chinese, penning down thoughts on what they see in China.

Some noticed how much more disciplined their Chinese peers are.

'We see them reading during breakfast. They would finish their lunch very early so that they can study,' said St Nicholas' student Lim Yen Mae, 15.

'Because competition is very fierce,' said schoolmate Wang Jing Mei, also 15.

The Singaporeans also got a taste of Beijing's crowded buses and subways. 'We learn to appreciate what we have in Singapore,' said Glenn.

Some say they have learnt to value the Chinese language more. Hwa Chong's Gan Wei Liang, 16, used to think of it as a subject he could forget about after the O levels. 'After coming here, it makes me more appreciative of the fact that I'm Chinese and I know Chinese,' he said.

Already, a few from the pioneer batch, like Hwa Chong old boy Tan Lian Seng, 20, have opted to study in a Chinese university. He is now reading international relations at Peking University.

His immersion experiences made him realise that China is not as good or bad as it has been made out to be. Many Chinese spit and talk loudly, but most are kind, he noted. This made him confident that he could adjust to life here.

Ultimately, the aim is to prepare participants to work here, said Mr Ang. 'If they're posted to China in future, they know they will be okay.'

Just 350 private schools meet mark 6 months after new rules

2011-12-30T12:28:00.001+08:00

--The Straits Times, 30 Dec 2011--
And most have only provisional licence

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

Mr Andrew Chua, who heads the Association of Private Schools and Colleges and who started the East Asia Institute of Management, predicts that the number of private schools will fall further to just over 100 in the next year or so. -- TNP FILE PHOTO

Just over 350 private schools are left standing, six months after tougher rules to clean up the industry kicked in.

This is a big drop from three years ago when their number stood at 1,000.

Industry watchers expect a further shakedown, considering that 200 of the 353 schools registered with the Council for Private Education (CPE) have only a one-year provisional licence - which means they fell short of some of the requirements and are being given time to turn things around.

They say many of them are unlikely to pass muster in the next quality check when it comes to, for example, the standard of their premises or teachers.

Mr Andrew Chua, who heads the Association of Private Schools and Colleges, predicts that the number of private schools will fall further to just over 100 in the next year or so.

But he added: 'It's not a bad thing because the industry will emerge stronger after the shake-up.'

Even though there are now fewer schools in business, enrolment has gone up. There were 146,000 students registered with private institutions in the middle of this year, up from 120,000 before December 2009. This could be because more established schools have expanded in recent years.

The overhaul of rules governing the sector started two years ago after a series of scandals involving private schools.

Some, like AIT Unicampus, closed without warning, leaving their students halfway through their courses and scrambling to get back their tuition fees.

A few were caught offering dud degrees.

The worst was Brookes Business School, shuttered after it was caught peddling fake degrees from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Under the new rules, schools which want to stay in business have to register with the CPE, the statutory board set up to enforce the regulations.

They were given 18 months - up until June this year - to do so or be shut down. To be registered, they had to meet higher standards, for example, by having independent examination boards, transparent finances and adequately qualified teachers.

Schools seeking to enrol foreigners must earn the EduTrust mark, which sets out even higher standards, such as making sure that overseas institutions they are linked to are up to par and their teachers are qualified to teach degree courses.

The good news is a growing number of them are doing so. At the moment, 86 have either the one-year or four-year award, up from 66 in the middle of this year.

Those that have won the four-year EduTrust mark recently include LaSalle College of the Arts and St Francis Methodist School which prepares students for the O-level and A-level curricula, as well as Australian Matriculation exams for entry into universities Down Under.

Local and foreign students in private schools welcome the stricter rules. However, a few said the CPE should list the 200 schools with the provisional licence separately and make it clear they failed to meet all of the standards.

China national Adrian Li, 24, nearly enrolled with Tyndale Institute earlier this year, not knowing that the school's licence was about to expire and it may have to shut.

He said: 'CPE should make it clear that these schools have only a temporary licence so that students will not go to a school that is likely to close down.'

School operators, however, have pointed out that students can use the CPE website to check up on their courses, and find out whether their fees have been insured.

'Quantity is not as important as quality for the education industry,' said Mr Chua, who started the East Asia Institute of Management, a school with the four-year EduTrust mark. 'If you have quality, students will come.'

sandra@sph.com.sg

Some students fail to thrive on Integrated Programme scheme

2011-12-22T20:01:00.001+08:00

--The Straits Times, 22 Dec 2011--
Some transfer to polys or other JCs, others do poorly in A levels

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

Eleven of the 54 Rulang Primary pupils who made it to the IP celebrating yesterday, PSLE certificates in hand. They are (from left, back row) Jiang Zixing, Shaun Tan, Cheng Ging Wei, Han Mingzhou, Oh Sheng Han, (front row) Gillian Yeong, Rachel Liu, Yasmin Ziqin Mohamed Yousoof, Felicia Tai, Sneha Sanil and Deng Boya. -- ST PHOTO: NURIA LING

As about 3,000 students on Wednesday celebrated winning a coveted place on the Integrated Programme (IP), others already on the scheme are about to make a quiet exit to the polytechnics and lesser-ranked junior colleges.

Around 5 per cent of IP students exit before graduation, said the Education Ministry. Some transfer to polytechnics or junior colleges not offering the scheme. Of those who complete it, about 5 per cent fail to get into the local universities, the ministry added. Altogether, between 200 and 250 youngsters a year fail to thrive on the programme.

Students on the IP skip the O levels and shoot straight for the A levels or International Baccalaureate. They are expected to learn in an independent way, without being stifled by having to prepare for two major exams in six years.

Background story
18 schools with the programme by 2013

LAUNCHED in 2004, the Integrated Programme allows the top 10 per cent of primary school leavers to skip the O levels. This means that curriculum time is freed up for research attachments and field trips.

By 2013, there will be 18 Integrated Programme schools, up from the current 11. The 11 are Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Dunman High School, Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Girls' High School, National Junior College, NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, Raffles Girls' School, Raffles Institution, River Valley High School, Temasek Junior College and Victoria Junior College.

Next year, Victoria School and Cedar Girls' Secondary School will also offer the programme.

From 2013, Methodist Girls' School, St Joseph's Institution, Catholic High School, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School and Singapore Chinese Girls' School will follow suit.
But this is not necessarily the most desirable route for everyone, said the ministry. Nor is it the only path to success. 'Ultimately, the IP should only be taken up by those who would benefit from the self-directed learning environment it aims to promote,' said a spokesman.

Surprisingly, those who fail to thrive on the IP are not just less academic youngsters who were taken on because of their sporting or co-curricular achievements. Several entered IP schools with Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scores well above 250, and a handful were from the Gifted Education Programme.

The Straits Times interviewed 40 students who had either left brand-name schools offering the programme - such as Raffles and Hwa Chong Institution - or stayed on but fared poorly.

Some of those who left opted to go to the polytechnics, using their school examination or O-level results. Others transferred to lesser-ranked junior colleges.

Many of those who did badly were unable to get into the local universities, heading instead to private schools such as the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) or overseas to take up degree studies.

Recognising that not all students thrive on the scheme, two IP schools - Dunman High and Hwa Chong - also run O-level classes to prepare students for the examination. They said those lagging behind are identified at the end of Secondary 2 and advised to go into the O-level class. But some students also make the switch to the O-level track in Sec 4 or even JC1.

A few who do well enough in the O levels are admitted back into the JC level in the same school. If not, they are advised to leave for the polytechnics or other JCs.

Raffles Institution said it was looking into starting an O-level class. Principal Lim Lai Cheng said that if this happens, it will be 'to open up options' for those wanting to go to polytechnics or abroad.

The IP started in 2004 at eight schools. It was aimed at the top 10 per cent of students, who were clearly bound for university. The idea was to provide a seamless secondary and junior college education, giving them the space to develop intellectual curiosity and other talents.

The scheme became so popular that pupils and parents clamoured to get on board. More schools responded by offering the IP. In two years' time, 18 of them will be included in the programme, although the latest to join will also be offering the O-level track.

Parents are anxious that there will be even fewer places in top junior colleges for students who are not on the IP but hope to get in after the O levels. Some have turned to tuition centres that promise to help students excel in the PSLE.

Parents who have attended open houses at IP schools say they paint a rosy picture by publicising the stellar results of their IP students. There is no mention of their O-level class, or of those who fail.

Madam Clarissa Lim, who is considering the IP track for her son, said: 'It is only after talking to some parents of the older kids did I realise that a fair number of IP kids actually fall through the cracks.' The 38-year-old added: 'The schools should be more open so that parents will have to think hard about whether the IP suits their children.'

IP students who failed to thrive are divided about the merits of the scheme. One 22-year-old from Raffles Institution, who now studies at SIM, said: 'I didn't do so well in the A levels, but I still won't dismiss the IP as I felt that I gained in other ways. In my degree course at SIM, I am ahead of my classmates when it comes to research or when it comes to analysis.'

The student, who asked not to be named, added: 'In a sense it prepared me for the university well. Ironically it didn't prepare me well for the A levels.'

Others felt the IP had affected their academic progress. 'As far as I am concerned, I wasted one whole year,' said 18-year-old S. Lim, now in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. She had applied to the polytechnic after JC1. On her decision, she said: 'I am really one of those people who need a major exam to hunker down to study.'

The ministry said that for most students, O levels will continue to be the most suitable preparation for post-secondary education. It said this is why all the seven new IP schools will offer this route alongside the elite programme, to allow students to transfer across tracks.

sandra@sph.com.sg

NTU to offer history degree from next year

2011-12-19T16:38:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 20 Dec 2012--
Philosophy added as minor; will be major in a few years

By Amelia Tan

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is beefing up its menu of humanities courses with new offerings in history and philosophy. It will roll out a four-year course leading to an honours history degree next year.

It will also offer philosophy as a minor next year and as a major in a few years.

Currently, students who want to pursue history or philosophy as a major here can do so only at the National University of Singapore.

History is now offered as a minor at NTU, which will enrol 40 students in the degree programme in the next academic year from August. The intake will grow to about 60 a year in five years.

Professor Alan Chan, dean of the university's College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, said an interdisciplinary approach and global perspective will set its programmes apart from those at other schools. He noted that history has traditionally been studied in the context of chronological periods or by countries but there is great value in doing so with a global perspective.

This means at NTU, the history of Singapore, for example, will be studied not only in its local context but also in terms of its response to developments in Asia and the world at large.

Prof Chan said taking an interdisciplinary tack to studying the humanities is relatively new but provides students with a richer understanding of the world.

NTU's history students will learn about the history of science, technology and medicine, business and environment.

He said top American university Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a pioneer in this area.

MIT's history professors work closely with their colleagues from the science, technology and society programme.

Like MIT, NTU will also leverage on its strengths in engineering and science and offer history students a chance to attend lectures by engineering and science dons.

This interdisciplinary approach will extend to the philosophy course which will focus on ethics, Asian and comparative philosophy and the philosophy of science.

NTU's history and philosophy students will also get a chance to go on student exchange programmes overseas.

Currently, 40 per cent of students from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences do so and Prof Chan wants to grow the number to 70 per cent in the next three to five years via more partnerships with overseas universities.

The college has spearheaded a five-week summer programme in China which will be held in Tianjin next year. The programme, which will be offered to about 30 students from NTU and a group of top Chinese and American universities, will expose them to issues like sustainable urban development. They will also take Chinese language and culture classes.

Students welcome the introduction of these new courses.

Mr Justin Leow, 25, who is pursuing a masters in international relations at NTU after graduating with an English literature degree from the university this year, said: 'Many of my classmates are experienced mid-career professionals. But I find I am able to speak confidently in front of them because I have knowledge in wide-ranging topics.

'I took different courses during my undergraduate days, from English literature to history and economics.'

ameltan@sph.com.sg

NUS, Insead team up with Yale University

2011-12-16T16:40:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 16 Dec 2012--

THE National University of Singapore (NUS) and Insead business school have teamed up with Yale University's School of Management.

They are the first partners in Yale's new global network of top-tier business schools.

As part of the tie-up, the prestigious US university will launch a new master's degree programme in management, which will take in the best graduates from the master of business administration (MBA) programmes at NUS and Insead from next year.

Other potential areas of cooperation include setting up new non-degree programmes and sharing Yale's business case materials.

Professor Edward Snyder, dean of the Yale School of Management, told the Financial Times that the combination of a US degree from Yale and an MBA from one of the schools in the network would prove a winning combination for recruiters.

Insead's dean, Professor Dipak Jain, said: 'This is a time when all universities are looking to expand their reach into new markets for education through partnerships - both to combine their educational portfolios and to help build global talent.'

He said the school is already in partnerships with other top US business schools, such as Wharton and the Kellogg School of Management.

Insead was fourth in this year's Financial Times global ranking of MBA programmes, while Yale School of Management and NUS Business School were 15th and 23rd respectively.

Prof Snyder was quoted as saying that the Yale school's lack of global connections was one of its biggest problems. He said that at most universities, the business schools lead the globalisation push. At Yale, however, the university has a stronger international brand than its business school.

With the network, 'I think we have come up with a proposition that is distinctive, strategic and fits Yale', Prof Snyder was quoted as saying.

Yale will look at potential partner institutes in both developed and less developed countries, he said.

Same face behind troubled private schools

2011-12-15T22:52:00.002+08:00

--The Straits Times, 15 Dec 2011--

Tyndale is the third private educational institute operated by Guo Qiao Li that has run into trouble. She is facing charges of breaking private school regulations. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

About 200 students risk having their studies disrupted now that their private school is set to close.

Tyndale Institute is run by Guo Qiao Li, who is facing charges of breaking education regulations and operated two other schools that ran into trouble.

Tyndale has told the Council for Private Education, which regulates the sector, that it is winding down its business. Its registration is valid until next month, after which it must close.

The school, off Tanglin Road, offers diploma-level courses from a British examination board called Edexcel and a one-year degree programme accredited by the University of Sunderland in England.

More than half its students are believed to be foreigners. Six students interviewed by The Straits Times said they had paid between $10,000 and $20,000 each in fees.

The school has told the council that it is working to ensure that all students will get to complete their courses or get places at other private schools.

'We would like to assure students that they will be given the opportunity to complete their studies with minimal disruption,' said a spokesman.

But several of those enrolled there claimed they were still owed fees. They were worried about losing their money and having their studies disrupted.

Two students from China - Ms Liu Zuo Jun, 31, and Ms Xu Man, 25 - said they had transferred to Tyndale from other schools owned by Guo and had paid thousands in fees.

Over the last two days, they had part of the money refunded and are now in the midst of transferring again.

They and several other students were surprised that Guo was allowed to manage Tyndale despite being charged with breaking private school regulations.

The attractive 49-year-old from China became a Singapore citizen earlier this year. She lives in a bungalow in exclusive Sentosa Cove.

In 2008, a school she ran called Shines College made the news for offering unaccredited degree courses.

In July, she and two managers at Cambridge Business School were charged with running a pre-master's course without written permission from the Council for Private Education, and failing to keep proper records.

If found guilty, the trio could each be fined up to $10,000 or jailed for up to a year, and be barred from running a private school.

Ms Xu said: 'Surely if she was charged in court, she could be guilty of the charges. Should they not have suspended her from running a school?'

A spokesman for the council told The Straits Times it had no right to remove Guo as her case was still pending.

The Private Education Act allows it to direct schools to suspend or remove a manager who 'is deemed not a fit and proper person', for example, if he or she has been convicted of a crime.

When The Straits Times tried to interview the school's officials, including Guo, it was turned away. A staff member who gave his name only as Harry denied the school was shutting down.

He said it was in the process of renewing its registration.

The University of Sunderland told The Straits Times that it no longer offers its degree courses through Tyndale. The remaining 100 or so students will be allowed to complete their courses.

New laws governing private education came into effect in June. Schools now have to be registered, which means they need to meet higher standards such as having independent examination boards, transparent finances and adequately qualified teachers.

Those that want to enrol foreigners must earn the EduTrust mark, which sets even higher standards, including making sure that foreign universities linked to them are up to scratch.

The more stringent regulations have whittled down the number of private schools from more than 1,000 to 350. Several had to shut because they were unable to meet the new standards.

Hot demand for local varsity exchange courses

2011-12-10T14:07:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 10 Dec 2011--
Rise in applications since programme was started in 2001

By Stacey Chia

Mr Teo Tian Chong, an economics major from Singapore Management University (SMU), is looking forward to starting his exchange programme next month.

But the 23-year-old is not going overseas - he will spend a semester at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Exchange programmes among local universities are in huge demand, with students clamouring to spend a semester in one another's universities.

The number of applications for the Singapore Universities Student Exchange Programme has surged since it was started in 2001.

For instance, in NTU, there were 200 applicants in 2007. That number has more than quadrupled to 900 last year - and they were vying for just 40 spots available in the National University of Singapore (NUS) and SMU.

The programme is also popular at the other two universities.

Under the agreement between the three institutions, each university has been offering 20 exchange places to the other two universities.

The programme had a slow start - some described it as a poor imitation of the overseas exchange programme.

But it has gained popularity over the years.

NTU registrar Chan Kwong Lok said that increasingly, more students are seeing value in local student exchanges as a way to broaden their exposure to different learning environments and teaching approaches.

An SMU spokesman said that with a growing student population, and more students sharing positive experiences with one another, such programmes are expected to become even more popular.

NUS student Yang Wei, 21, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said she chose a local programme over a foreign one because she did not need to pay additional costs, such as accommodation.

For Mr Teo, the SMU student, the local programme is attractive partly because only credits, not grades, are transferred back to his university.

This means that he can opt to sign up for modules he is not confident of scoring in while on the exchange programme, and his grade point average will not be affected.

He said: 'There isn't as wide a selection for general modules at SMU and some sounded quite tough.'

Students can also sign up for the programme on a partial exchange basis, which means they can take some courses in their host university and the others back in their home university for that semester.

The three institutions have similar selection criteria. Students are selected mainly on academic merit. At NTU, those who also show aptitude, motivation and maturity stand a better chance.

Said Ms Yang: 'I believe it's even more competitive in some varsities than others. Many students in NTU said 'Wow, you must be smart' when I told them that I was an exchange student from NUS.'

For SMU student Issac Chee, 24, the chance to experience living on campus is a big draw.

'I thought it would be cool to live on campus, something that I can't do at SMU,' said the final-year economics student who went on an exchange programme at NTU two semesters ago.

Despite its popularity, there are no concrete plans to increase the number of spots - much to the disappointment of Mr James Toh, an SMU business management student.

He failed to clinch a spot at NTU for the next semester.

He said: 'If I didn't have to enrol in core modules in SMU, I would definitely apply again the following semester.'

staceyc@sph.com.sg

Hotel operator's scholarships for NYP's best

2011-12-01T12:28:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 1 Dec 2011--

Ms Jocelyn Chye (left) and Ms Lee Si Min are among NYP's hospitality and tourism management students who have had the chance to train with the Accor Group. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

The best among students studying hospitality and tourism management at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) stand to win scholarships from hotel operator Accor from next year.

Each year since 2009, NYP has sent about 30 students on internships in hotels managed by Accor here, but the scholarships are a first for the hotel group.

Each award, worth $8,000, will cover a student's tuition and miscellaneous fees for three years. All first-year hospitality students with potential will have a chance to be shortlisted for it.

Three scholarships will be available each year.

Upon graduation, scholarship holders will serve a 12-month bond under Accor's management trainee programme in one of its local hotels, namely, the Novotel Clarke Quay, the Grand Mercure Roxy, ibis Singapore on Bencoolen or ibis Singapore Novena.

They will be rotated through various departments such as front office, housekeeping or food and beverage.

After the year is out, trainees will be able to choose a department they wish to stay in, subject to the hotel's needs.

Accor Singapore's regional general manager Kevin Bossino said NYP students have shown 'perseverance, maturity and the can-do attitude' during their internships - qualities he cited as important for the industry.

He said Accor was offering the scholarships to NYP students also because of its ties with the school through the six- month internship programme.

NYP and Accor, which has 4,200 hotels in 90 countries, signed a memorandum of understanding at Novotel in Clarke Quay on Wednesday.

The other four polytechnics offer equivalent courses in hospitality and tourism, which also include internships with hotels to give them work experience.

The best second-year students from all five schools are eligible for bond-free scholarships from Resorts World Sentosa worth $4,000 each.

Mr Chiang Kah Kee, the director of NYP's School of Business Management, which runs the hospitality and tourism management programme, among others, said that, given the ever increasing need for productivity and job re-design, hotel staff have to multi-task in different work environments.

The management trainee programme that scholarship holders are put through aims to prepare them for this, he added.

STACEY CHIA

Grooming future leaders

2011-11-29T13:35:00.000+08:00

--The Business Times, 29 Nov 2011--
BUSINESS CHINA AWARDS
NTU's two Masters programmes have trained many top students who are often earmarked as mayors in China, reports LYNETTE KHOO

Dr Wu: The Mayors' Class is 'the only one in Asia, if not the world, that has trained and graduated so many senior officials'

IT all started as a request from Hebei province in 1998 to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to train a group of 12 senior officials. But this humble beginning has led to two Masters programmes being launched that have successfully trained more than 1,000 government officials from China.

The twin programme offering either a Masters in Managerial Economics or a Masters in Public Administration is dubbed the Mayors' Class for its distinguished crop of students who are often earmarked as mayors in China. Many of these officials were promoted shortly after graduation and are now vice governors, party secretaries of municipalities and mayors.

Professor Wu Wei, director of the Nanyang Centre of Public Administration (NCPA) that conducts the Mayors' Class, attributes the success of the programme to several factors.

The programme is conducted in Mandarin and this removes a language barrier for Chinese officials, he says. Singapore's clean and green environment and corruption-free government are also areas that China can learn from.

The Masters in Managerial Economics programme in 2003 was said to have inspired Hebei's top officials to adopt economic policies and urban development similar to Singapore's model.

'Many of these officials have heard about Singapore and how successful Singapore is but this is only what they read in the newspapers and the media. But now they come here, they have first-hand experience of Singapore,' notes Dr Wu. 'When they go back to China and you ask them about the Singapore story, they can immediately relate.'

'NTU has benefited from this because Singapore has a very good brand name,' Dr Wu adds.

The content of the Mayors' Class also goes beyond theories. 'They don't want you to talk about something they cannot really implement,' Dr Wu says. 'In my class, I teach them leadership. I will organise press conference simulation.'

Students are divided into groups and each group is asked to handle one crisis. The press conference simulation is video-taped, followed by a post-conference evaluation so that students understand the dos and don'ts. For instance, they learn how to manage a crisis such as a train crash in China. The Nicoll Highway incident in 2004 serves as a case study of how Singapore managed a crisis.

Students can also translate theories into practice through the Lien Challenge launched in 2008. Under this initiative, the winning graduation thesis will receive funding from the foundation to turn innovative ideas into real-life solutions.

A wastewater recycling project by the winning team of the inaugural Lien Challenge was completed last year. The team, led by Sichuan vice secretary-general Ma Bo, successfully created an artificially enhanced wetland that treats sewage in Yuanshan village in Sichuan, transforming it into irrigation water for agriculture and fish farming. This project has since improved the living conditions of over 1,300 villagers.

The success of the Mayors' Class speaks for itself. 'We have provincial governments that keep sending officials to our class every year because their officials really learn quite a lot from our programme,' Dr Wu says. Some alumni of the Mayors' Class have formed an influential group of decision makers in China, including deputy governor of Shandong province Cai Li Ming, Hubei provincial committee and party secretary of Xiangyang city Fan Ruiping, and Party Secretary of Hechi City Lan Tianli.

The Mayors' Class is 'the only one in Asia, if not the world, that has trained and graduated so many senior officials', Dr Wu points out.

Since a mutual agreement between China and Singapore in 2001, the Chinese government nominates a dozen officials each year to study in Singapore with the sponsorship of Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Companies including CapitaLand, Wilmar International and ST Engineering also offer scholarships to some participants every year.

Firms such as Keppel Land and ST Engineering have started to leverage on the NTU Mayors' Class to mingle with the Chinese officials through networking sessions. Some students of the programme have also organised trade fairs here to help Singapore companies find business opportunities in their cities.

For its contribution to Sino-Singapore bilateral ties, NTU (Mayors' Class) clinched this year's Business China Enterprise Award.

Its work does not finish here. The programme hopes to invite more Singapore officials to participate, having received its first Singaporean student from the Ministry of Education last year. Dr Wu reveals that he has approached the Prime Minister's Office for a potential collaboration to encourage Singapore officials to join the Mayors' Class. This is slated to take the Mayors' Class as a bilateral networking platform to the next level.

Applications for Yale-NUS College to start in Feb

2011-11-28T13:37:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 28 Nov 2011--
It'll likely enrol about 40 students in first round

Those gunning for places at Yale-NUS College, such as Mr Rocco Hu and Victoria Junior College student Yip Ning Xuan, are aware that some critics feel a broad-based liberal arts education does not help graduates land work. But they believe a narrow, job-specific education will not prepare them for a fast-changing marketplace. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

By Amelia Tan

With its emphasis on critical thinking rather than vocational skills, some have questioned whether it will be a hit in Singapore.

But the upcoming Yale-National University of Singapore (NUS) College has received a positive response as it gears up for the first round of admissions, said its acting executive vice-president of academic affairs.

Professor Lily Kong told The Straits Times: 'Feedback from prospective students, parents, teachers and employers so far shows that Yale-NUS' top-quality education in the humanities and sciences... is very attractive.'

The liberal arts college is a collaboration between the local university and America's prestigious Yale in New Haven, Connecticut. Classes start in August 2013 but students can apply for places as early as February next year.

This first round of admissions will be for those who are doing their national service or have completed their A levels and International Baccalaureate diplomas this year. The college expects to enrol about 40 students from the February round. It will start with 150 in August 2013, growing to 1,000 later.

Sceptics have questioned whether the kind of liberal arts education on offer will win favour with employers and those thinking of taking up courses.

However, Prof Kong is pleased with the response so far. A few thousand students, parents and teachers have attended outreach events at the college.

She said part of its appeal is that it will offer small group learning within a close-knit residential campus, adding: 'Even more than that, there has been a lot of excitement about overseas and internship opportunities that will be available.'

Students gunning for places at the college say they are aware some critics feel a broad-based liberal arts education does not help graduates land work.

But they believe a narrow, job-specific education will not prepare them for a fast-changing marketplace.

They see an undergraduate education as the 'starting point of their higher education journey' and plan to pursue master's degrees.

Victoria Junior College student Yip Ning Xuan, who is interested in studying accountancy, said: 'It is difficult to predict the needs of the economy in the future.'

The 17-year-old added: 'I feel that a specialised course may not prepare me well for a job as by the time I graduate, some of the things that I have learnt may be outdated.'

Mr Rocco Hu, 19, who is doing his national service, said: 'It is difficult to decide what job you would like to do right after your A levels. A liberal arts education allows me to take on different modules from philosophy to science and then I can decide on what I like.'

Yale's student newspaper reported earlier this month that there has been strong interest in teaching positions at the new college. More than 1,500 applications have been submitted so far.

The students will study and stay in three residential colleges to be built next to NUS University Town in the former Warren Golf Club premises.

They will take general education courses in the first two years promising Western and Asian perspectives, before going on to concentrate on a major.

The students will graduate in four years, with a bachelor of arts or science (honours) degree. Their scrolls will include the Yale-NUS College name.

ameltan@sph.com.sg

New med school going big on simulation

2011-11-24T19:37:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 24 Nov 2011--
Actor-patients, portable 'operating theatre' will feature in curriculum

By Stacey Chia

Prof Kneebone, inventor of the portable operating theatre called an igloo, believes it will gradually play a bigger role in medical education.

STUDENTS of the third medical school to open here in 2013 will be trained to put the patient at the heart of what they do.

To do this, simulation education will be made a big part of the curriculum at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.

Students learning to stitch up a wound will, for example, be faced with an actor wearing a silicone 'wound', who can be primed to cry in pain or be plain difficult to handle.

Related Links: WITHIN THE IGLOO

This method of learning is gaining popularity in medical schools, said Dr Roger Kneebone, a professor of surgical education at Imperial College London.

He explained that students who stitch up artificial wounds without an actor present would not behave as they would with a real person.

'When you do such procedures, you have to talk to the person instead of just tying knots on them,' he said.

These actors posing as patients will also give students practice in taking medical histories and in conveying bad news, added the professor.

Prof Kneebone was in town last week to promote simulation in medical education at the medical school's lecture series held at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, a National Healthcare Group (NHG) institution.

The NHG is a partner of the medical school, which is to be jointly run by Imperial College and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

The medical school will have an initial intake of 50 students and will step this number up to 150.

It will have two campuses, one at NTU's Yunnan Garden campus, and the other next to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

The school's senior vice-dean Martyn Partridge, a professor of respiratory medicine at Imperial College, said: 'We believe that service needs to be put back into medicine through a truly patient-centred approach.'

To ensure that patient-centredness is a default approach among its graduates, the school will run at least three sessions using actor-patients every year, he said.

And to give medical students experience in an operating theatre, the school will use a portable version of it called an igloo.

Shaped like an actual igloo, Prof Kneebone's invention can be inflated to the size of a real operating theatre and set up anywhere to create a simulated training environment, such as when all other simulation centres on campus are occupied.

The igloo also looks like and sounds like a real operating theatre for a realistic training experience, and can be kitted out with hospital equipment as well.

Cameras parked within it record the training proceedings so teams can review their performance.

In the igloo, students perform, for example, keyhole surgery on a dummy that can breathe, blink and has a beating heart. Controlling the dummy are the trainers, who can induce it to produce physiological responses to moves made by the students.

This way, students will build the clinical skills necessary to handle any kind of medical situation that may come at them in real life, said Prof Kneebone.

Simulation training using dummies also enables the students to gain skills without jeopardising the safety of patients.

The igloo is now being used only in Imperial College London, but Prof Kneebone said he believes it will gradually play a bigger role in medical education, especially in Britain where clinical exposure is decreasing.

The other two medical schools here, the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, also use simulation in their curricula.

Prof Kneebone said, however, that as good as simulation training is, it is still not a substitute for good clinical education.

Prof Partridge agreed, saying: 'The first time a student goes near a patient, he should feel confident and competent. This is about preparation for good clinical practice.'

staceyc@sph.com.sg

Young PAP to hold rally at Speakers' Corner for lower poly fares

2011-11-24T19:22:00.001+08:00

--The Straits Times, 24 Nov 2011--
Event 'aimed at transport operators, not Government'

By Rachel Chang & Shuli Sudderuddin

In a first for the People's Action Party (PAP), its youth wing is taking to the Speakers' Corner this Saturday - in the name of lower public transport fares for polytechnic students.

The unprecedented public advocacy is not aimed at the Government, but rather public transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit, said Young PAP (YP) deputy organising secretary Abner Koh.

Polytechnic and university students are considered tertiary-level students rather than post-secondary, hence they fork out about twice what those in junior colleges pay.

Activism to redress this imbalance has been going on for years. In 2008 and 2009, a group of polytechnic and university students, including Workers' Party (WP) youth wing secretary Bernard Chen, collected some 5,200 signatures in a petition to lower fares.

Mr Koh said that the YP was now taking up the gauntlet because it did not want these past efforts to 'go down the drain'.

To take to the Speakers' Corner is a decision in line with the YP's new emphasis on 'servant leadership', he said.

The latter concept was emphasised in a speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the YP's 25th anniversary in April.

The Speakers' Corner event comes a week after YP organised a session with Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng and several polytechnic students on the issue.

'It is a cause that warrants some attention,' he told The Straits Times. 'The Speakers' Corner is a space for legitimate views, and even the ruling party can go there. It shouldn't just be seen as a space for the opposition or the anti-establishment.'

But Saturday's event, called 'Wear White for Fairer Fare', has already drawn online criticism for not acknowledging past efforts and for being partisan.

Mr Koh said that the white dress code has nothing to do with party colours and was chosen to represent 'fairness and purity'.

A rival effort exhorting netizens to wear black to the Speakers' Corner to undermine the YP has sprung up on Facebook. It was started by longstanding YP antagonist Alex Tan, 25, a Singapore People's Party member.

The WP's Mr Chen, 25, said he was glad that momentum was returning to the issue.

The 2008/2009 petition was an example of youth activism, he said. 'We want people to realise that if you band together, if your engagement is constructive and responsible, you'll be heard.

'You don't necessarily have to go through mainstream politics.'

Still, Nanyang Polytechnic student Edison Lim, 18, believes that the PAP youth wing's involvement will propel things forward.

A YP member, Mr Lim said he came up with the idea of the Speakers' Corner event. When the YP leadership threw its weight behind his idea, he was pleasantly surprised.

'It makes a big difference with them behind us,' he said. 'Hopefully, we can now put some pressure on the transport operators.'

rchang@sph.com.sg

shulis@sph.com.sg

TP to offer new diploma in business analytics

2011-11-24T19:20:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 24 Nov 2011--

SINGAPORE: Temasek Polytechnic (TP) will offer a new business analytics diploma programme next year.

The Diploma in Business Intelligence & Analytics will take in its first batch of 50 students in April 2012.

Students will learn how to use analytics to predict business outcomes, by gathering and crunching raw data to study trends.

It is aimed at meeting the growing demand from the industry for analytics capabilities.

TP said it will run the programme in partnership with SAS, the leader in business analytics.

A TP-SAS Business Intelligence & Analytics Centre will also be set up to allow industry to engage students to work on solutions using SAS technologies.

- CNA/ck

S'pore grads in recession catch up eventually

2011-11-22T23:10:00.001+08:00

--The Business Times, 22 November 2011--

By TEH SHI NING

(SINGAPORE) Graduates entering the job market here in a recession start off with lower pay, but their salaries catch up with the wages of those who start in economic booms after about three years on the job.

This compares with an 18-year disadvantage faced by graduates joining the United States workforce in a recession, says a study published in the latest issue of the Economic Survey of Singapore, released yesterday.

Economists from the Ministry of Trade and Industry's (MTI) Economic Division found that a one percentage point increase in the unemployment rate at the time a university graduate starts work reduces his starting pay by about 6-8 per cent.

The results of their statistical regressions are similar to those of a US study of graduates which finds an initial wage loss of 6-7 per cent for a one-point increase in the US unemployment rate.

But this negative impact diminishes over time and disappears after a graduate has gained three years of work experience. 'Singapore's labour market would thus appear to be efficient enough to prevent the perpetuation of downward wage persistence for 'unlucky' cohorts of graduates,' the study's authors said.

The US study found that it takes almost 18 years before a graduate's initial wage disadvantage is mitigated. Singapore's recovery period could be shorter due to higher job mobility of university graduates here, or greater variable and performance-linked components in the wage structures here, which could make it easier for 'unlucky' graduates to catch up with the skills acquired, the MTI economists said.

Their results do come with caveats though. The data available, from 2000 to 2007, covers just one recession and the short time frame may exclude long- term negative effects. Also, without information on individual ability and job switches, they were unable to assess how different segments of university graduates are affected - key because wage persistence can differ for people of varying abilities.

The economists said that this exploration of whether joining the labour force in recession-time has a negative impact on wages is an area 'of growing importance', given the 'rising economic volatility in Singapore'. There have been three recessions in the last 15 years, and only one before 1996.

Job creation was stronger in Q3, with 32,300 jobs added in the quarter compared to 24,800 in Q2.

But with economic slowdown now underway, economists like OCBC Bank's Selena Ling expect the labour market to 'soften this quarter and next year'. Pointing to recent official business expectations surveys, she notes that employers have already turned cautious about hiring.

SUTD helps open paths to ‘innovative education’

2011-11-15T12:34:00.003+08:00

--MyPaper, 15 Nov 2011--
Sarah Chang

The unique learning environment offered by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) reflects an important policy objective: To foster innovation in university education.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the university was mooted not only to offer more spots for students, but also to "create new and different pathways" for them.

This will give young Singaporeans with diverse interests and abilities "a landscape of options", he said, adding that this will prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities of the 21st century.

He was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of SUTD's East Coast Campus, slated for completion in early 2015.

SUTD is currently based in an interim campus in Dover Drive. It will receive its first batch of students in Apri next year.

SUTD breaking new ground in university education

2011-11-15T12:27:00.004+08:00

--The Straits Times, 15 Nov 2011--
4th uni's curriculum to bridge East-West, and will be multi-disciplinary

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

An artist's impression of the Singapore University of Technology and Design's campus. Classes begin in April at an interim campus in Dover with an initial cohort of 500 students, and students will move to the Changi campus in 2014 when Phase 1 is built. -- PHOTO: DP ARCHITECTS

When the Government decided to set up the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), its objective was not just to provide more places for those wanting to further their education.

It also wanted to create a 'landscape of options for young Singaporeans with diverse interests and abilities', said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Monday.

The new university, Singapore's fourth, demonstrates the kind of innovation that the Government wanted, he added at the ground-breaking ceremony for its 23ha campus in Changi.

Mr Tharman, who is also Finance Minister and Manpower Minister, explained how the new institution 'will break new ground in university education'.

One unique selling point is that it partners two world-class universities. In the West, there is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. In the East, there is China's Zhejiang University.

MIT, dubbed the world's best engineering school, helped SUTD develop its curriculum. Professors from Zhejiang, part of the 'Chinese Ivy League' of nine top universities, will teach five courses. These are adapted to complement SUTD's curriculum with an Eastern perspective.

Mr Tharman told an audience including officials from both partner universities that another innovative feature of SUTD is its curriculum, which is technologically grounded but multi-disciplinary.

The new university, which will start classes next year, will offer four programmes: architecture and sustainable design; engineering product development; engineering systems and design; and information systems technology and design.

But from their freshman year to the capstone project in their final year, students will draw on knowledge and expertise across the disciplines.

Mr Tharman said the curriculum draws on major elements of MIT's teaching and approaches, but still has the advantage of starting from a clean slate. He also noted that the design of the new campus, which does away with individual buildings for the different disciplines, will encourage collaborative learning.

SUTD's president, Professor Tom Magnanti, said classrooms, laboratories and meeting rooms will be spread over four connecting blocks.

'The campus buildings are designed to encourage students, faculty and staff to interact and build on one another's ideas,' he said.

Zhejiang's president Yang Wei said international collaboration is a must for any university aiming to have a global presence in the 21st century.

He said the world faces many pressing problems, such as climate change, that demand international collaborations and 'the coming together of different perspectives and ideas'.

MIT's president Susan Hockfield said the new university will provide an environment that encourages the crossing of boundaries - between disciplines, between countries, and between academia and industry.

She said that hopefully over time, SUTD will emerge as a 'true sister institution to MIT, both a collaborator and competitor'.

'We hope to create a university every bit as admired and successful as MIT has been,' she added.

Asked about how MIT stands to benefit from the collaboration, she said: 'Singapore is a melting pot that draws people from all over the world and has a history of experimentation and bold undertakings.

'So for us, it is a terrific opportunity for collaboration in an environment that presents different elements.'

SUTD begins classes in April next year at its interim campus in Dover, with an initial cohort of 500 students. Students will move to the Changi campus in 2014 when Phase 1 of the campus is built.

There will eventually be 4,000 undergraduates and 2,000 postgraduates studying there.

sandra@sph.com.sg

Why is Yale outsourcing a campus to Singapore?

2011-11-09T23:14:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 9 Nov 2011--
In their race to go global, American colleges are ignoring the roots of liberal education

by Eric Weinberger

"Just as Singapore Airlines now sets the standard for air travel worldwide, Yale-NUS College aspires to influence the shape of undergraduate education throughout Asia." - Mr Richard Levin, president, Yale University

So it has come to this: Mr Rick Levin, president of one of America's great universities, hopes to build a college that will enjoy the reputation of Singapore Airlines, which many of us remember from National Geographic ads featuring comely stewardesses beneath the legend "Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly!"

The occasion, on April 11, was the formal announcement in Singapore of Yale-NUS, where NUS is the National University of Singapore, Yale's partner in a proposed new liberal arts college that will admit its first students in 2013. The intellectual direction for this endeavour will come from Yale, but Singapore will pay the bill - a selling point to Yale administrators keen to show the low-risk (because no-cost) nature of the enterprise.

But the costs to Yale are huge, in the time and attention of senior administrators like the president and provost who have a campus to run in New Haven, not to mention the staff and faculty who have worked on this project at the expense of Yale issues and Yale students. But perhaps it is worth it to create the luxury brand of Asian colleges? Lux et Veritas et Singapore Airlines.

Mr Levin's banal remark, quite likely drafted in the well-stocked first-class cabin of a Singapore Airlines flight en route to the announcement, echoes what we have come to expect from universities run by economists and others in thrall to the internationalisation of US higher education - the notion that campuses in usually authoritarian states (eg the United Arab Emirates, China, and Singapore) are necessary to "compete" or "stay relevant" or "embrace the future".

For New York University's president John Sexton, the phrase of choice is "the global network university". The original Washington Square campus is only one component of this burgeoning institution: NYU is building degree-granting campuses in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi, establishing Mr Sexton as chief empire-builder of them all.

Designs of this kind are expensive, except when paid for by supplicants. Buried within NYU Abu Dhabi's 39-question FAQ (beneath question 38) is a single sentence: "The government of Abu Dhabi addresses all of the costs associated with the NYU Abu Dhabi campus".

Yale's September 2010 Singapore prospectus, created for faculty by Levin and his provost, Mr Peter Salovey, reveals more: Yale-NUS will "reimburse Yale for all expenses, including compensation to departments and programmes for replacing the teaching of Yale faculty who are actively involved in the initial planning ... Similarly, NUS would cover the salaries of Yale faculty who spend time teaching in Singapore, releasing funds to support their departments or programmes at Yale".

No reasonable person should believe that Yale is in this to make money. Yet the effect is that the world's second richest university gains a foreign subsidy for an internationalism programme that, according to a 2005 document, includes a domestic purpose: "To remain at parity with, or move ahead of, other leading institutions with which we compete for students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty".

FOREIGN PROSELYTISING?

Yale's expression of its international ambitions, from the same paper, is contained in the term "Global University of Consequence". It's a phrase that sounds rather like Mr Sexton's, but far more self-regarding. What is always distinctive about Yale's rhetoric is its exceptionalism: The notion (rather like the global outlook of Mr George W Bush, Yale '68) that Americans are bringing something ennobling and civilised to places that can't get it without us.

Yale's public documents on this subject all begin with this premise. The aforementioned prospectus puts it as follows: "Creating an entirely new liberal arts college in Asia would allow Yale to extend to other parts of the world its long tradition of leadership in shaping liberal education."

Even Mr Levin's brief April 2011 speech revealed Yale as particularly self-involved. More than half of his speech was dedicated to five passages, each beginning with the refrain "This is a momentous day for Yale". Only near the end - right after the bit about Singapore Airlines - was the Asian audience told this would be "a momentous day" for them, too.

What reasons does Mr Levin offer for this momentousness - beyond the discovery that Singapore and NUS present "a partner worthy of and committed to this ambitious undertaking"?

He begins his speech by looking back to 1828, when university officials published The Yale Report, an argument for liberal education that set the course for many new colleges then arising across the young United States. (The 2010 prospectus reminds faculty that Yale graduates promoted the Report's ideas "as founders or first presidents" of dozens of institutions, "including Princeton, Columbia, Williams, Swarthmore, Dartmouth and Middlebury".) Through Yale-NUS, Mr Levin declared in his speech, the university would have "an opportunity to influence the course of 21st century education in Singapore and Asia, much as we did in our own country during the 19th century."

Even as some Yale graduates might be embarrassed by Yale's boasting, we might quietly concede that we agree with large parts of it. But is Yale, or any comparable institution, a church, and is Yale's mission consistent with foreign proselytising?

The Yale mission statement is ambiguous on this point, but it does include a commitment to "create, preserve, and disseminate knowledge". Extrapolating from its history, Yale now declares its right and destiny to seed the world with liberal arts colleges. Levin holds up for general admiration that 1828 Report, just as in his and Mr Salovey's prospectus he reminds faculty that "Yale is widely recognised as leading the nation in the conceptualisation of liberal education in the early 19th century".

But what becomes clear from reading Mr David B Potts' annotated edition of the Report (Liberal Education for a Land of Colleges, Palgrave Macmillan 2010) is that those Yale pioneers were, even then, perceived by some as hidebound in their conception of liberal education The Report, trumpeting classical languages, contains an implied attack on the founders of Amherst College who, in their own 1827 reports, developed a more exciting, modern pedagogy with plenty of the ancients but also Voltaire, LaFontaine, Schlegel, Locke, Spanish-language writers and modern mathematicians (not Newton, but Leibniz).

Yale gives itself too much credit. Mr Levin's claim that the Report "defined for a young nation the type of education that it hoped would be provided for the nation's future leaders" is self praise that should really be shared with numerous institutions, each with its own distinct vision.

INTELLECTUAL VACUITY

Critics of Yale's Singapore scheme, who include Yale lecturer Mark Oppenheimer,Yale professor Christopher Miller, and, 10 months ago, myself, have tended to seize on the lack of political and personal (and thereby, academic) freedom in Singapore as reasons for our discontent. But my guess is that it is equally the intellectual vacuity of the programme that bothers so many of us.

From Mr Rick Levin's aforementioned foundational report of 2005 to his April speech in Singapore, the emphasis has been solely on Yale's strategic positioning and administrative programs, appointments and gestures that make Yale better known worldwide. These are networking rather than policy documents, from a corporate leader who sees new markets, new projects, and new collaborators.

Mr Levin freely cites the Report, yet without submitting or writing anything like it: A reflective, cerebral essay that might satisfy his academic critics that there are, indeed, sound intellectual reasons for Yale's giving so much of itself to one foreign site.

Mr Levin's intentions (or Yale's; one uses the terms interchangeably) are more than about prestige, of course. Universities are here to address the world's problems, a line I heard often enough in my two years, from 2008 to 2010, as something of a clerk in the Harvard president's office.

Just recently Ms Drew Faust addressed her commencement audience with these words: "Universities are critical resources in addressing issues from economic growth to global health, to sustainable cities, to privacy and security, to therapeutics," putting a timeline on her efforts that dates nicely to the beginning of her term in office: "In these past four years, Harvard has reached into the world, and the world has reached into Harvard as never before."

While Ms Faust's words align with much of what Mr Levin has said over the past decade, Harvard has moved modestly. Building the university's future in the Boston neighbourhood of Allston, just across the river from Cambridge, has been a fraught and tempering experience for a rich, famous university; one wonders if Yale has paid sufficient attention to this example as it looks halfway around the globe.

"Doing good for the world is what Yale does" is Mr Levin's line from a recent magazine interview. But Levin's posture, which some might describe as optimistic or forward-looking, can equally be seen as defensive, born of a fear of being overtaken then left behind. When "given opportunities to lead" (quoting Yale's prospectus), the assumption is that one must take them. But leadership can also mean not taking those opportunities, showing restraint and husbanding resources closer to home.

ADAPTATION, NOT IMITATION

The 1828 pioneers were robust. They knew where they came from. And that meant distancing themselves from their European university forebears.

There was much that was fine about "the Universities on the continent of Europe, especially in Germany", they wrote, and yet, they added, "we doubt whether they are models to be copied in every feature by our American colleges".

They realised that anything borrowed from Europe had to be adapted in bits and pieces, "such parts of their plans as are suited to our peculiar situation and character". Worried about the "mortification of a ludicrous attempt" at imitation, these early professors underpinned pedagogy with ideas about their country, land, government and society in ways that seem quite absent with the modern empire-builders of academe.

Truly, the responsibility for creating great Asian universities lies with Asian countries themselves.

The rootlessness of the entire Yale-NUS project can be seen from its origins: As a creation, literally, of Davos, where according to the Yale Alumni Magazine it was conceived, over tea, between the two university presidents, Mr Levin of Yale and Mr Tan Chorh Chuan of NUS.

From January 2009 to April this year - a lightning-fast project for academia, but not for authoritarian states like Singapore or China, where as we know grand projects crop up in the blink of an eye. Good for them.

But setting the right conditions for academic freedom to flourish is something Singapore and other nations must do on their own. NYU, Yale and the others can't do it for them, any more than US military advisers have been able to create a foreign fighting force fit for a democracy in countries that lack democratic values.

As Mr Mark Oppenheimer has written, if you want liberal education, "actually, it's not that hard ... Just change your laws to allow complete freedom of expression". And so let Singapore build a university Singapore Airlines can be proud of. THE ATLANTIC

Eric Weinberger taught writing at Harvard from 1999 to 2007.

Republic Poly to groom sports coaches

2011-11-05T23:03:00.002+08:00

--The Straits Times, 05 Nov 2011--
Three-year diploma course will help address need for more professionalism in field

By Amelia Tan

Basketball coach Grain Baysa-Pee (in black) teaching the finer points of the game to Republic Polytechnic students (from left) Dzul Helmi Ng, 21; Mohamad Hafez Samsudin, 21; and Lim Yi Xiang, 22. The poly will launch its sports coaching diploma next year. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

THE sporting fraternity called for the systematic development of coaches and Republic Polytechnic (RP) has responded - with a diploma programme in sports coaching to start next year.

The first poly here to offer such a diploma, it will kick off the three-year course with 40 students.

They will be taken through a foundation in sports science - covering areas such as motor development, nutrition and psychology. They will also be taught team management and coaching ethics and be trained to coach various sports.

The students will go on internships and log the required number of hours towards becoming a registered coach with the Singapore Sports Council.

An RP spokesman said graduates may become coaches, officials or allied physical education teachers in schools.

The other four polytechnics have kept their ears to the ground and are also rolling out programmes next year to meet industry demands in 'hot' sectors such as mobile technology and social media.

The call for sports coaches to be able to coach sports and run sports activities with greater professionalism and confidence was among the recommendations made last year by the Committee on Safety in School Sports.

The committee was formed after a number of on-field brawls broke out among school sports teams, triggering public debate about the sportsmanship values coaches can impart beyond the technique behind the sport, and about whether our coaches are equipped to do that.

The sports coaching diploma was welcomed by sports professionals. Singapore Athletic Association president Tang Weng Fei said the diploma will groom a new generation of coaches who believe in the holistic development of athletes.

He said: 'Working an athlete, especially a young one, too hard can result in injuries. We need coaches who believe in the holistic development of athletes, and this requires knowledge in areas such as physical development, nutrition and psychology.'

He added that coaches should continue honing their skills even after getting their diploma.

Among the other polytechnics rolling out new programmes are Temasek Poly (TP) and Nanyang Poly (NYP), both of which are launching a course in business intelligence and analytics.

Practitioners in this field gather information from various sources including social media, analyse the data and use it to propose smart business solutions.

The managing director of IBM Singapore, Ms Janet Ang, said business intelligence and analytics graduates are in demand, as making sense of complex data is a skill not many information technology professionals have.

She said: 'They need to leverage on the data generated by their business and in social networks to gain insights into their customers and get ahead of the competition.'

Students like Ms Joey Lee, 20, said they have gained useful skills from business analytics courses. The final-year student in financial informatics at NYP said she applied what she learnt during an internship in customer service in a local bank.

She said: 'I helped run a software that estimated the number of customers the bank would be serving during a certain period. The bank used this information to allocate its resources to minimise the waiting time - and frustration - faced by the bank's customers.'

ameltan@sph.com.sg

Background story
HOLISTIC APPROACH

'Working an athlete, especially a young one, too hard can result in injuries. We need coaches who believe in the holistic development of athletes, and this requires knowledge in areas such as physical development, nutrition and psychology.'

Singapore Athletic Association president Tang Weng Fei

Background story
Meeting demand in 'hot' industries

REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC
•Sports coaching: Skills required of qualified coaches
•Mobile software development: Business and technical skills needed to develop mobile applications
•Consumer behaviour and research: Fundamental knowledge in the social sciences, psychology and market-research methodologies

NANYANG AND TEMASEK POLYTECHNICS
•Business intelligence and analytics: The gathering of information from various sources, including social media, analysing the data and proposing smart business solutions from this

NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC
•International logistics and supply chain management: A foundation in business, logistics and supply-chain management in global operations

SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC
•Business innovation and design: Using a designer's approach to solve business problems and create business innovations

Republic Poly offers 3-year diploma in mobile software development

2011-11-04T23:01:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 04 Nov 2011--

SINGAPORE - With the likes of Angry Birds all the rage now, a polytechnic here is looking to tap into the fast-growing mobile application market by offering a new diploma from next year.

The Republic Polytechnic's (RP) three-year Diploma in Mobile Software Development will enable students to learn about the design and development of mobile applications used in smartphones like Apple's iPhone and Google's Android phones.

They will also be taught marketing strategies to sell the applications that they have developed. The course is open to 40 students.

RP, which hopes to increase its intake in the next academic year to 5,000 students from the current 4,000-plus, will also be launching two other new diplomas.

The Diploma in Consumer Behaviour and Research will equip students with knowledge on the Asian consumer market, while the Diploma in Sports Coaching will enable students to have a basic understanding of sports science and learn more about team management and coaching ethics.

For the new academic year, beginning in April, the polytechnic, which turns 10 next year, will be giving out 200 scholarships for the first time.

Each scholarship is worth S$2,500 per academic year, RP said yesterday.

Republic Polytechnic to offer 3 new diplomas

2011-11-04T23:00:00.000+08:00

--Channel NewsAsia,04 Nov 2011--

SINGAPORE: Republic Polytechnic (RP) is offering three new diplomas for next year's intake.

These are Diploma in Sports Coaching, Diploma in Mobile Software Development and Diploma in Consumer Behaviour and Research.

RP is the first local polytechnic to offer the three diplomas and will take in at least 40 students per intake.

The polytechnic said the new diplomas target students with an interest in the growing sports, marketing and mobile industries.

With these three new diplomas, RP will be offering a choice of 38 diplomas to the intake next year.

- CNA/cc

More new varsity places for poly grads

2011-10-28T16:21:00.001+08:00

--The Straits Times, 28 October 2011--
New degree programmes must be relevant to industry: Lawrence Wong

By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer
HELSINKI - When the Government expands the university sector to give places to more than 30 per cent of students from each cohort, more of these places will go to polytechnic graduates, said Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong.

But it must ensure that the new degree programmes remain relevant to the industry and focus on hands-on practice.

'We have to think of providing a university pathway that will build on the strengths of their polytechnic education and allow them to maximise their potential in areas they are good at,' he added.

Doing so will ensure that these students enjoy good job prospects when they graduate, he noted on Wednesday, after visiting two Finnish universities.

As it was, he noted, employers appreciated the fact that Singapore's polytechnics offered courses that were relevant to the industry and were practice-oriented, making them attractive in the job market.

Mr Wong, who heads a committee looking at ways to provide Singaporeans with more university places, is on a study trip to Finland and France to look at university education in Europe.

By 2015, Singapore's four universities, together with the Singapore Institute of Technology, which offers degrees for polytechnic upgraders, will be able to take in 14,000 Singaporeans each year.

This means 30 per cent of each Primary 1 cohort will get to go to a local university.

By then, 20 per cent of each polytechnic cohort will be given places in these universities, up from the current 15 per cent. More than 70 per cent of junior college students go on to local universities.

Mr Wong said: 'The larger proportion of the people who will benefit from this expansion of the university sector will be the poly graduates.'

On Wednesday, he and his delegation visited the research-intensive University of Helsinki and the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, referred to as a 'polytechnic' in the Finnish system.

The first university offers a five-year track for students aiming to graduate with bachelor's and master's degrees, while the second offers more job-specific, four-year degree programmes in areas ranging from engineering and IT to nursing.

Mr Wong said one of the strong points of the Finnish university system was that it offered two distinct tracks to young Finns - one more 'job specific and vocational' and the other more 'academic'.

Graduates from both universities were sought after by employers, with those from the University of Helsinki heading to the public sector and those from Metropolia getting private sector jobs.

He said creating these distinctive tracks to nurture different types of graduates was an 'important point to bear in mind' for the 15-member university review committee.

He also noted that if the committee, at the end of the review, recommends setting up a new university, it is 'more likely' to be a teaching university, rather than a research-oriented one like the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.

He added that the committee has to ask itself if Singapore needs more research universities or if a 'teaching university' would serve the needs of the students and employers better.

He said the Finnish system also offered a 'reality check' to the committee. He noted that Finland, with its 16 research universities and 25 applied sciences universities, offered places to 65 per cent of a Primary 1 cohort. But in the end, one in four failed to graduate with a degree.

As university education is free here, the remaining students took, on average, seven years to complete the five-year bachelor's and master's degree track.

This was a problem even in its leading university, the University of Helsinki, which is consistently ranked among the world's top 100 universities. It takes in 4,000 students a year but only 2,600 graduate annually.

Mr Wong noted: 'So participation rate is one thing, but the actual attainment rate is lower. The Finns have made it a generous, flexible system with no dead ends, but it has created problems of its own.'

He also said that if Singapore wanted to set up new universities to offer more places, then it must ensure that they were sustainable and of high quality.

Mr Wong, who is accompanied by the committee members and Ministry of Education officials, is also visiting French universities, including the Paris Sorbonne University and Sciences Po. The committee will submit its report by the end of next year.

ITE College West: Serving the needs of the industry

2011-10-25T14:08:00.002+08:00

--The Business Times, 25 October 2011--
SINGAPORE EXPERIENCE AWARDS

By NISHA RAMCHANDANI

Dr Yek: 'We must continue to invest in training our school leavers with the relevant skills and imbuing in them a service excellence mindset.'

AS Singapore's tourism industry grows by leaps and bounds, the industry needs a continuous pipeline of trained talent so that it can remain competitive, says Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West's principal Yek Tiew Ming.

'In recent years, we have seen strong interest in hospitality and tourism courses, especially in Western culinary, pastry, and baking, and leisure and travel operations,' notes Dr Yek.

'While there is strong interest amongst the students to work in the integrated resorts, the students are also keenly aware that there are also as many opportunities offered at the hotels, boutique restaurants, and also travel agencies and attractions.

'At the end of the day, the industry offers a wide range of career progression opportunities that cater to the different aspirations of the students.'

Singapore's tourism industry has grown significantly in recent years, which offers good prospects for students who are keen on venturing into that line of business.

For instance, last year was a banner year for tourism with Singapore chalking up some $18.9 billion in tourism receipts and 11.6 million in visitor arrivals.

'A key challenge is to maintain our competitive and service edge with a pool of well trained, passionate, and qualified manpower.

'We must continue to invest in training our school leavers with the relevant skills and imbuing in them a service excellence mindset. A continuous pipeline of trained talents will help the industry stay competitive and grow in a sustainable manner,' he adds.

This year, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is targeting a record 12-13 million visitors and $22-24 billion in tourism receipts.

According to data released yesterday by STB, Singapore hit tourism receipts of $5 billion in the second quarter of this year, up 18 per cent year-on- year, while visitor arrivals grew 14 per cent to 3.2 million.

For the first six months of the year, tourism receipts came in at $11 billion, which represents an increase of 32 per cent from last year.

Going by the numbers, it looks like Singapore is on track to meet this year's target.

'The vibrant tourism scene means that the industry offers good opportunities for employment and career progression for the foreseeable future.

'With an increasing demand for quality service amongst the locals and overseas visitors alike, there is a continued need to supply the industry with manpower that is adequately trained and who possess the correct service attributes,' stresses Dr Yek.

However, growth doesn't come without challenges. 'Infrastructure would have to expand to cope with the increased visitor arrivals. It also means that there would be an increased demand for trained manpower,' Dr Yek points out.

'In response to this challenge, (ITE College West) has invested resources to build state-of-the-art facilities and to put in place a faculty team that is highly experienced.

'We spare no effort (in) create(ing) the most conducive training environment so that we can be effective in developing and preparing our local talents to be world-ready and work- ready.'

In 2006, the college first started offering National ITE Certificate (NITEC) level training in areas such as Western culinary skills, food and beverage operations, tourism, and retail. It started with an enrolment of 300.

Since then, it has grown and come 2012, the college will be looking at 1,800 places for over 10 NITEC and Higher NITEC courses in areas such as Asian culinary, pastry and baking, hospitality operations, leisure and travel operations, attractions, and passenger services.

The courses - with the exception of retail and tourism which are both a year each - last two years.

In addition, the school launched the Technical Diploma in Culinary Arts with Restaurant Management programme in April this year, a collaboration with the Europe-based training institute, Institut Paul Bocuse.

To get a taste of different cultures, students are also sent beyond Singapore's shores on overseas trips under the college's Global Education Programme.

Faculty include veterans from the industry such as director of the college's school of hospitality Denise Tan, formerly the director of rooms at St Regis as well as The Fullerton Hotel, and section head Edwin Phua, who has participated in, and won prizes at, various local and international culinary competitions.

'The lecturers' trade skills and knowledge proficiency is continually kept current and enhanced through training, participation in competitions, industry projects, and consultation work,' Dr Yek emphasises.

'Our facilities and training approach is centred on the philosophy of authentic learning. We have probably the highest proportion of our course curriculum time devoted to honing of practical skills in real-to-industry facilities such as Amber@ West, our commercial training restaurant and at Hotel@College West, the only school-based training hotel in Singapore with 22 rooms.'

The school also ties up with industry partners, giving students access to resources and creating a conducive training environment.

In addition, the course curriculum is updated to take into account the newest industry practices and requirements.

Academic Advisory Committees, made up of senior management representatives from the industry, help design and approve the college's course curriculum.

ITE College West won best Education Experience at the 2011 Singapore Experience Awards, which was organised by STB. The awards, which took place on Oct 17, was held at the Marina Bay Sands.

A degree's not the only way to achieve dream

2011-10-19T16:10:00.002+08:00

--The Straits Times, 19 October 2011--

By Rachel Chang

Mr Darran Nathan developed a computing technology which he worked on in school and tinkered with during his time in NS. He commercialised it into a software. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

After national service, Mr Darran Nathan, now 31, had two options.

He could have followed in the footsteps of some polytechnic graduates and gone to university, or continued developing a computing technology he worked on in school and tinkered with through NS.

As the top student in his Ngee Ann Polytechnic cohort, he had a bond-free, full scholarship from Ngee Ann Kongsi to attend any university in the world.

'There was strong survival pressure at that time to go to university,' he said. 'But ultimately, I had to think about what I really wanted in life.'

With $80,000 in funding from Spring Singapore and his alma mater, Mr Nathan commercialised the technology into a software that makers of animation films now use in India, Australia and Hollywood.

His investors include the co-founders of Skype.

Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong on Tuesday cited Mr Nathan as an example of 'students who recognise that a degree is not the only route to achieving one's dream'.

In fact, Mr Nathan is a veteran of unorthodox choices. He scored seven A1s in his O-level examinations, but chose to get an electronic and computer engineering diploma rather than go to junior college.

'I know there is a great desire among young people to get a university education,' said Mr Wong in his maiden speech in the House. 'But there are many good students who prefer a hands-on, practice-based environment.'

The Ministry of Education will raise its investment in the polytechnics and new Institute of Technical Education colleges to provide more opportunities for future Mr Nathans, he said.

Mr Wong said he had met many young people who give back to society through grassroots work, community service or social enterprise. They have 'encouraged' him.

He hopes more Singaporeans of all ages will step forward to serve, because 'service makes our lives richer'.

'I know it has made mine more fulfilling and meaningful. Through service, we not only discover more about ourselves, but also about the meaning of community and the meaning of citizenship.'

1,000 more places for Singaporeans at SUTD, SIT next year

2011-10-19T16:07:00.001+08:00

--The Straits Times, 19 October 2011--

The new university places - at SUTD and SIT - are part of the 2,000 additional ones Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said would be created for Singaporeans by 2015. Above, National University of Singapore students at their graduation ceremony in July. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

There will be 1,000 more university places for Singaporeans next year.

The extra places will be at two institutions: the new Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), which is due to take in its first students in April, and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), which will tie up with overseas universities to produce new programmes.

In announcing the increase on Tuesday, Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong said it was a step towards meeting 'the rising aspirations of young Singaporeans, especially polytechnic upgraders seeking a degree'.

It also fulfils part of the 2,000 additional university places Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said would be created for Singaporeans by 2015.

Mr Lee made the pledge in his National Day Rally speech this year, saying it will allow 30 per cent of Singaporeans from each cohort to attend university, up from the current 25 per cent.

Mr Wong also promised to invest more in polytechnics and new Institute of Technical Education (ITE) colleges.

He noted the success of these institutions in producing entrepreneurs.

Said Mr Wong: 'There are many good students who prefer a hands-on, practice-based environment. These students recognise that a degree is not the only route to achieving one's dreams.'

ELGIN TOH

SMU, SUTD to cooperate in course, student development

2011-10-17T22:37:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 17 October 2011--

File photo of SMU students. SUTD and SMU have signed a memorandum of understanding which creates a framework for collaboration in education, research, and student and faculty exchanges. -- BH PHOTO: TUKIMAN WARJI

By Leow Si Wan

In a landmark agreement between two autonomous universities here, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and the Singapore Management University (SMU) have signed a memorandum of understanding which creates a framework for collaboration in education, research, and student and faculty exchanges.

Hailing the collaboration as an important milestone for the tertiary sector, Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong said: 'This institutional collaboration between the SUTD and the SMU shows that our universities not only compete to spur one another towards excellence, but also work together to complement each other's strengths.

'Initiatives such as this ultimately benefit Singaporean students by widening the range and quality of offerings in our university system.'

The collaboration will permit the two universities to complement each other's strengths and bring together activities in technology, design and management to create novel opportunities for students, and to address some of the world's most significant research challenges. The areas of cooperation will include course development, collaborative teaching and research, student exchanges and joint participation in co-curricular activities.

The agreement also facilitates the co-development between the SUTD and the SMU of five elective courses in management as well as allow students from both universities to attend elective courses at the partner university. High-achieving SUTD students will have the opportunity to be considered for advanced placement in the Master in Management and Master of Science in Innovation programmes at the SMU.

Both programmes are specifically designed for students with minimal business backgrounds in their undergraduate education.

SMU, SUTD sign MOU on education and research

2011-10-17T22:35:00.001+08:00

--CNA, 17 October 2011--

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will collaborate in education, research as well as student and faculty exchange.

A memorandum of understanding formalising the collaboration was signed on Monday.

The agreement will facilitate the co-development of five elective courses in management as well as allow students from both universities to attend elective courses at the partner university.

High-achieving SUTD students will have the opportunity to be considered for advanced placement in the Master in Management (MIM) and Master of Science in Innovation (MI) programmes at SMU.

Both programmes are designed for students with minimal business backgrounds in their undergraduate education. The MIM programme introduces students to the field of management and business studies and equips them with the conceptual, professional and interpersonal skills for managerial effectiveness.

The MI programme is designed to teach anyone to be an innovator in his or her field.

The universities will also be sharing pedagogy and exploring curriculum spin-offs that may lead to new collaborative research projects.

Lawrence Wong, Minister of State for Education, said: "There is a lot of scope for collaboration to complement one another's strengths. Because the way education is going, and the way for business or engineering, it's not just looking at this within your own traditional, vertical, academic silos, but it's also trying to get more multi-disciplinary exposure to broaden your skill sets."

-CNA/ac

Learn by doing in specialised schools

2011-10-14T12:11:00.000+08:00

--My Paper, 14 Oct 2011--

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is looking at integrating the curriculum of two new specialised schools - meant for Normal (Technical) students - with that of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) colleges.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday that work on this is "in progress and we will announce details of how the schools will be structured in the coming months, probably by the end of the year".

Earlier reports said the two schools, which open in 2013, will offer a four-year customised programme.

Mr Heng said the schools' curriculum will have a "whole school" approach, to cater to students who are "experiential learners" - people who learn better by doing.

Speaking to reporters after visiting ITE College East in Simei, he added that these new pathways are necessary as students have different interests and ways of learning.

This is in line with the MOE's addendum to the President's address released yesterday, in which the ministry plans to "invest more to better cater to the strengths and interests of each child, and to allow every child to find his or her own path to success".

As over 90 per cent of secondary students go on to post-secondary education, Mr Heng said MOE will look at how to integrate the transition between secondary education and that provided by the ITEs, polytechnics and junior colleges.

The ministry will be conducting a review on junior colleges as part of this approach, and work on it is "at a preliminary stage".

The ministry will also look at how post-secondary schools can prepare students for the working world.

This is important because, as the economy evolves, new jobs will be created and students will need "deep skills" to keep up with the changes and be successful, he said.

Cloud Round-Up

2011-10-12T01:24:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 12 Oct 2011--
Poly students get familiar with cloud

(From left): Mr Loh Ching Soo, general manager of NetApp Singapore; Mr Yaj Malik, area vice-president of Citrix Asean; Mr Irving Tan, managing director of Cisco Asia South; Mr Tan Hang Cheong, principal of Singapore Polytechnic. -- PHOTO COURTESY OF SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC

Singapore Polytechnic students are getting their hands on cloud computing technology to learn how to use it.

A new computing data centre there allows students and teaching staff of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering to access computing resources for their projects and research work any time, anywhere through the Internet.

Networking giant Cisco, virtualisation software provider Citrix Systems and storage firm NetApp helped the polytechnic to set up its cloud centre, called SPE3C3.

The polytechnic wants to develop graduates who are 'truly work-ready in the cloud era', said its principal, Mr Tan Hang Cheong.

It joins other educational organisations such as the National Institute of Education, which set up a cloud data centre in August for its 460 lecturers to use for research projects.

With the cloud computing centre, the polytechnic will be able to offer two new courses, Data Centre Management and System Virtualisation, in the next academic year starting in April.

The poly will train third-year students working towards a Diploma in Computer Engineering. They will learn how to set up, manage and support data centres, do data recovery and use virtualisation technology.

Virtualisation software is used to pool computing resources so that one computer can be shared by many users, thereby maximising its use.

From one computer, several virtual machines can be created such that each user can have his own virtual machine running its own operating system and applications.

The data centre is configured to power 400 virtual machines for students to use.

Government calls cloud tender

The tender for the Singapore Government's central cloud computing services was issued on Monday.

The services are for the use of ministries, statutory boards and government agencies.

It was in June when the eGov2015 IT masterplan was launched and the Government announced its intention to set up what has become known as G-Cloud for short.

It will use cloud computing to lower costs of hardware and software, which will be standardised and shared among users.

Details of the tender are on GeBiz, the Government's one-stop electronic procurement portal. The tender closes on Dec 1.

Compiled by Hellen Tan

Reputation not tarnished despite fraud, says NUS

2011-10-10T23:50:00.001+08:00

--CNA, 10 October 2011--

SINGAPORE: The National University of Singapore (NUS) believes its reputation will not be tarnished by suspicions that a former academic had fabricated research data.

It was recently reported that a scientific paper authored by Dr Alirio Melendez and his collaborators was retracted after major conclusions in the paper could not be supported by the data presented.

In a statement, the university's deputy president of research and technology, Professor Barry Halliwell, said "almost all, if not all" world-leading universities have experienced cases like this.

"Although we are sad that this has happened at NUS, we feel that the reputation of NUS will not be seriously damaged since we have handled the case according to best international practice," Prof Halliwell said.

He said this was done through investigation leading to public acknowledgement that the data is unreliable.

One of Dr Melendez's paper was published in the journal "Nature Immunology" on February 27.

In another incident, two figures cited in another paper, also authored by Dr Melendez and his collaborators, were replaced.

Prof Halliwell said the university will continue to use its Code and Procedures on Research Integrity to guide its research community.

Responding to an email query from Channel NewsAsia, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Vice President Professor Stephen Smith said the university has not had any cases of research fraud to date.

However, Prof Smith added that NTU has a "zero tolerance policy" for research fraud and will take disciplinary action against individuals guilty of research misconduct.

Last July, NTU also organised and hosted the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity, which resulted in a document called the "Singapore Statement", which sets out basic principles that can be used as a standard for research integrity throughout the world.

A spokesperson from the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) said it has a general ethics education programme to promote greater awareness of research integrity and ethics issues among its researchers.

The spokesperson said A*STAR also has a Code of Practice and Procedure related to research integrity that it expects all researchers to comply with.

-CNA/ac

More degree holders pursuing second degree

2011-10-10T15:18:00.000+08:00

--CNA, 10 October 2011--
By Sharon See

SINGAPORE: More degree holders in Singapore are returning to school to pursue a second degree.

This is according to latest statistics from the SIM University (UniSIM) which shows the figure balloon from just three people to 52 within five years.

Thirty-five-year-old Jap Ren Fang graduated with a degree in business from Nanyang Technological University in 1998 and is now working as an administrative manager at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.

But four years ago, she decided to pursue her second degree in psychology purely out of personal interest.

Ms Jap said: "It's not really related to what I'm doing right now so I don't intend to use it as a ticket to a higher promotion or a pay raise kind of thing. It's more of a self-actualisation kind of pursuit that I'm going for.

"I'm pretty grateful that I actually met a group of friends who are interested in psychology, and we still keep in touch and have gatherings. We even form an informal social group where we even went to IMH for visits."

For others, obtaining a second degree can be a ticket to a career change.

Twenty-nine-year-old materials engineering graduate Kang Lifang unexpectedly discovered her new passion for translation while working in New Zealand.

Over there, a colleague asked for her help to translate a Chinese website into English.

She said: "When I was doing it, I realised that even though I know both languages, I couldn't really do it very well and thought that maybe I should do something about it.

After returning to Singapore, she signed up for a degree in translation and interpretation with the ideal of switching careers and doing something different.

"I thought it would be better to start from the basic rather than skip to the masters because I didn't really have basic training in translation and interpretation. If you have a masters, it would definitely stand out more than two basic degrees. But I guess for personal growth, I think it's a worthwhile investment.

"Being trained in translation will actually help you to spot things that untrained people can't really see, so I guess it helps to be trained in it. And if you're untrained and you go into it, of course you can do it well, but I suppose it will take more time for you to figure out how to really do it properly."

The two are among the 52 degree holders who got their second degrees at UniSIM's sixth convocation ceremony.

Just five years ago, there were only three people getting second degrees at UniSIM.

The numbers has been increasing over the last five years. There were three in 2006, 12 in 2007, 19 in 2008, 43 in 2009, 42 in 2010 and 52 in 2011.

The university said the number of current degree holders applying for courses at UniSIM has also gone up.

In 2007, there were 121 such applicants, which took up 3.5 per cent of total applications.

But in 2011, the number rose to 339, or 6.4 per cent of total applications.

UniSIM president, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, said: "What I see is that they come mostly for two reasons. One is to change to something else for another kind of job or career. The second one is to do something that they like and love to do.

"In the first case, where they want to change profession, it's very useful because only when you get a degree in that profession, then will you have recognition and be able to practise. But as far as the second type is concerned, where they're doing it for the love of the discipline, I think it's useful in the sense that it gives the person a fresh meaning in what they're doing."

Among such students, psychology, counselling and language courses are most popular.

While time management remains the greatest challenge whether one is taking a first or second degree, the university said those taking a second degree may need a mindset shift as well.

Prof Cheong said: "First of all, you may have to unlearn quite a bit of the things you've learnt in your first degree or the things you've learnt at work. Secondly, you may think that there are certain things that you already know from your first degree and yet you're having to do it again. That causes you to be less enthusiastic about those courses. That will actually cause a person not to learn because... principles or conditions may have changed and you do need to relearn.

"But if you come with the idea that 'I've already done that for my first degree, I've already done some things in that area, therefore, why am I wanting to do this?' Then I'm afraid that the person may not learn and pick up as quickly or as much. That is something that the person himself has to handle.

But once that is overcome, there is no stopping them from tackling their second degrees.

Prof Cheong said: "With a change of career, you need a second degree of a different type. With a degree that you want to go in to enjoy, that's the advantage by itself. There's no disadvantage in that sense.

- CNA/fa

NUS slips, NTU edges up in ranking of 400

2011-10-07T15:25:00.001+08:00

--TODAY, 7 October 2011--

SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) - Singapore's top-ranked university - has slipped six places in the latest ranking of 400 universities released by the London-based Times Higher Education (THE).

NUS now ranks 40th on the list, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) climbed five places to reach 169th place this year.

The top spot went to the California Institute of Technology for the first time, while Harvard University shared the No 2 spot with Stanford University.

Japan's University of Tokyo, was the top institute in Asia, at No 30. Seven of the top 10 universities are American, with the remaining three from the UK.

In a statement to the media, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Tan Eng Chye noted that there has been a change in the methodology of the rankings and NUS "(needs) more time to understand the new parameters".

"NUS has retained its place amongst the top 50 universities in the world this year, and we are indeed pleased with the continued international recognition for NUS' top quality transformative education and our high impact research," said Prof Tan.

THE had parted ways with another global rankings group, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and linked up with Thomson Reuters to compile its own rankings from 2010 onwards. Under the QS ranking, NUS advanced three spots to 28th place this year.

NTU President Bertil Andersson said NTU's move up the THE rankings is "indicative of NTU's upward trajectory", but noted that THE "may take time to stabilise its methodologies".

Adding that NTU climbed 16 places to rank 58th in this year's QS World University Rankings, Prof Andersson said the two ranking systems have "entirely different" methodologies and metrics so the results from both cannot be compared.

Within Asia, NUS ranked third best under the THE rankings, while NTU came in 18th.

MOE may allow private universities to have public funded programmes

2011-10-06T21:29:00.000+08:00

--CNA, 06 October 2011--

By Nurul Syuhaida

SINGAPORE: The Committee on University Education Pathways is considering allowing private institutions to have public funded programmes.

Speaking at the SIM University Convocation on Thursday, chairman of the committee, Minister of State Lawrence Wong said it is one option committee members are looking at in expanding the university sector.

Other options include leveraging on private institutions to increase university places and focusing more on adult learners and in-employment training.

The committee, which is looking at university education pathways beyond 2015, was first flagged by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech.

Mr Wong said a key principle guiding the committee is to maintain the quality of university education, even as the sector expands.

He is confident there will be enough jobs for the students after they graduate.

The committee will also keep university education affordable and encourage universities to develop niches of excellence.

Mr Wong said it will not be wise to have an education system that focuses on the university track only.

"Some countries have taken this approach by converting their polytechnics into universities. But after graduating and getting a degree, they find that it is not so easy to find a job. This is an important lesson for us. As we expand the university sector, we must continue to invest and maintain high standards in our polytechnics and ITE," he said.

- CNA/fa

NUS: We're sorry for this fiasco

2011-10-06T13:41:00.000+08:00

--The New Paper, 06 October 2011--

By Santokh Singh, Najib Siddik and Alvin Lim

More than 700 students from the National University of Singapore's Business School showed up on Saturday for an examination that never was.

In what some students have described as a major embarrassment, the mid-year exam paper had to be cancelled on the spot.

The Managerial Economics paper, scheduled for 2pm at the university's Multi-Purpose Sports Hall 1, could not proceed when it was discovered that more than 200 exam scripts had gone missing.

Some students said they were told yesterday that the exam may have been compromised, and some scripts which were already distributed had gone missing.

Some students are now unhappy with the manner in which the final score will now be tabulated.

As the exam, which would have carried 30 per cent of the total score, was cancelled, students were told that the marks would be redistributed to other parts of the paper.

Assignments and presentations, which were to carry 15 per cent each, will now be worth 25 per cent each, and the final examination will be scored at 50 per cent instead of the original 40 per cent.

Some students of the "breadth module", which means that it can also be taken by students from other faculties, spoke to The New Paper yesterday on condition of anonymity.

A student, upset by how the situation was handled, said: "We were first told that the examination was postponed by an hour and told to report back.

"But 15 minutes after most of the students left, there was an announcement that the examination was actually cancelled.

"You could see students frantically calling their friends to inform them of the change. It certainly could have been better handled."

Another student, who is not from the NUS Business School, said that she was shocked to find out about the shortage of scripts.

"It is an embarrassment for NUS - that a world-class university cannot organise an examination properly," she said.

She also felt the security at the exam hall was lax. Students coming in for a paper were allegedly mingling with those who had just finished theirs and were leaving.

"So when I heard from a friend today that the papers could have been stolen, I was not surprised."

Students also told The New Paper that they were informed by a lecturer yesterday that after the shortfall of more than 200 scripts was discovered, the students were told to wait outside the exam hall. But in the process, some managed to enter the hall and later, some scripts were found missing.

Shortage

Responding to queries by The New Paper, the university said the problem was a shortage of papers.

Its spokesman said in an e-mail that 750 copies of the exam paper were printed for a class of 725.

He said: "It was discovered at about 2pm that there was a shortage of 200 scripts. The lecturer in charge discussed with fellow colleagues on duty that day on the various available options.

"There was insufficient time to make additional copies as another test had been scheduled in the same hall immediately after the stated test.

"The lecturer in charge, a professional in the banking industry, then made the "difficult decision of cancelling the test".

The spokesman added: "The lecturer in charge then made the announcement to the students, took responsibility and apologised for the human error made, and followed up with an explanation e-mail to all affected students."

In the e-mail, the lecturer, who signed off as Sanjeev, said: "As a coordinator of this module, and on behalf of the entire team, I am really sorry for today's fiasco.

"We fell short in the number of printed papers we had and we could not find a way to make this work.

"After taking into all the possibilities and the fact that trying to match the schedule of 700+ students in the last moment is not very easy, we have decided to HAVE NO MIDTERM EXAM AT ALL for this module.

"The new breakup of the overall grade is as follows: Assignments: 25 per cent, Presentation: 25 per cent and Final Exam: 50 per cent.

"I am also posting the Midterm exam in IVLE so that you all can use this as another practice paper and also discuss it during the tutorials next week.

"I am aware that this has caused inconvenience to a lot of you, the only thing I can assure is that the situation was completely unintended and has been a very painful experience for the entire team."

The new configuration of marks, however, did not go down well with some students.

Said one: "While I accept that we should take all our assignments and presentations seriously, it is only human that we do not spend all our energies on something that is worth only 15 per cent, especially when we also have other modules to worry about.

"So not all of us may have scored as much as we would have liked then, and to raise it to 25 per cent each now may not be fair."

Added another student: "Why make us study and prepare for an examination, only to cancel it at the last minute and then tell us to practise it online?

"I do not see the point in that, not when it does not count for anything."

A lecturer from another faculty in NUS, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the module workload and assessment criteria is like a "contract made between the course instructor and the students".

This information, including others such as modular credits and other remarks, is spelled out openly to students even before they register for a module, he said.

"When students sign up for a module, they would look out for descriptions of the module and check if the module is examinable.

"To change the assessment criteria halfway through the course would surely affect the students' performance and transcript."

The lecturer advised the students to provide constructive feedback to their course lecturer and head of department.

He said: "Students have legitimate grounds to voice out to the university, but they should always remember to follow strictly to the protocol when doing so."

Not all students were disturbed by Saturday's events.

Said Engineering Faculty student Noel See, 21: "I was quite prepared and probably would have done quite well, but I was just as relieved that there was no paper to do.

"I was actually quite busy this week and need to focus more on my foundational Maths module, and the extra time on Saturday helped.

"It is just weightage and not the content that was compromised, so it's not a big deal for me. If anyone is badly affected by it, it would probably be the Business students."

Having said that, he added: "The 10 per cent difference for the assignments and presentation would make a difference in the final grade."

His other bugbear: About half the cohort has completed their group presentations while the others have yet to do them. So it is a 15 per cent effort versus a 25 per cent one.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

NUS down 6 spots in university rankings by London-based magazine

2011-10-06T13:37:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 06 Oct 2011--

By Lin Zhaowei

Singapore's top-ranked university has slid down the table in the latest university ranking by London-based Times Higher Education magazine.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) dropped to 40th place, its lowest position since the rankings started in 2004. This was six places down from last year's 34th placing.

The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) climbed five places to reach 169th place this year. For the first time, the California Institute of Technology took top spot, with Harvard University sharing the No. 2 spot with Stanford University.

Japan's University of Tokyo, at No. 30, was the top institute in Asia. For the full rankings, please visit http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/.

MOE encourages more diversity in university sector

2011-10-06T13:35:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 06 October 2011--

By Sandra Davie
Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong (left) - called for a more varied university sector on Thursday morning. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

The Education Ministry - which opened up more pathways and choices in the school system - now wants to encourage more diversity in the university sector to meet the different aspirations of Singaporeans in higher education.

Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong - who called for a more varied university sector on Thursday morning - said this will allow each university to develop niches of excellence based on its individual strengths and traditions.

But at the same time, they will also meet the wider spectrum of educational needs and abilities of the increasing number of Singaporeans heading to university.

Mr Wong - who heads the MOE panel set up to look into providing Singaporeans with more university places and pathways - was speaking at the annual graduation ceremony of SIM University, the university for working adults.

Not wise to focus only on university track, minister says

2011-10-06T13:33:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 06 October 2011--

by Tan Weizhen

SINGAPORE - In chairing a new committee to study different pathways to university education, Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong said several key principles have been identified.

Speaking at the UniSIM convocation ceremony this morning, he said that diversity and healthy competition should be encouraged in the expanded university sector. He said it is not 'realistic' to expect all universities here to excel in teaching every discipline.

Mr Wong also acknowledged that not every student is suited to an academically-intensive learning environment. Some would prefer the more 'practice-based' polytechnic route.

"After the diploma, they can still consider the university option later, or they can work first and then get their degrees later...there are advantages to doing this. After working for some time, you gain a better sense of where your talents and passions really lie."

He also said it is not wise to have an education system that focuses only on the university track, citing countries where youth graduate unemployment is a big problem.

Mr Wong also identified some questions that remain for the committee. This includes whether a new university should be set up, and whether existing publicly-funded institutions should be expanded.

NUS students upset over exam cancellation

2011-10-05T22:42:00.000+08:00

--The New Paper, 5 October 2011--

SINGAPORE - More than 700 National University of Singapore (NUS) students were left angry and frustrated on Saturday, after their economics examination was cancelled on the day of the paper.

The reason? The university had not printed enough exam papers.

Students could not sit for the Managerial Economics paper at 2pm, after it was found that more than 200 exam scripts were missing.

Students whom The New Paper spoke to yesterday said they were also told the exam paper may have been compromised, after scripts that had already been distributed also went missing.

They had been told to leave the hall after the shortfall was discovered, but in the process, some students still managed to get into the hall.

Unhappy

Many were also unhappy that the weightage of 30 per cent which the exam carried would now be redistributed to other parts of the module, which is offered by the NUS Business School.

Assignments and presentations, which were to carry 15 per cent each, will now be worth 25 per cent each. And the final examination will be scored at 50 per cent instead of 40 per cent.

Some felt they would have done better in the paper and are now disadvantaged. They also expressed indignance at having to pay for the university's mistake.

One student interviewed expressed shock at the gaffe one would not expect from a "world-class university".

Another student, who was also willing to speak to The New Paper only on condition of anonymity, said the situation could have been better-handled.

She said students were initially told that the exam would be postponed for an hour.

But 15 minutes after most of the students had left the hall, an announcement was made to tell them that the exam was cancelled.

Those who heard the message were "frantically calling their friends to inform them of the change", she said.

An official apology was sent out to all affected students later that day, but some students were still upset that their time spent studying for the paper had gone to waste.

Module coordinator made 'difficult decision' to cancel test

According to a university spokesperson, the shortfall of papers was the reason the exam was cancelled, after it was discovered at 2pm.

There was no time to print the extra 200 copies required, as another exam was scheduled in the same hall right after the paper.

The lecturer in charge then made the "difficult decision" of cancelling the test after discussing with his colleagues on duty.

According to the spokesperson, the lecturer "took responsibility and apologised for the human error made, and followed up with an explanation email to all affected students".

In an email to students, the coordinated, who signed off as Sajeev, apologsed for the 'fiasco':

"As a coordinator of this module, and on behalf of the entire team, I am really sorry for today’s fiasco.

“We fell short in the number of printed papers we had and we could not find a way to make this work.

“After taking into all the possibilities and the fact that trying to match the schedule of 700+ students in the last moment is not very easy, we have decided to have no midterm at all for this module.

“The new breakup of the overall grade is as follows: Assignments: 25 per cent, Presentation: 25 per cent and Final Exam: 50 per cent.

“I am also posting the Midterm exam in IVLE so that you all can use this as another practice paper and also discuss it during the tutorials next week.

“I am aware that this has caused inconvenience to a lot of you, the only thing I can assure is that the situation was completely unintended and has been a very painful experience for the entire team.”

Not appeased

But not all are appeased by the apology.

In an email to citizen journalism site, Stomp, one reader expressed frustration at how the situation was managed.

Describing how the news of the cancellation first broke, the reader, Ginger Bread, said: "As 2pm approached, students started shuffling into the hall, but all of a sudden they started turning around and exited the hall."

"News spread like wildfire - they were being told that there wasn’t enough test papers and the exam was being pushed back to 2.45pm as the staff had to go back to their department to print more."

Most students continued revising, while some went for lunch, said Ginger Bread. But at 2.35pm, they were told the paper would be postponed to another day, causing students to once again make frantic calls to their friends.

"Some rejoiced, while many were severely disappointed having travelled from all across Singapore on a Saturday afternoon to take the paper and then being told to go home after waiting," said the reader.

"The same night, an email was sent out to all the students (saying that the exam would be cancelled altogether).

The Stomp reader questioned if things could have been handled better, and asked for "an improvement" in top-down management befitting that of a well-ranked university.

Update:

Most students the Straits Times spoke to were suprised by the cancellation, but accepted the school's decision.

One student said cancelling the mid-term exam may be the best solution under the circumstances.

Rescheduling the mid-term exam might be difficult, as there are 725 students taking the course.

Another said it would create more problems, as students would have to find time to revise for the paper again while juggling other tests and assignments.

An NUS spokesperson said they are working with the business school to conduct a detailed investigation.

candicec@sph.com.sg

NUS Business School exam boo-boo

2011-10-04T16:49:00.004+08:00

--The New Paper, October 4, 2011--
By: Santokh Singh Alvin Lim Najib Siddik

PHOTO: The Straits Times

MORE than 700 students from the National University of Singapore’s Business School showed up on Saturday for an examination that never was.

In what some students have described as a major embarrassment, the mid-year exam paper had to be cancelled on the spot.

The Managerial Economics paper, scheduled for 2pm at the university's Multi-Purpose Sports Hall 1, could not proceed when it was discovered that more than 200 exam scripts had gone missing.

Some students said that they were told yesterday that the scripts may have been stolen from the hall itself.

More in The New Paper on Tuesday (Oct 4).

--------------------------------------------

Some 700 National University of Singapore (NUS) first-year undergraduates received a rude shock on Saturday in the exam hall.

They were told on the spot that the paper on managerial economics, which they were about to sit for, was cancelled as not enough question papers were printed.

An NUS spokesperson said the mess-up was due to a "human error", reported Today.

He added that the university is investigating the matter "to strengthen the processes to prevent this from happening again".

If things had gone as planned, there would have been 750 exam scripts printed for a class of 725, who were sitting for the mid-year test for the module "BSP 1005 Managerial Economics".

The lecturer-in-charge of the exam, who works in the banking industry, who was taking another class in the morning, only discovered at "about 2pm", the time of the exam, that they were short of 200 scripts, the spokesperson said.

"The lecturer-in-charge discussed with fellow colleagues on duty that day on the various available options. There was insufficient time to make additional copies as another test had been schedule in the same hall immediately after the state test.

"After considering all options, the lecturer-in-charge made the difficult decision of cancelling the test. The lecturer-in-charge then made the announcement to the students, took responsibility and apologised for the human error made, and followed up with an explanation email to all affected students," the spokesperson explained.

The mid-year test carries 30 per cent of the students' grades for the module. They will now be assessed based on other assignments.

A copy of the email was obtained by the same paper, in which the course coordinator said, "On behalf of the entire team, I am really sorry for today's fiasco. We fell short in the number of printed papers we had and we could not find a way to make this work."

The coordinator added that the situation was "completely unintended", and that the question paper will be made available to students who want to practice the questions and for discussion in tutorial classes.

An NUS undergraduate, who only wanted to be known as Tan, said, "I feel very frustrated and annoyed because I studied so hard for it and it got cancelled at the last minute.

"I'm also annoyed at how they called us down on a Saturday and did not send (us) the information in a professional manner."

Students can apply to SUTD from Oct 1

2011-09-30T13:31:00.002+08:00

--The Straits Times, 30 September 2011--
4th uni to establish LKY innovative cities centre

By Lin Zhaowei
THE upcoming Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will be offering places to A-level students on a provisional basis, based on their preliminary examination results.

The provisional offers will then be confirmed after the A-level results are released in March.

This will match the university's academic calendar, which starts every April, it said yesterday, in announcing its admissions policy.

SUTD will be the earliest to start its regular admissions exercise among the four publicly funded universities here.

Currently, A-level students generally apply to the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University only after their results are released in early March.

SUTD will start its academic year in April - unlike the other three universities which start in August - for a few reasons.

First, this will align the academic calendar with that of its partner institutions, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Zhejiang University, so that their curriculum time will overlap and allow for exchanges and collaborations.

Second, a degree at SUTD takes 3 1/2 years to complete. As this means its undergraduates would finish in August, it would allow them to transition seamlessly to graduate programmes, which start around that time, if they choose to do so.

Third, it would allow female students receiving their A-level results to start university almost right away, instead of waiting until August.

Male students usually start their national service after their A levels.

SUTD will take in its first cohort of 500 undergraduates in April next year. About 200 places have already been taken up. Students interested in joining the inaugural intake can start sending in their applications from tomorrow till Dec 31.

There is a second round of applications for those who miss out on the provisional admissions. They may apply within two weeks of the release of their A-level results next year.

The university offers four degree programmes: architecture and sustainable design; engineering product development; engineering systems and design; and information systems technology and design.

Those studying in the polytechnics, NUS High School or under the International Baccalaureate programme may also apply for provisional admission.

Meanwhile, SUTD also announced the establishment of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities yesterday. It will be one of the first university centres in Asia to focus on the integrated use of technology and design to derive solutions for urban development and management.

SUTD president Thomas Magnanti said that naming the centre after former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew would inspire students and faculty to create innovative solutions to urban challenges.

'I would say in some ways... he is the most effective and well-known systems architect of cities in the world over this period of time,' Prof Magnanti said.

Professor Chan Heng Chee, Singapore Ambassador to the United States, and Mr Peter Ho, senior adviser to the Centre for Strategic Futures, a planning unit within the civil service, have been appointed as advisers to the centre.

SUTD is holding its first open house tomorrow and on Sunday. Visit www.sutd.edu.sg for more details on the programme.

zhaowei@sph.com.sg

New university to use JC grades for provisional admission

2011-09-30T13:27:00.000+08:00

--AsiaOne, 30 September 2011--

By Sarah Chang

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will admit students on a provisional basis using their junior- college preliminary results - a first for a university here.

Permanent places will be confirmed only after the students receive their actual A-level results in March next year.

SUTD president Thomas Magnanti said yesterday that the provisional-admission exercise was decided on partly for practical reasons.

As the academic term begins earlier for SUTD in April, the exercise gives the school more time to find high-quality prospective students, Professor Magnanti said.

Other local universities such as the Nanyang Technological University begin their semesters only in August.

Beginning their courses earlier also means "a more effective use of (students') time", he said.

Those who do not do well in the actual examinations will have their admission reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

While results do matter, Prof Magnanti said that admission will also depend on a 500-word essay students have to submit. Junior-college students can start applying from tomorrow.

Prof Magnanti yesterday also launched the Lee Kuan Yew Centre of Innovative Cities, which will focus on research in urban design and planning.

SUTD introduces new entry criterion

2011-09-29T13:29:00.001+08:00

--CNA, 29 September 2011--

By Sharon See

SINGAPORE: Singapore's fourth university, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), will be making provisional offers from next month, to GCE 'A' Level students based on their preliminary results.

This is the first time a local university is doing so.

The provisional offers would then be converted to firm offers based on their actual 'A' level results, which would likely be released in early March.

The university said this initiative is to match its academic calendar which begins in April.

SUTD president Thomas Magnanti said: "Because 'A' level exams are highly correlated to preliminary exams, we think the preliminary exams, plus a holistic approach to admissions of interviews, essays, student recommendations, we can make very good decisions now. We don't have to wait until March to make those decisions."

Those who do not apply for admission using their preliminary results can still do so once they get their 'A' level results.

The university hopes to take in about 500 students, of whom some 200 have been admitted.

The first batch of students will begin classes in April next year.

The university is also setting up a research centre -- called the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities -- to focus on solutions for urban development by using technology and design.

The university said the centre is named after Singapore's founding father to honour his vision in building Singapore into a world-class city.

SUTD is holding its first open house at its Dover campus from 1 to 2 October.

-CNA/wk

S'pore University of Technology & Design Open House on weekend

2011-09-29T13:25:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 29 September 2011--

By Lin Zhaowei

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) announced the establishment of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities on Thursday morning.

The centre will be one of the first university centres in Asia to focus on the integrated use of technology and design to derive solutions for urban development and management. Through research and teaching, the centre will educate leaders and develop products, services and systems, to improve the lives of city-dwellers.

SUTD also announced that it will be making provisional offers to A levels students based on their preliminary results, as part of a two-stage admissions exercise. Those interested in the inaugural April 2012 intake can start sending in their applications starting Saturday.

Those studying in the polytechnics, NUS High School or under the International Baccalaureate programme may also apply for provisional admission. To showcase its unique teaching methods, the university is holding its first Open House on Saturday and Sunday. More details: http://www.sutd.edu.sg

Ranking drops but 'NTU life sciences improved'

2011-09-20T17:07:00.002+08:00

--TODAY, 20 September 2011--

by Ng Jing Yng

SINGAPORE - The sharp fall in an international ranking of Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) life sciences faculty over the last two years has prompted concerned undergraduates to request a meeting with the faculty head, which will be held tomorrow.

While NTU jumped 16 places to 58th in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings released earlier this month, its life sciences faculty came in at 179th position among life sciences and medicine faculties around the world. In comparison, the National University of Singapore's (NUS) life sciences faculty was ranked 12th this year.

In 2009, NTU's life sciences faculty was ranked 89th. Last year, it fell to 174th place before dropping another five places in this year's rankings.

Speaking to Today, Professor Mark Featherstone - who was appointed as chair of NTU's School of Biological Sciences last month - explained that the dip was attributed to the fact that, since last year, QS surveyed a larger pool of academics for its rankings.

He said: "If it so happened that there was a big increase in the number of faculties surveyed in a year, and if it was in an area of the world where not many know us well, there would be more faculties responding but fewer who know us."

QS was unable to respond to Today's queries by press time. Apart from rankings based on its survey of faculties around the world, QS introduced subject rankings this year, which rely on a "more sophisticated approach", according to its website.

For the subject rankings, the universities were ranked in bands. In the biological sciences category, NTU was in the 151st to 200th band - along with well known institutes such as Technion (also known as the Israel Institute of Technology), Prof Featherstone pointed out.

He reiterated that NTU's School of Biological Sciences has "actually improved". He said: "For faculty rankings, (QS) only solicits the opinions of faculty members around the world ... (QS) pointed out that faculty rankings are based on a single criterion whereas the subject rankings are dependent on multiple criteria and are therefore more sophisticated."

On suggestions that the NTU's life sciences faculty paled in comparison to its peers in terms of citations, Prof Featherstone also stressed that the school is only a decade old and it has young faculty members who are starting out on their careers.

In contrast, the NUS department of biological sciences has a much longer history and the university has a renowned medical school, which influences its life sciences faculty rankings, Prof Featherstone pointed out.

He was confident that the opening of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in NTU in 2013 will "significantly influence" the ranking of the university's life sciences faculty.

Prof Featherstone said that there will be close collaborations with the new medical school in areas such as neuroscience and immunology.

Come tomorrow, Prof Featherstone will be conveying these points to final year students in NTU's School of Biological Sciences, as he seeks to allay their concerns over the fall in rankings.

NUS opens school of public health

2011-09-20T11:16:00.002+08:00

--MyPaper, 20 September 2011--

By Gwendolyn Ng

A NEW school focused on research and education to raise the population's health standards was launched by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong yesterday.

The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, set up by the National University of Singapore (NUS), will prepare health practitioners for emerging challenges such as lifestyle-related diseases and the threat of infectious diseases.

At National University Health System Tower Block in Kent Ridge, Mr Gan said the Ministry of Health (MOH) will tap on the school's expertise to evaluate health-care programmes and policies.

He said: "It has a role in identifying and assessing good health-care policies which are undergirded by a sound financing system.

"International best practices in health-care services and systems should be reviewed, and solutions shared to address problems we face locally and regionally."

The school will occupy part of a new building on campus which is expected to be ready by 2014.

The full-fledged school is an expansion of the existing Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

It will be officially established on Oct 1.

NUS president Tan Chorh Chuan said: "While the department has consistently done excellent work, it lacks the scale and resources relative to the size and complexity of public- health issues, to make the impact that we desire."

Professor Chia Kee Seng, the new school's dean-designate, said: "The department has been traditionally strong in looking at the causes of diseases."

He added: "In the school of public health, we want to move beyond the causes of diseases and more into the areas of prevention in terms of programme and policy."

Over 1,000 medical undergraduates will take modules under the school each year.

The school intends to expand its annual intake for its Masters in Public Health programme from about 20 students currently to about 50, and academic full-time staff strength will also be increased from the current 20 to about 50 to 60 staff members over the next five years.

To better understand the population's perception of health matters and help predict responses to policies and programmes, the school will continually monitor about 50,000 Singaporeans, aged 21 to 60.

It will look at factors such as lifestyle, diet preferences and attitudes towards health issues.

This will be conducted via questionnaires, interviews, health checks and laboratory tests.

The school is named after Professor Saw Swee Hock for his philanthropic contributions and long-standing service to NUS.

Prof Saw had made a donation of $30 million to the school.

He is a President's Honorary Professor of Statistics at the NUS Department of Statistics and Applied Probability.

nggwen@sph.com.sg

Higher starting pay for fresh grads

2011-09-15T18:08:00.002+08:00

--TODAY, 15 Sep 2011--
Average starting salary of about S$2,600, expected to increase to S$2,700 next year: Survey

SINGAPORE - Salaries for fresh graduates are showing an upward trend this year.

The Fresh Graduate Pay Survey by global management consultancy, the Hay Group, says engineering jobs are still in demand and fresh engineering graduates can expect to earn about S$2,745 a month. This is slightly higher than starting salaries for jobs in the legal (S$2,738) and production (S$2,728) services for fresh graduates.

Conducted in July, the survey drew participation from 100 companies across general industries in Singapore this year.

It showed that the average starting salary for degree holders was around S$2,600 a month, S$60 higher than the average starting pay last year.

Diploma-holders are also expected to fare better this year in the job market.

Their average starting pay was around S$1,800 a month, about S$40 higher than last year.

Design and creative jobs topped the list of hot jobs for diploma holders who can command starting salaries of about S$1,900 monthly.

Despite the global economic slowdown, Mr Victor Chan, regional general manager (Singapore and ASEAN), said organisations here "are still competing for fresh graduate talent". "In the next 12 months, organisations are projecting a healthy forecast with regards to the starting pay for diploma and bachelor graduates, most notably in the legal and health and environment sectors," he added.

The survey showed that employers place a premium of nearly 45 per cent for degree holders over diploma holders in terms of starting salaries.

The premium which employers place on a master's degree over a general degree is less at around 11 per cent.

Mr Chan has this advice: "Rather than merely focusing on pay issues, fresh graduates should embrace career advancement opportunities to showcase a stronger value proposition for prospective employers, bearing in mind the push for productivity and growth in Singapore."

One in four employers surveyed said they pay premiums to male employees who have completed National Service, with the average premium at S$166. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

First batch of 52 pre-school centres awarded certificates

2011-09-12T23:25:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 12 September 2011--

By Jermyn Chow

Fifty-two pre-schools received a thumbs-up from the Education Ministry on Monday, after undergoing a nationwide assessment aimed at raising the standard of Singapore's pre-school education.

These pre-schools excelled in seven areas which included leadership, the use of resources, how staff members are managed and their teaching methods.

They are the first of 500 kindergartens and 800 childcare centres here, to be assessed under the Singapore Pre-School Accreditation framework.

The appraisal, which started in January, is also aimed at helping parents identify good schools.

But this sort of accreditation is not compulsory.

Minister of State (Education) Lawrence Wong, who handed out the three-year certificates on Monday night, noted 87 schools applied since January to be assessed and accredited.

The process, Mr Wong said, provides a 'clearer roadmap' for schools to raise their standards.

'To them, quality is no longer a fuzzy concept which they have to strive for through experimentation or trial and error.'

Muis presents 3 with post-graduate scholarships

2011-09-12T23:23:00.000+08:00

--The Straits Times, 12 September 2011--

By Lin Zhaowei
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) presented three individuals with post-graduate scholarships on Monday afternoon, at a ceremony at Royal Plaza on Scotts.

The Muis Postgraduate Scholarship scheme was set up six years ago to develop a pool of specialists in fields of knowledge that are important to the socio-religious lives of Singaporean Muslims.

The award winners this year are Mr Norshahril Saat, who will pursue a PhD in Islamic thought at Australia National University, Ms Nurhannah Irwan, who will do a masters in gender studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and Ms Nurlaila Khalid, who will do her masters at the National University of Singapore's Malay studies department.

In his speech at the ceremony, Muis president Alami Musa said previous scholarship recipients who have returned to Singapore are already serving the community in various capacities. He cited as examples Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, Singapore's current Mufti, and Ustaz Irwan Hadi Md Shuhaimy, the head of the Office of Mufti.

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim was the guest of honour at the ceremony.

PhD student here went from exam flop to cream of the crop

2011-09-12T23:16:00.003+08:00

--The Straits Times, 12 September 2011--
27-year-old student among small number of polytechnic grads who go on to take PhD

By Amelia Tan

Mr Rashid failed his exams all through primary school, and it was only as his N levels neared that he started studying hard. He later won a place in Nanyang Polytechnic's biotechnology course, and is now researching immunology as a PhD student at Nanyang Technological University. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN

Student Abdul Rashid Mohammad Muzaki knows all about failure.

All through primary school, he flunked his exams. Known for being playful, he would neglect his homework or not pay attention in class.

However, as his N-level exams loomed, it finally dawned on him that he would have no future if he did not get his act together.

Now, the 27-year-old has turned failure into success after joining the small number of polytechnic graduates who reach what is widely considered to be the pinnacle of higher education - a PhD programme. Universities say it is rare for Normal stream students to pull off this feat.

Since 2007, only about 100 graduates who came from polytechnics have gone on to pursue PhD courses at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Mr Rashid, now in his first year there studying biological sciences, is one of them.

His mentor, Associate Professor Ruedl Christiane, said graduates from polytechnics are more technically savvy when carrying out experiments than those from junior colleges. They are also just as able to discuss and critically interpret results.

Back when Mr Rashid was a student in the Normal (Academic) stream at Fuchun Secondary School, few would have predicted that he would get this far.

That was before he finally saw the light and began to knuckle down to his studies.

'I suddenly realised about two months before my N-level exams that if I did not try to do well, I would regret it for the rest of my life,' said Mr Rashid, the eldest of four children.

For the first time in his life, he started studying late into the night.

He also went for tuition classes to improve his score in maths, a subject he had failed since primary school.

His efforts paid off, and he scored a mixture of As and Bs in his N levels. Filled with a new self-confidence, he started thinking about his future.

The son of a technician and a housewife, he had always been interested in science and loved browsing through scientific texts in the library.

After stumbling on a newspaper article about biotechnology projects at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, he found himself eager to pursue a career in scientific research.

Mr Rashid did well in his O-level exams and won a place in the biotechnology course at Nanyang Polytechnic. Eventually, he graduated with a respectable grade point average of 3.3 out of 4.

Determined to complete his higher education, he took up undergraduate studies in biological sciences at NTU, graduating last year with an upper second-class honours degree.

He is now carrying out PhD research in immunology, and hopes to teach and conduct research at a local university or polytechnic in the future.

He said: 'My advice to other students who are not doing well in their studies? Find out what your passion and interests are, and pursue them. You will enjoy yourself when you are doing what you like.'

ameltan@sph.com.sg

工院三年级学生可申请内政团队奖学金

2011-09-11T23:32:00.000+08:00

--LianHe ZaoBao, 11 September 2011--
Graduating Polytechnic students eligible for HOME Study Award

Summary: The Ministry of Home Affairs is giving out HOME Study Award to graduating students from the five local polytechnics, hoping to attract more polytechnic graduates to join the HOME team.

黄伟曼

理工学院学生（左起）陈誉仁、圣安（Shaun Ortega）、阿莫·巴哈扎赫（Muhammad Ahmed Bahajjaj）、黄慧娜、蓝婉馨及吴中胜因成绩优异，昨天获颁内政团队奖学金。他们毕业后将加入内政团队。（陈渊庄摄）

　　为了鼓励更多理工学院学生加入，内政团队在现有的内政团队奖学金（HOME Award）计划下开放多一段申请期，专让理工学院三年级准毕业生申请。

　　该项奖学金于2009年就已设立，目的是为吸引成绩优异的理工学院生加入内政团队，但以往获得该奖学金的学生多数是一或二年级生。

　　内政团队这次为吸引更多只剩一个学期就毕业的三年级生申请该奖学金，除了每年3月至5月开放让学生申请，从11月至12月也将提供额外的申请期让理工学院三年级生申请。

奖学金一万元

　　获颁奖学金的学生可得一万元的一次过奖励金额，让他们支付学费或其他学习费用。

　　总理公署部长兼内政部第二部长及贸工部第二部长易华仁昨天以嘉宾身份出席内政团队奖学金颁奖典礼致词时，宣布了这项消息。

　　易华仁指出，内政团队今年希望招聘1200人，而首8个月新聘了600多人，预计开放多一段申请期能鼓励更多年轻人加入内政团队，短时间内有助于达到今年的招聘目标。

　　这些新聘人员多数将在新加坡警察部队或移民与关卡局服务。

　　在该计划下，获颁发奖学金者将签署四年合约，毕业后加入内政团队。

　　此外，得主若是未服役的男生，毕业后只要在警察部队或民防部队服务五年，就算履行了服役责任。

　　另外，在昨天的颁奖礼上，首批获颁内政团队奖学金计划下的“内政团队勤学奖”（HOME Study Award）的11名理工学院生从易华仁手中接获了奖项。

　　这奖项刚于今年3月推出，内政团队将为获奖者支付全额学费及提供每年2400元的生活津贴。

　　在南洋理工学院修读电子、电脑与传播工程系的二年级生吴中胜（20岁)昨天是唯一一名工艺教育学院毕业后升上理工学院的获奖者。

　　他受访时说，虽升学过程比其他获奖者坎坷，但几年前因开始认真思考自己的前途，进而变得更上进，也对警察这份职业产生兴趣。

　　毕业之后将加入警察部队的吴中胜说，父亲三年前患上初期骨癌，母亲因此得扛起养家重担，虽然父亲目前已康复，但家里之前的情况让他意识到经济独立的重要性，因此对于能获得勤学奖来支付学费感到高兴。

　　除了“内政团队勤学奖”，昨天也有九人获颁“内政团队优异奖”（HOME Merit Award）。这奖项为学生支付全额学费及每年1万2000元的生活津贴。

　　ngwaimun@sph.com.sg

《联合早报》
（编辑：黄秀茱）

NUS and Peking University to offer double degree

2011-09-10T23:27:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 10 September 2011--

The National University of Singapore's (NUS) Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and China's Peking University's School of Government announced yesterday that they would collaborate to provide students with a double degree programme that will enable them to spend a year each studying in China and Singapore.

This strategic alliance will provide participating students with an Asian perspective on public policy and governance at the global, regional and local levels. Participating students will be awarded two prestigious degrees in two years. Double degree students will be exempted from any additional application and admission fees beyond those paid to the institution in which they enrol for their first year of study.

-------------------------------------
More info:
Brochure - Double Degree with Peking University

Degrees to help people work with others

2011-09-08T16:11:00.001+08:00

--MyPaper, 8 September 2011--
Victoria Barker

For education programme officer Ray Teo, forming relationships with others is a passion.

In fact, he considers himself so much of a "people person" that he has chosen a career revolving around that very aspect of his personality counselling.

Having specialised in leadership and outdoor education in his current job at Hwa Chong Institution (High School section), the 27-year-old decided to take the next step to upgrade his skills by enrolling in SIM University's (UniSIM's) Bachelor of Counselling early last year.

He told my paper: "In my role at work, I help to build students' characters and develop their fullest potential during the formative years, focusing on the all-round development of each student.

"I wanted to also build up my own skill set in the area of counselling, which is why I looked into UniSIM's programme."

Mr Teo, who holds a diploma in business studies from a polytechnic in Singapore, will graduate in October in 2013.

The degree programme, which is part of the privately funded institution's School of Human Development and Social Services, is the only counselling degree offered by a Singapore university.

Initially, it was the practicality and affordable cost of the degree that attracted Mr Teo to the programme government subsidy of up to 55 per cent are available to eligible UniSIM students but he soon found that the programme had other boons as well.

"Overall, it's very well-structured, in that we get our curriculum very far in advance, so I can manage my time better, which can be a challenge when studying as well as working full time," Mr Teo explained.

He also cited UniSIM's one-stop students' portal, which allows students to check the latest university updates, examination results, course-material collection as well as deadlines for projects and assignments, as a helpful tool.

"I've been very happy with the learning experience so far," he added.

One of the most outstanding aspects of the programme, which is taught by established academics as well as professional counsellors themselves, is the inclusion of supervised practicum, which allows students to put theory into practice and get some hands-on experience in their area of study, said Mr Teo.

"Because I love to work with youth, I chose my own workplace to put in my practical hours," he said, adding that he works with Hwa Chong's school counsellor.

"My peers may have different areas of interest, such as working with the elderly instead, and UniSIM arranges for attachments in various sectors."

Like Mr Teo, human-resource executive Rick Ching, who works for a leading car distributor, loves meeting new people and helping to solve their problems.

But he prefers doing so on a corporate level, which is why he enrolled in the pioneer batch of UniSIM's Bachelor of Human Resource Management in 2008.

"To hear people's grievances and be able to find solutions for them, it's very meaningful (for me)," he said.

Since he graduated in June, the 31-year-old bachelor has been able to apply the knowledge gained through the degree programme to his day-to-day work.

For example, for his company's annual performance review, Mr Ching who also holds a polytechnic diploma in mechatronic engineering is able to draw references to guidelines and processes learnt from courses within the programme.

"I also tend to look at the bigger picture now," he added.

"Rather than solving the problems only on an ad-hoc basis, I try to see how bigger changes can be made to avoid similar problems in the future."

Ultimately, UniSIM has equipped both Mr Ching and Mr Teo with the knowledge and, more importantly, confidence, to reach out to people, they told my paper.

Mr Teo said: "Even on a personal level, I find that I can relate better to my family, friends and peers. (The programme) cemented my choice to work with people."

NTU, NUS climb the ladder in global university rankings

2011-09-05T16:55:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 5 September 2011--
NTU leaps 16 places to take 58th spot, while NUS moves up three notches to take 28th spot

by Teo Xuanwei

SINGAPORE - Both the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have improved on their positions in a global ranking of universities this year.

According to a survey by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a company that provides information on higher education and career choices, NTU shot up 16 places to take 58th position while NUS moved up three spots to 28.

The QS rankings look at education and research at almost 3,000 institutions worldwide, assessing six key indicators: Academic reputation, employer reputation, student to faculty ratio, number of citations, number of international faculty and number of international students.

The latest rankings are gleaned from its largest survey ever, which polled over 33,000 global academics and 16,000 graduate employers.

According to NTU, its rise is due to improved performances in the areas of employer reputation (up 31 places), academic reputation (up 12 places) and student-to-faculty ratio (up 12 places).

In a press statement, NTU president Bertil Andersson said: "While rankings do move up and down, jumping 16 places is fantastic, as in the most established global ranking system, positions do not fluctuate greatly year-on-year."

The Swede, who took over as NTU president in July, added that Singapore "should be proud to have two universities among the top 60 in the world for a small nation of just 5 million people".

On average, the change in ranking for universities in the top 50 is fewer than three places, while among the top 100, it is less than six places.

QS vice-president John Molony commented that the new rankings "set Singapore's higher education among the leading systems in the world".

This year's rankings also see Cambridge retaining top spot, after it toppled Harvard for the first time last year - the differentiating factor being the drop in staffing levels at Harvard.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has gained two places from last year to overtake Yale University.

American universities remain the leaders in the QS rankings - making up 13 of the top 20 places; and over 50 of the top 200. The United Kingdom took the other seven places in the top 20, including four of the top 10.

The list this year features 18 Asian universities, up from 15 last year. The University of Hong Kong continues to be the highest placed university in Asia, as it inched up one spot to 22nd position in the latest rankings.

47 receive PCF study award

2011-09-05T16:37:00.000+08:00

--TODAY, 5 September 2011--
by Teo Xuanwei

SINGAPORE - For polytechnic student Shermaine Lau Boon Kuan, her part-time job as a street surveyor some six years ago turned out to be a life-changing experience: The numerous rejects she encountered made her realise the "importance of education", she said.

"I told myself I have to work hard," she said.

Yesterday, Ms Lau, 19, was one of 47 polytechnic students to receive a S$2,000 study award from the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) at its Family Day celebrations.

She told Today that she has been working part-time since she was 13 in order to pay for her school fees and books.
But that has not stopped her from being involved in four core curricular activity (CCA) clubs, performing at this year's Chingay parade, doing community work and volunteering at various sports events. All these, while maintaining a 3.90 Grade Point Average.
Ms Lau, who lives with her parents and an older brother in a two-room rental flat in Taman Ho Swee, was grateful for the award, which would ease the family's financial burden.
Her taxi-driver father has high blood pressure and her mother is a diabetic and works as a part-time domestic helper.
Her ambition is to become a teacher. Recalling how her mother used to take her to the library when she was young to read her stories imparting values such as kindness, selflessness and honesty, she said: "It is satisfying when you make a difference by imparting your knowledge and experiences."
Since 1999, the PCF has given out study awards yearly. The S$94,000 disbursed yesterday came from direct donations from the public.
To date, the foundation has given out almost S$1.13 million to Singaporean polytechnic students nominated by their schools based on their household income, academic results and involvement in community service and/or CCAs.

PCF sets target for more child care centres
by Teo Xuanwei

The PAP Community Foundation (PCF) hopes to increase its number of child care centres from the current 68 to 75 within the next one to two years, according to Minister of State (Defence and Education) Lawrence Wong.
The new PCF executive committee chairman said this was in line with a Government masterplan to increase the number of such centres. He said: "Child care centres is something that we can do well in because it draws on many of the strengths that we have built up over the years, which is providing high quality community services at affordable prices."

Since February, the PCF has already added 10 such centres, with each offering between 100 and 120 places, on average.

Under the masterplan announced by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in 2008, the aim is to have a total of 940 child care centres - including those by private operators - with 83,000 places by 2013. TEO XUANWEI