Educated choice

Singapore is one of the smallest countries in Asia, but the 700-sq-km island nation has stature far beyond its size. It is one of the world's busiest ports and is now developing into another type of hub - for education, with the goal of becoming the first choice for Chinese students studying overseas.

"Singapore is widely recognized as a provider of quality education," says Magdalene Lee, director of education services division with Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

"Our institutions are ranked among the best in the world and our students are highly sought after upon graduation."

With more Western countries opening their educational programs to China, and as a newcomer to the competition for the international students, "Singapore lags behind established Western education centers in terms of awareness", admits Lee.

"We have to speak out about our strengths so that Chinese students seeking an overseas education will consider Singapore alongside other choices."

She tells China Business Weekly that STB, the promotion and marketing arm for Singapore education, will have to consider expanding its recruiting efforts beyond metropolises to second- and third-tier cities in China, where students may not have the means to study in countries where the cost of living is high.

"With many world-class institutions offering their programs in Singapore, students can get the best of global education near home, and within their means. As well, job opportunities are plentiful in Singapore for those who are talented and wish to start their careers in a global city," adds Lee.

Attractions for residency

Part of its attraction in the rapidly growing Asian region is its cultural and physical proximity to China.

Adjusting to life in Singapore can be much easier for mainland students as 75.2 percent of Singapore's population is Chinese, Mandarin is widely spoken and Chinese cuisine is easily found.

"To these students Singapore is a home away from home," says Lee.

Another attraction is Singapore's growing list of educational options.

Several international universities have programs in the lion city, including Cornell University, the management school INSEAD, the University of Nevada's William F Harrah College of Hotel Administration and India's S P Jain Center of Management.

"For students studying at these foreign universities in Singapore, although tuition fees may be comparable to the schools' home campuses, the lower cost of living here, the proximity to home, in addition to the internationally welcoming environment, make it an attractive alternative to the United Kingdom or United States," says Lee.

Public institutes of higher learning such as polytechnics and local universities in Singapore offer grants of up to 85 percent of the tuition fees at the diploma level and 75 percent for undergraduate programs.

International students who receive a tuition grant, available to all qualified candidates, are required to work for three years after graduation, either in Singapore or with a Singapore-registered institution overseas.

"This is also a great opportunity for students to gain a degree and also valuable work experience in a global city upon graduation," says Lee.

More than 7,000 multinational companies, 100,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises and 25,000 companies doing international business in the tiny country provide a base for research, networking and career possibilities, she says.

"One strength of Singapore's education system lies in its bilingual policy (English with Malay, Chinese Mandarin or Tamil). All students are required to study a second language, and those with an affinity for languages are encouraged to pursue a third."

Students are also encouraged to participate in exchange programs at foreign campuses or intern with companies overseas.

In the first half of 2007, the Ministry of Education disbursed more than $3 million to support 149 schools in their exchange efforts.

To provide information on studying and living in Singapore, STB has opened centers in Shanghai and Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

70% of global students

Singapore is located in the midst of the world's fastest-growing number of students. Asia is expected to dominate demand for international higher education, with China, South Korea, Malaysia, India and Japan as the top five sources.

By 2025, the region is projected to account for 70 percent of the global demand for international higher education, according to the statistics from Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

As well, students from the West are finding it important to have an Asian perspective to their studies as Asian economies become increasingly integrated in the global marketplace.

"This is where Singapore offers a learning environment from the Asian perspective while maintaining strong links to the West," says an EDB spokesperson.

To meet the rapidly growing demand, international institutions are using their campuses in Singapore as a gateway to Asia.

INSEAD has two campuses, one in France and the other in Singapore, and allows students to flow freely from one to the other.

Master's students enrolled at the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management spend equal time in Singapore and the Cornell University campus in New York.

"Singapore is well-placed to take a strong position in this market - we have high education standards, a safe environment and good quality of life, and a unique cosmopolitan environment," says the spokesperson.

(China Daily 01/05/2008 page6)