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Source:
www.moe.gov.sg |
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COMMITTEE ON THE EXPANSION OF
THE UNIVERSITY SECTOR |
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Singaporeans can look forward to more
opportunities for an affordable university education, within a diverse
university landscape. |
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The Ministry of Education (MOE) is
increasing the number of publicly-funded university places to cater to
30% of each cohort of Singaporeans by 2015. |
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This is an increase from the current target
of 25% to be achieved by 2010, which was announced in 2001. The Prime
Minister announced this new target at the 2007 National Day Rally. |
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The increase to 30% of cohort translates to
about 2,400 additional university places per year for Singaporeans. |
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A Committee chaired by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck
Yew, Minister of State for Education will study and recommend how the
expansion of the university sector is best achieved, taking into account
the Government¡¯s intention to extend public funding for 30% of cohort to
obtain a university education. |
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The Committee will explore ways to make
available diverse university education options to meet the aspirations
of students and the needs of the economy. The terms of reference for the
Committee are at Annex A. |
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The Committee will include senior
officials from MOE, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Trade and
Industry, senior educationists and representatives from industry.
Dr Tony Tan, Chairman of MOE¡¯s International Academic Advisory
Panel, will be advisor to the Committee. |
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The Committee will study a number of
possible additions to the university sector, including:- |
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i. A new comprehensive university; |
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ii. A small, top-quality liberal arts
college offering a broad-based curriculum and focused on teaching;
and |
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iii. Degree programmes in specialised
areas, building on the existing framework which allows
polytechnics to tie up with universities to offer niche degree
programmes. |
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These possible approaches are not
mutually exclusive. A combination of models may be considered as
part of the expansion of the university sector. |
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The Committee will be supported in its
study by working groups comprising representatives from both the
public and private sector, including industry and academia. The
working groups will study in greater detail, the feasibility and
possible models for a new university and a liberal arts college. |
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The Committee and its working groups
will conduct study trips to assess the suitability of models in
the US and Europe. Public consultations and focus group
discussions with key stakeholders such as students and industry
will also be held. |
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The Committee aims to submit its
recommendations to the Government by August 2008. |
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BACKGROUND |
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In 2001, the Government set a target
to provide subsidised university education for 25% of each primary
one cohort by 2010. |
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MOE has been increasing the number of
university places over the years. The proportion of each cohort
entering university increased to about 23.5% this year compared to
20.8% in 2000 and about 15% in 1990. |
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The Government has also been
introducing more diversity into the publicly funded university
sector. |
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In 2005, the Government introduced a
framework that allows polytechnics to tie up with other
universities to offer degree programmes in specialised areas. |
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The degrees are awarded in the name of
the partner institution. This framework also capitalises on the
excellent infrastructure of the polytechnics to provide quality
training and education at a higher level. |
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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
20 AUGUST 2007 |
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Annex A |
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TERMS OF REFERENCE |
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The terms of reference of the
Committee are:- |
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a. To recommend how the university sector can be
expanded and realigned to provide additional publicly-subsidised
university places which are broadly aligned with Singapore¡¯s
longer-term manpower needs; and
b. To propose feasible models for the delivery of
education opportunities at the university-level that would allow
for a diversity of university-level paths, to meet the needs of
the market and the aspirations of parents and students. |
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Source:
www.moe.gov.sg Press Release
20 Aug 2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 21 August 2007
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