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EDUN C33-18-117 V4

04201

26 July 2001

COMMITTEE'S INTERIM REPORT OFFERS PRELIMINARY IDEAS ON PROPOSED 4TH UNIVERSITY

1.      The Committee to Review Upgrading Opportunities at Degree Level chaired by Mr Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State (Education) is seriously considering a recommendation to the Government to set up a 4th university. This will provide Singaporeans with more upgrading opportunities at the degree level.

2.      The Committee is of the view that the proposed 4th university should be differentiated in mission and structure from the 3 existing universities. The proposed 4th university should develop its own niche, and be a teaching-focused university with a technological bias that carries out applied research, and which has strong links with industry. It should also be a major provider of Continuing Education and Training. It should therefore structure its programmes, curriculum and pedagogy to cater for both part time and full time learning as well as adult education in as flexible a manner as possible.

3.      The Committee has outlined preliminary ideas on possible features for a proposed 4th University in its interim report. These ideas are based on consultation with key stakeholders and observations gathered from visits to a number of overseas universities with a technological bias.

4.      With a 4th university, the Committee feels that the higher education sector would then be more equipped to cater to the varying needs of both industry and individuals.

PROPOSED FEATURES OF 4TH UNIVERSITY

5.      The main findings of the Committee on the proposed features of the 4th university are outlined in the Committee's progress report, which is available on the Internet at the following website: http://www1.moe.edu.sg/mhed2/. The main highlights include:

a.      Focus on degree programmes in Engineering, Info-communications Technology, and Applied Science, and include required modules on foundational subjects like Mathematics and Science, as well as "soft skills" like business management. Industry attachments and project-based learning experiences, possibly with overseas stints, would provide the important links with industry, cultivate skills for work, and promote a more global outlook.

b.       Close relationship with industry. The Committee strongly believes that industry's involvement in the 4th university is critical to its success. To that end, the 4th University should feature a two-way exchange relationship with industry. This relationship could feature consultations with and involvement of industry bodies in its governance, curriculum design and research portfolio. Collaborations with industry could take place at many levels, including student sponsorship, attachments and internships, consultancy and joint research by faculty members. Industry could provide laboratories and equipment, and commission applied research projects. Industry would also be able to take advantage of the new knowledge arising from the 4th University's work.

c.      Different learning paths for students who are drawn from diverse educational backgrounds and work experience - 'A' level students, polytechnic diploma holders, working adults and foreign talent.

NEXT STEPS: GATHERING OF FEEDBACK AND VIEWS

6.      In the next phase, the Committee will continue to gather views and feedback from various stakeholders, including working adults, the academic community and industry leaders on its preliminary ideas for the 4th University. The Committee feels that it is important to consult the different stakeholders as the structure and shape of the 4th university are important issues that need to be set right from the start for the university to be a viable proposition.

7.      The public is invited to submit its views to the Committee in any of the following forms:

a.    Writing in to :
       The Secretariat (Attn: Mdm Julie Tan)
       Committee to Review Upgrading Opportunities at Degree Level
       c/o Higher Education Division, Ministry of Education
       1 North Buona Vista Drive
       S (138675)
       Fax:    7768497

b.    Sending e-mail to the following address:
       moe_hed@moe.gov.sg

c.    Visiting the Committee's website at:
       http://www1.moe.edu.sg/mhed2/

BACKGROUND

8.      Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan announced in December 2000 that MOE would be setting up a high-level Committee to look into the need and possible options for training more university graduates with a strong industry and practice orientation, and also for providing upgrading opportunities for more Singaporeans. The Committee to Review Upgrading Opportunities at Degree Level was formed in Feb 2001. The Committee comprises representatives from the private and public sectors, as well as representatives from the Institutions of Higher Learning (see Annex A).

9.      From February to May 2001, the Committee held focus group discussions with stakeholders and conducted one-to-one interviews with key opinion leaders from industry. In April 2001, two separate study trips were made to the US, Germany and UK to glean lessons from the universities visited.

10.    The Committee is expected to complete the review and submit its final report to the Government at the end of the year.

Annex A

COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE TO REVIEW UPGRADING
OPPORTUNITIES AT DEGREE LEVEL

Chairman
Mr Peter Chen Senior Minister of State (Education and Trade & Industry)

Members From Private Sector
Mr Peter Boo Entrepreneur
Mr Boon Swan Foo Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Technologies Engineering
Mr Chia Wee Boon Managing Director, Hewlett-Packard Singapore Pte Ltd
Mr Lee Kwok Cheong Chief Executive Officer, National Computer Systems
Mr Robert Martijnse Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Philips Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd

Members From Public Sector
Mr Chiang Chie Foo Permanent Secretary (Education)
Dr Tan Chin Nam Permanent Secretary (Manpower)
Mr Ko Kheng Hwa Managing Director, Economic Development Board
Prof Hang Chang Chieh Executive Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive, National Science & Technology Board

Members From Institutions of Higher Learning
Prof Lim Mong King Deputy President, Nanyang Technological University
Mr Chia Mia Chiang Principal, Ngee Ann Polytechnic


 
 

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