Press Releases
An Expanded University Landscape—Greater Choice, More Room to Excel
7th International Academic Advisory Panel Meeting, 25–27 June 08
The International Academic Advisory Panel (IAAP) has concluded its 7th meeting in Singapore. The meeting reviewed the progress of the existing publicly-funded universities and discussed the proposed expansion of the university sector as recommended by the Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector (CEUS).
Enhancement of the Existing Universities
Overall, the IAAP commends our universities for the progress that they have made in the short time since its last meeting. On the research front, the universities have made significant leaps. For example, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have each established research centres of excellence - in the areas of quantum information and cancer (NUS), and earth sciences (NTU). The IAAP supports the universities’ plans to move towards becoming more research-intensive and to expand their postgraduate offerings.
The IAAP endorses the direction for development proposed by each of the three universities:-
- NUS will continue to build on its strong base in education and research, and further develop in areas where it has existing strengths;
- NTU will continue to enhance its research programmes and undergraduate educational experience;
- The Singapore Management University (SMU) will expand into a mid-sized university by adding new majors and tracks that are related to its current areas of disciplinary focus.
In particular, the IAAP recognises the continued importance of Science & Technology to Singapore’s economy and supports NTU’s plan for an interdisciplinary, exclusive Premier Engineering Programme leading to a direct Master’s degree in Engineering, and NUS’ plan for a Two-Track Engineering Programme to train Specialist-Engineers and Engineer-Leaders. Both programmes will serve as avenues to attract more top students into the engineering discipline.
A New University
As there is growing demand for well-educated Singaporeans to fuel Singapore’s knowledge-based economy, and with the three existing universities well-established, the IAAP agrees that it is timely for Singapore to set up a new university. However, the IAAP has also emphasised that rapid expansion, without due regard to the quality and rigour of programmes, can have negative outcomes. The new university must, therefore, uphold the current high quality of education in our university sector, and achieve comparable standards to NUS, NTU and SMU. In this respect, the IAAP is of the opinion that the recruitment and retention of high-quality faculty will be the key to success for the new university.
The IAAP agrees that the proposed emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, learning in the context of real-world problems, as well as entrepreneurship, will serve to produce graduates who are well-positioned to succeed in Singapore’s increasingly sophisticated economy. It believes that the new university can complement the existing universities, and will have the potential to attract top students who prefer its approach to education. At the same time, the IAAP emphasises the importance of building interdisciplinary education and research on a strong foundation of knowledge in core disciplines.
The IAAP supports the Committee’s recommendation for the new university to offer programmes in the areas of Design and Architecture, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Business and Information Technology. These disciplines are well-suited to addressing key issues in emerging areas such as sustainable development, renewable energy and climate change, as well as finding new approaches to industry-academia partnerships.
Liberal Arts Education
The IAAP also believes that establishing a liberal arts college is of strategic importance to Singapore. A liberal arts education can be an important way to nurture students who think from first principles, are rigorously grounded across disciplines including mathematics and science, communicate effectively, are able to put problems in historical, cultural and ethical contexts, and have a life-time thirst for knowledge. The IAAP also believes that establishing a liberal arts college will allow Singapore to attract more top international students, thus enhancing its reputation as a tertiary education hub.
The IAAP recognises that there are practical challenges associated with establishing a liberal arts college in Singapore, as reflected in the Committee’s Report. However, the IAAP strongly encourages the Government to study this further with a view towards establishing a liberal arts college in Singapore in the near future.
Niche Degree Programmes
The IAAP endorses the Committee’s recommendation to provide more degree programmes in niche areas through collaborations between our polytechnics and foreign specialised institutions, and to explore funding for a small number of students enrolled in high-quality independent degree awarding institutions.
Long-Term University Landscape
The IAAP strongly endorses the Committee’s vision for the university landscape. Together, the Committee’s recommendations will enhance the diversity and quality of Singapore’s university sector, to better prepare our young people for the challenges of the future. The greater diversity in institutions and programmes will help to nurture students with a wide range of talents. With these improvements, Singapore’s universities will be able to provide both the capacity and diversity to serve local students and attract international students.
Conclusion
The next meeting of the IAAP will be in January 2011.