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EDUN N25-05-013 V1

00301

11 Jan 2001

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY PANEL THIRD MEETING, 8 -11 JANUARY 2001

Highlights


1. To meet the challenges of the Knowledge Economy, the International Academic Advisory Panel (IAAP), which has just concluded its third meeting in Singapore from 8 to 11 January 2001, recommended that Singapore expands the role of its university sector to better serve as a strategic resource for Singapore.


2. The Panel believed that the challenges of the Knowledge Economy will require a higher education sector to, in addition to its traditional functions of knowledge dissemination and manpower training, play an active part in knowledge creation and the provision of lifelong learning opportunities.


3. The Panel felt that knowledge creation in the Knowledge Economy was best done by building a community involving the universities, research institutes and polytechnics. Such a community would attract talent and allow for mobility of individuals among the different institutions, to create a supportive and vibrant environment for the creation of new ideas and the service of our economy. The Panel suggested that the universities and research institutes forge closer links so that research spending at the national level could also be directed towards helping the universities to sustain research excellence and enhance their reputation. This would in turn enhance the vibrancy of our universities as they strive to become world class institutions. As institutions, the universities should also adopt practices which will encourage their staff to innovate and, where appropriate, take their research to the market.


4. The Panel recommended that in order for Singapore's investment in higher education to be a critical resource for the nation, it should build a world-class higher education system. The overall higher education system should have a good mix of institutions catering to the needs of different segments of the economy and educating students with different interests and aptitudes. A diverse, differentiated and competitive higher education system will provide much-needed strength to support economic growth and social development. In particular, the Panel noted the good work done by the polytechnics in providing practice-oriented training to individuals who take on important roles in industry and business.


5. Within the university segment, the Panel felt that there was also room for greater diversity, with a number of institutions each having its own niche and area(s) of specialisation, e.g., in engineering and technology, or in business management. The Panel supported the establishment of a fourth university-level institution. The establishment of the fourth university-level institution should not diminish, but should instead build upon the role of the polytechnics. With the fourth university, the state-funded higher education sector, comprising universities and polytechnics, can provide education opportunities for up to two-thirds of each cohort of students. The Panel suggested that the Government considers some of the features for the fourth university: a technologically-inclined institution, focusing on teaching and service to industry and the community, with strong emphasis on its role of service to industry and the community, and providing continuing professional development and training to the workforce across different age groups.


Key Deliberation Points


6. The other main points of deliberation of the Panel include:

1. The Panel commended NUS and NTU in playing the multiple roles to support the nation's growth. It noted their continued progress made in the areas of teaching and research since the second IAAP meeting held in January 1999. It welcomed the introduction of various schemes to broaden undergraduate education, including the General Education Requirement on knowledge and modes of inquiry in NUS and Biology as a General Elective for all students in NTU. It noted the establishment of several new research institutes and centres, and encouraged the universities to be more integrated with these institutes in their research and knowledge creation.

2. The Panel also noted the successful start-up of SMU. Not only has SMU provided more opportunities for university education, the autonomy given to it as a private university has allowed it the flexibility to innovate and help to uplift the quality of education in the higher education sector.

3. The Panel was pleased to note that a new University Admission System with broader admission components, viz., 'A' Level results, SAT I reasoning tests and bonus points for co-curricular activities, will be implemented with effect from 2003. It also concurred with the recommendations from the MOE Steering Committee on the review on university governance and funding. It agreed that the public universities should be given greater autonomy in financial and personnel matters, over and above what they currently enjoy, so that they are better able to respond to the challenges of the knowledge economy. In return, the accountability system should ensure that the public funds are properly directed towards the achievement of outcomes and used in an efficient and effective way.

4. The Panel was impressed by the quality of polytechnic education in Singapore and noted that the top polytechnic graduates who had advanced to the universities both in Singapore and overseas have performed well academically, especially in the areas of Engineering and Technology. Recognising that polytechnic graduates are one of the key pillars of the Singapore economy and should continue to do so, the Panel was of the view that they should seek opportunities to update and upgrade their skills to remain well-equipped to meet the needs and challenges of the economy.

5. The Panel was of the view that our universities should provide greater scope for continuing professional development, at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels. Our universities can help encourage and facilitate lifelong learning, and maintain links with their alumni and the wider community through innovative continuing education programmes.

6. The Panel noted that the establishment of a fourth university with a practice-oriented focus is welcomed by industry. Such a university concept will allow the institution to differentiate itself from the three existing universities, and develop its own niche areas, within the higher education system that comprises a diversity of institutions. A strong feature of this university should be to provide continuing professional development up to degree level for working adults. The Panel felt that strong support from employers will be instrumental in the successful establishment of the fourth university.

7. The Panel was confident that the new developments in the overall higher education system in this direction would help Singapore to generate growth and create knowledge, and establish itself as a centre of educational excellence.

Background

7. The Panel gave its recommendations after its three-day meeting in Singapore. During this period, the Panel visited the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the Nanyang Polytechnic and met with officials from the Singapore Management University (SMU). Panel members also held discussions with officials from the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB), and representatives from industry, business and private sectors.


8. Panel members also attended a dinner hosted by the President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan, and called on Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. They also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan, Minister for Education RAdm (NS) Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Trade & Industry BG (NS) George Yeo.


9. The Panel will meet again in Singapore in the year 2003 to continue its review of university education in Singapore. Issues for discussion include the relationship between universities and research institutes, and the system of research funding.