Admission of Students to Autonomous Universities amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Bukit Panjang SMC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether more students can be admitted to our local autonomous universities this year so as to help students who are unable to study in foreign universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (b) if so, how many additional places can be made available.

Response

1. MOE is granting additional flexibility to the Autonomous Universities (AUs) to admit more students this year, to cater to applicants whose plans to study overseas have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is part of the Ministry's broader efforts to support local students and help ensure that their education is not unduly disrupted by the pandemic.

2. MOE is working closely with the AUs on the number of additional places to provide. The allocation of additional places across AUs and courses will take into account the size and quality of the applicant pool, student interest, employment prospects of the various disciplines, the AUs' capacity to cater to additional students, and other relevant factors. All students must meet the admissions criteria of the AUs, which will continue to uphold their admission standards.