21st August 2007

Talks and Plans on Singapore’s 4 th University

Come the year 2015, students who aspire to achieve a higher-education, will not only have more universities to choose from, but will be free from the worry of securing a place.

This plan was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally where he added that university places will be made available to 30 percent of each school cohort.

According to a Straits Times report, Education Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam added that more students are now keen to pursue their degrees as a result the rise in the need of more places in the local universities.

2400 places will be created each year in the universities to fulfill the dreams of students and the manpower needs in Singapore. He said that some students failed to attain a place in the university this year which could have led to complaints on admission policies.

A government panel has also been set up to study the possible models for the 4 th university. The panel’s research will be based on the technical universities of Europe, the American Liberal colleges and foreign specialised institutions.

The news of the opening of this 4 th university has brought a sense of relief to many, especially parents. They now see more hope. One such parent, Mrs Asogan whose son is taking his PSLE this year adds, “Now I will focus on pushing him harder. My family’s vision, along with my son’s of getting a degree is clearer now, since we don’t have to worry about admission issues.

Sources: Straits Times, Tuesday, 21 st August 2007