University Fees Hike
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Zainudin Nordin, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education with the recent announcement concerning university fees hike will (a) the local universities lose their competitive edge against equivalent foreign universities and (b) the increases in the fees run counter to the efforts to make Singapore an education hub.
Response
NUS and NTU have increased their tuition fees for local students by 5% to S$5,930 for AY2005. SMU, which operates as a private university, has increased its fees by 15% to S$6,500. Foreign students pay 10% higher fees than local students.
2. Even with these fee increases, our local universities’ tuition fees remain competitive in relation to most comparable universities. In the US and Australia, fees for public universities are in the region of S$8,000 for domestic students and S$22,000 for international students. Private universities charge substantially higher fees, with fees of around S$33,000 on average amongst private US universities and as high as S$40,000 to S$50,000 for the top private universities. In the UK, from 2006, universities will be allowed to charge up to 3,000 Sterling Pounds or about S$9,000 for British and other EU students. Fees for international students are significantly higher.
3. Our universities remain competitive, for both Singaporean and foreign students. They intend to ensure that they remain so, and that they provide good value-for-money.
4. Our universities will also continue to maintain a “needs-blind” admission policy. They will offer scholarships to deserving students and financial aid to any student in need. The government will ensure that no student admitted to the universities will be denied an education because of financial reasons.
Bicultural Studies
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Ong Soh Khim, Nominated Member
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether there is a quota in the annual intake of local Singaporean students for the Bicultural Studies Programme and (b) how will his Ministry ensure that a minimum number of local Singaporean students are admitted into the Programme each year.
Response
1. The number of applicants for the Bicultural Studies Programme [BSP(C)] has been encouraging, with 818 students applying for the programme. The 3 schools, Dunman High, Nanyang Girls High and Hwa Chong Institution eventually selected 305 students. 4% of those selected were foreign students.
2. The intake for the BSP(C) exceeded the initial estimate of 200 when we announced the Program last year. MOE and the schools decided to expand the intake in view of the demand from qualified and interested students.
3. The purpose of the BSP(C) is to nurture a core group of Singaporean students who are able to understand and engage China as well as the West with confidence. They will over time help reinforce our already strong links with China.
4. To ensure the BSP(C) meets its objectives, however, it is important that the program is not restricted to only Singaporean students alone. The inclusion of some foreign students, in particular those from PRC, will enrich the programme. This will benefit the Singaporean students on the programme. It will not only enliven the formal learning that takes place under the program, but also foster close interactions and bonds between the students. These bonds, formed in school, will add to the natural web of relationships between the two countries over time.
