By next April, 2012, the Singapore University of Technology and Design will commence teaching with up to 500 students. This is a joint project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) where the top 5% of students will spend a semester in MIT itself.
Course fee for Singaporeans is $44k for a eight semesters 3 ½ year Bachelor of Engineering course. A 10 semester Master’s course of 4 ½ years with a major in Architecture and Design will cost $55k.
Two other universities will open their doors in 2013. The Yale-NUS College for humanities will initially have an intake of 150 students. It will offer the Philosophy, Political Science and Economics programme modeled after Oxford University of UK. Course fee has yet to be announced.
The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine will also commence with an intake of 50 and eventually going up to 150 students. The School is in collaboration with the Imperial College of London and will award a joint NTU-Imperial College degree. Course fee has yet to be announced.
Singapore undergraduates will be in a comfortable position with more choices of renowned universities setting up schools here. The advantage of homeground and lower fees will be a big draw for these students.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 05, 2011
Top rankings for Singapore Universities
NUS is ranked the 28th top university by the London based Quacquarelli report. NTU is ranked 58th best. Soon Singaporeans do not need to travel to the US or UK to received world best university education when world best education is available at their door step.
At the rate Singapore universities are moving up the ranking ladder, soon they will be in the company of Cambridge, Oxford, MTI and Harvard and other American and British Ivy League colleges.
At the rate Singapore universities are moving up the ranking ladder, soon they will be in the company of Cambridge, Oxford, MTI and Harvard and other American and British Ivy League colleges.
Friday, July 08, 2011
Only 328 left
After an 18 month time frame for all private schools to meet the stringent criteria laid out by the Council for Private Education and to register with the Council, only 328 met the deadline on 20 June 2011. This is a shrinkage from about 1000 private schools. Some merged with bigger schools and some simply folded up.
The 328 left are schools that are much well organised and reliable to take on the role of providing good private educations to students who are paying good money and a high expectation that the money and time will be well spent.
Going forward, the private schools are expected to stabilise and with lesser upheavals or risk of closing down though such an eventuality cannot be totally ruled out. Private school students could now study in peace knowing that the govt is there to ensure that the schools are up to it to deliver what they set out to.
Students who have problems can always approach the CPE and various other govt agencies for assistance.
The 328 left are schools that are much well organised and reliable to take on the role of providing good private educations to students who are paying good money and a high expectation that the money and time will be well spent.
Going forward, the private schools are expected to stabilise and with lesser upheavals or risk of closing down though such an eventuality cannot be totally ruled out. Private school students could now study in peace knowing that the govt is there to ensure that the schools are up to it to deliver what they set out to.
Students who have problems can always approach the CPE and various other govt agencies for assistance.
Friday, July 01, 2011
CPE flexing its muscles
The newly founded Council for Private Education, a statutory board, has started to flex its muscles to rein in the misconducts and malpractices in the industry. It has hauled up Cambridge Business School to court for running a pre masters course without its written consent. As reported in the ST, 'Former managers Dennis Tan Cheng Hoe, Sunny Tan Cheng San and Guo Qiaoli are accused of failing to keep proper records.'
After years of lawlessness, the CPE has been given powers to impose fines and penalties to private schools for flouting its rules or failing to maintain minimum standards for courses. At stake is the reputation of Singapore as an international education hub and the country's reputation as a safe and reliable place for all enterprises.
With this start, more trespassers of its regulations can be expected to meet the same fate and possible closure. Cambridge apparently has closed its doors. Local and international students can now feel more at ease that those allowed to continue operating are less likely to leave them in a lurch.
The CPE is something waiting to happen while the govt experimented with the idea that the players can self regulate and set a high standard for themselves. It has now been proven that a business enterprise where profit is the main motivating factor cannot be left alone on its own device. Profit crazy organisations will throw caution to the wind and strive for the bottom line at all costs, often forgetting the missions of their organisations. This is the ugly side of human greed.
The CPE is something late than never.
After years of lawlessness, the CPE has been given powers to impose fines and penalties to private schools for flouting its rules or failing to maintain minimum standards for courses. At stake is the reputation of Singapore as an international education hub and the country's reputation as a safe and reliable place for all enterprises.
With this start, more trespassers of its regulations can be expected to meet the same fate and possible closure. Cambridge apparently has closed its doors. Local and international students can now feel more at ease that those allowed to continue operating are less likely to leave them in a lurch.
The CPE is something waiting to happen while the govt experimented with the idea that the players can self regulate and set a high standard for themselves. It has now been proven that a business enterprise where profit is the main motivating factor cannot be left alone on its own device. Profit crazy organisations will throw caution to the wind and strive for the bottom line at all costs, often forgetting the missions of their organisations. This is the ugly side of human greed.
The CPE is something late than never.
Friday, June 17, 2011
One more private school closed by CPE
CPE, the Council for Private Education was set up by the govt to regulate private schools in Singapore after a spate of unpleasant events which led to private students being left in the lurch when some of the badly run schools run foul of the law or were closed prematurely.
ALG Education Centre located in the private schools district of North Bridge Road and Middle Road area was closed for failing to disclosed relevant information affecting the school. The school withheld information that its partnership with an external degree programme provider, New York's Daeman College, was terminated. ALG also did not submit student records and contracts to CPE as required for registration as a private school. There were also two civil proceedings against ALG that was not reported.
Private schools are required to be registered with CPE and to satisfy certain requirements for accreditation under the Enhanced Registration Framework which required them to have independent examination boards, transparency of finances and qualified teachers. Schools that want to recruit foreign students are required to obtain the EduTrust Certificate which has more stringent criteria to meet.
As of end of April 2011, 274 private schools have been registerd with ERF and 63 awarded the EduTrust Certificates. Foreign students seeking further education in private schools here should enquire for such qualifications from the private schools for their own good. The Private Education Act enacted in December 2009 required all private schools to be registered with the CPE. This should provide the first level of safeguards for foreign students studying in Singapore.
ALG Education Centre located in the private schools district of North Bridge Road and Middle Road area was closed for failing to disclosed relevant information affecting the school. The school withheld information that its partnership with an external degree programme provider, New York's Daeman College, was terminated. ALG also did not submit student records and contracts to CPE as required for registration as a private school. There were also two civil proceedings against ALG that was not reported.
Private schools are required to be registered with CPE and to satisfy certain requirements for accreditation under the Enhanced Registration Framework which required them to have independent examination boards, transparency of finances and qualified teachers. Schools that want to recruit foreign students are required to obtain the EduTrust Certificate which has more stringent criteria to meet.
As of end of April 2011, 274 private schools have been registerd with ERF and 63 awarded the EduTrust Certificates. Foreign students seeking further education in private schools here should enquire for such qualifications from the private schools for their own good. The Private Education Act enacted in December 2009 required all private schools to be registered with the CPE. This should provide the first level of safeguards for foreign students studying in Singapore.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
An aberration in the education of Indians
Sinda is concerned that one in four Indian students scored less than a C grade in PSLE examination. They are reviewing the teaching methods to correct this anomaly.
I think they should not be unduly alarmed by the slightly underperformance at primary level. From the performance of adult Indians, the reverse is true, that Indians are great in mathematics and numbers. They are producing a lot of world class programmers and IT professionals in a field where mathematics and logical thinking are a must. Then all the top finance professionals in the island are Indians, from the Finance Minister, CEO of MAS, CEO of DBS, Citigroup and many other finance institutions are Indians. Their ability for mathematics cannot be bad.
What this proof is that the Indians may be slower in developing their mathematical prowess. But they will catch up in no time to be the best of the best. There is not much cause to worry about. They will all end up well and surpass the national average. Unless of course the gene pool has been changed or degraded. This is unlikely to be so as Tharman has noted, ‘the Indian community had made “significant progress” in the past 20 years,….’ They can only get better.
I think they should not be unduly alarmed by the slightly underperformance at primary level. From the performance of adult Indians, the reverse is true, that Indians are great in mathematics and numbers. They are producing a lot of world class programmers and IT professionals in a field where mathematics and logical thinking are a must. Then all the top finance professionals in the island are Indians, from the Finance Minister, CEO of MAS, CEO of DBS, Citigroup and many other finance institutions are Indians. Their ability for mathematics cannot be bad.
What this proof is that the Indians may be slower in developing their mathematical prowess. But they will catch up in no time to be the best of the best. There is not much cause to worry about. They will all end up well and surpass the national average. Unless of course the gene pool has been changed or degraded. This is unlikely to be so as Tharman has noted, ‘the Indian community had made “significant progress” in the past 20 years,….’ They can only get better.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Early Childhood Education in Singapore
Members of the New Zealand High Commission, Massey University and the Ministry of Education, Singapore.Early Childhood Education in Singapore
gets a boost from New Zealand
4 April 2011, Singapore – Singapore’s Principals Academy Inc (PAI) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement with New Zealand’s Massey University to offer the Massey University Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Focus) programme here in Singapore.
Massey University's Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Focus) degree is one of New Zealand's longest-standing and most respected professional qualifications for teachers and educators. The programme aims to develop knowledge, skills, and practices within early childhood education settings that will prepare its graduates for roles in leadership and management in the teaching profession.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Another private school closed down
The MOE is investigating the sudden closing down of a private school offering degree courses from the University of Wales. The Turning Point Business School offered degree courses including MBAs in strategic supply chain management, Islamic banking and finance and risk management. The fees could be as high as $20,000.
The University of Wales has since terminated its partnership with the school. Its owner, a Manish Brahmbhatt is uncontactable and is believed to have left Singapore.
Students who have enrolled in the school were experiencing earlier signs of trouble when classes were often postponed. They are now trying to recover the fees paid to the school. Potential students to private schools better beware that any signs of irregularities should be seen as a warning to them.
The MOE has since set up a Council for Private Education(CPE) to oversee private schools in Singapore. All private schools have to register with the CPE by this June. Only about a quarter have done which is a sign that many would not make it for reasons of compliance to the higher requirements of the CPE.
The University of Wales has since terminated its partnership with the school. Its owner, a Manish Brahmbhatt is uncontactable and is believed to have left Singapore.
Students who have enrolled in the school were experiencing earlier signs of trouble when classes were often postponed. They are now trying to recover the fees paid to the school. Potential students to private schools better beware that any signs of irregularities should be seen as a warning to them.
The MOE has since set up a Council for Private Education(CPE) to oversee private schools in Singapore. All private schools have to register with the CPE by this June. Only about a quarter have done which is a sign that many would not make it for reasons of compliance to the higher requirements of the CPE.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The heat is on private schools
By June 2011, more than 50% of private schools would have to close down. The spate of closures and badly run private schools have damaged the clinically clean image of Singapore as a no nonsense city state where quality is its hallmark. The Singapore Trademark is as good as gold. So it was till it was tarnished by the problems caused by failed private schools and the torment and pain it caused to the students, both local and foreign, who paid good money and invested time and effort only to be at the wrong end of a scam.
The Education Ministry has finally kicked in to clean up the mess. A Council for Private Education(CPE) has been set up to evaluate private schools and those not up to mark will have to go to protect the interest of the students and Singapore's squeaky clean reputation.
Private schools meeting the stringent criteria will be accreditted with the EduTrust Award. At the top is the EduTrust Star. Those who got through would be given the EduTrust Award. The minumum standard is the EduTrust Provisional Award.
Private students should look out for this accreditation before enrolling to any private schools. This is the least they should look out for and the least that the Ministry could do.
Going forward we will have to see if the new rulings come with teeth or things as per normal with poorly managed private schools still operating and closing like the weather.
The Education Ministry has finally kicked in to clean up the mess. A Council for Private Education(CPE) has been set up to evaluate private schools and those not up to mark will have to go to protect the interest of the students and Singapore's squeaky clean reputation.
Private schools meeting the stringent criteria will be accreditted with the EduTrust Award. At the top is the EduTrust Star. Those who got through would be given the EduTrust Award. The minumum standard is the EduTrust Provisional Award.
Private students should look out for this accreditation before enrolling to any private schools. This is the least they should look out for and the least that the Ministry could do.
Going forward we will have to see if the new rulings come with teeth or things as per normal with poorly managed private schools still operating and closing like the weather.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sudden closure of Private School
School of Applied Studies, a small private school, closed suddenly due to financial difficulties. 300 students, both locals and foreigners, were left stranded. The fees for a diploma course by the School ranged from $13,500 to $36,000 for a degree.
The parents were angry, the students were lost and shocked. The staff has not collected their pay for two months. Many lives and aspirations were ruined. Never mind about the education hub status of the island. The students paid the money, went to study, in the hope of getting a qualification that will see them through their lives, to a job or profession. Now it is all uncertainty. Efforts are now being made to help the students to continue their studies in other institutions.
Is private education just another business and it success or failure something to live with? I think not. There is a heavy duty and responsibility to prevent young people from being caught in such a mess as it is their future that is at stake.
Badly constituted schools, fly by night schools, can do serious harm to the innocent youth. It is not simply another business, about profit and loss. There are social obligations, moral responsibility and human decency to prevent the young from being ripped off by unscrupulous operators whose main aim is to make money.
Schools, private or public, must be carefully regulated to prevent fraud and mismanagement. Schools that are churning out degrees and diplomas that are not recognized by the govt should not be allowed to operate here. If we know it is crap, we cannot allow it to operate. It is highly irresponsible to take the position that it is a willing buyer willing seller arrangement, caveat emptor.
Live up to your moral righteousness and duty to provide good, decent and credible education to anyone who seeks an education here. Eyes wide shut are unacceptable. It is very cruel and shameful to allow young people to invest their time and money only to end up with a piece of worthless paper, and all because responsible people chose to turn a blind eye.
The parents were angry, the students were lost and shocked. The staff has not collected their pay for two months. Many lives and aspirations were ruined. Never mind about the education hub status of the island. The students paid the money, went to study, in the hope of getting a qualification that will see them through their lives, to a job or profession. Now it is all uncertainty. Efforts are now being made to help the students to continue their studies in other institutions.
Is private education just another business and it success or failure something to live with? I think not. There is a heavy duty and responsibility to prevent young people from being caught in such a mess as it is their future that is at stake.
Badly constituted schools, fly by night schools, can do serious harm to the innocent youth. It is not simply another business, about profit and loss. There are social obligations, moral responsibility and human decency to prevent the young from being ripped off by unscrupulous operators whose main aim is to make money.
Schools, private or public, must be carefully regulated to prevent fraud and mismanagement. Schools that are churning out degrees and diplomas that are not recognized by the govt should not be allowed to operate here. If we know it is crap, we cannot allow it to operate. It is highly irresponsible to take the position that it is a willing buyer willing seller arrangement, caveat emptor.
Live up to your moral righteousness and duty to provide good, decent and credible education to anyone who seeks an education here. Eyes wide shut are unacceptable. It is very cruel and shameful to allow young people to invest their time and money only to end up with a piece of worthless paper, and all because responsible people chose to turn a blind eye.
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