Parliament Sitting on 14 Feb 06: Question for Written Answer: Assoc Prof Ong Soh Khim: Overseas Universities in Singapore

Question No. 81 for Written Answer

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Assoc Prof Ong Soh Khim, Nominated Member

Question:

 To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many overseas universities have been invited to set up joint programmes in Singapore; (b) how many of them have pulled out of Singapore after failing to maintain and sustain their presence; and (c) what are the reasons for their failing to maintain and sustain their presence in Singapore.

Answer:

We have successfully invited many overseas universities to establish a presence in Singapore. The EDB has attracted 16 leading foreign universities from all over the world to Singapore, with courses covering a perse range of disciplines. Of these 16 universities, some, for example INSEAD (France) and Chicago Graduate Business School (USA) have decided to establish independent branch campuses in Singapore. Others such as MIT (USA) and Waseda University (Japan), have partnered with our local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) to offer joint programmes.

The National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University have also forged partnerships with about 20 other institutions around the world to offer joint programmes in Singapore. The University of New South Wales is in the process of setting up a comprehensive university here. The EDB is continuing in discussions with other renowned universities around the world to set up their presence in Singapore.

To date, none of the overseas universities with a presence in Singapore have pulled out. They have been working closely with the EDB and our IHLs to maintain and grow their presence here. For example, INSEAD has expanded its campus in 2005 to house more faculty members and students.