Press Releases
Singapore’s New Publicly-Funded University to Start in 2011
Singapore’s new publicly-funded university will open its doors to students in 2011. This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his 2008 National Day message. The establishment of the university is among the key recommendations of the Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector to increase the capacity of the higher education sector, to better provide for Singapore’s economic needs while expanding and diversifying the education opportunities available to Singaporeans. Its recommendations have been accepted by the Government.
The New Publicly-Funded University
Chairman of the New University Steering Committee
MOE has appointed Mr. Philip Ng Chee Tat, Chief Executive Officer of the Far East Organization, as Chairman of a Steering Committee to oversee the establishment of the new university. Mr Ng brings with him extensive experience in the corporate sector. He has also been actively involved in the development of the higher education sector in Singapore through his membership on the Board of Trustees of the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Board of Governors of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Republic Polytechnic. A write-up on Mr Ng is at the Annex.
The Steering Committee will comprise leaders from academia, industry and the public sector. Some of its key tasks are to:-
- Facilitate the appointment of the Board of Trustees and management team for the new university. This will include an international search for the President of the new University.
- Develop a Masterplan for the development of the new university’s permanent campus and in the interim, to locate a temporary campus;
- Guide the development of the new university’s academic programmes; and
- Identify suitable and reputable overseas universities to form partnerships and collaborations to enhance these academic programs.
Location of the New University
The new university’s campus will be located in Changi near the Singapore Expo. The site is within walking distance of the Expo MRT station and easily accessible by road via the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) and East Coast Parkway (ECP). It will also be served by the Downtown Line (under stage 3) upon its completion in 2016.
The new university’s campus is right next to the Changi Business Park, home to high technology businesses and knowledge-intensive facilities of leading companies. This will offer the new university opportunities to develop a vibrant industry-academia eco-system around its campus. Housing facilities are also planned for student accommodation and to facilitate residential learning programs.
Apart from the amenities at the Tampines Regional Centre and Simei Town Centre nearby, students will also be able to enjoy new commercial amenities such as food & beverage and retail outlets being developed in the Changi Business Park.
Overall, the new university will be a key feature within these dynamic environs. Its location will add to the richness and diversity of the experience for its students and staff.
Please refer to the factsheet for Information on the disciplines to be offered by the new publicly funded university.
Starting Date and First Intake
The new university is expected to take in its first intake in 2011.
Public Consultation on the Naming of the New Publicly-Funded University
A public consultation on the naming of the new publicly-funded university will be conducted from 11 Aug 08 to 30 Nov 08. Members of the public can submit their ideas for the Steering Committee’s consideration.
Other Recommendations of the Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector
The Government supports the plans of the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University to deepen their capabilities in research while enhancing the quality of their undergraduate programmes. The Government also supports the Singapore Management University’s plans to grow to a mid-sized university.
The Government agrees that liberal arts education could be a potentially valuable addition to Singapore’s university landscape, and will undertake further study to determine how this model of education can be introduced here. The Government has also agreed to explore the provision of public funding to more degree programmes in niche areas.
Background
The Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector began work in September 2007, after the Prime Minister announced the Government’s commitment to increase the target cohort participation rate to 30% by 2015 at the 2007 National Day Rally. The Committee was chaired by Senior Minister of State for Education RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew and comprised members from the private and public sector as well as academia. Dr Tony Tan, Chairman of the Ministry of Education’s International Academic Advisory Panel (IAAP), served as advisor to the Committee.
The preliminary recommendations of the Committee were debated in Parliament at the Committee of Supply Debate in March 2008. The Committee released the recommendations of its preliminary report to the public on 24 June 2008. Following this, the IAAP endorsed the Committee’s recommendations at its 7th Meeting (25-27 Jun 2008) held in Singapore. Please see the executive summary and final report (520kb .pdf) of the Committee for more details.
Annex
Philip Ng Chee Tat
Chief Executive Officer
Far East Organization, Singapore
Singapore Citizen, Born on 16 September 1958
Mr Philip Ng is the Chief Executive Officer of Far East Organization, a family-owned property development and investment group operating in Singapore and Malaysia. He is also the Executive Chairman of Orchard Parade Holdings Ltd (the Organization’s listed hotel arm) and Chairman of Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd (the Organization’s listed food and beverage vehicle) and Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad. He is also a Director of Hong Kong-based Sino Group, which is Far East Organization’s sister company, engaging in real estate activities in Hong Kong and China.
Mr Ng holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with First Class Honours from King’s College, London University, UK and two Master degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, which are:
- Master of Science in Technology & Policy specialising in Geotechnical Engineering and Policy Analysis
- Master in City Planning specialising in Urban Economics
Mr Ng is on the board of various community groups and public education institutions such as National University of Singapore Board of Trustees, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He is also the Non-Resident Ambassador of The Republic of Singapore to The Republic of Chile.
He and his wife, Vy-vyen, have six children.