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Singapore is well on track to becming the world's education destination
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Reputable local and foreign institutions are enjoying brisk business in Singapore, because of a national initiative to muscle in on the global education market, estimated to be worth S$3.7 trillion (US$2.2 trillion). These industry players are capitalising on Singapore's low costs, safe living and proximity to expanding Asian economies to market the city-state as a choice destination for education.
AMBITIOUS TARGETS
In 2002, a government economic review panel had urged Singapore to seize the opportunities that had arisen out of newly thriving Asian economies, particularly that of India and China. At the time, mature education exporters from the US, Britain and Australia were already on the lookout for fresh markets to tap into, and it was estimated that the demand for international education would see a four-fold increase over the next two decades - from 1.8 million students in 2002 to 7.2 million by 2025.
The panel felt that Singapore's English language competencies and strong international international reputation for quality education would draw in the crowds, be it brand-name institutions looking for a respectable place to set up in or international students seeking a good degree in a stable environment with comparatively lower living costs. With that in mind, the panel set the target of attracting 150,000 foreign students to Singapore by 2015, which it said would not only create 22,000 jobs, but also boost the education sector's GDP contribution from 1.9 per cent (S$3 billion/US$1.8 billion) to five per cent.
According to Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) director Kenneth Tan, whose portfolio includes education, Singapore is "very much" on track to reaching the target. His optimistic outlook is justified, considering that Singapore's international student intake has seen a sharp increase over three years, from less than 50,000 international students in 2002 to 72,000 international students in 2005, hailing from places as far-flung as Nigeria.
Investments in the education sector have also seen a spike; before 2002, such investments were in the single-digit millions, but by 2004, it was estimated that education investments had amounted to S$100 million (US$61.7 million) in value added and were expected to generate about 1,100 jobs.
EDUCATING THE WORLD
Further boosting the city-state's confidence is the knowledge that it has already fulfilled another lofty aspiration. In 1997, the government announced its target to attract 10 world-class universities to Singapore within a decade - 10 universities jumped on board in half the time, and in November 2005, EDB said it had surpassed its target by six universities. Recent arrivals include Cornell University and Duke University, both from the US, which are setting up programmes with local institutions Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore respectively.
There is a grander aim behind attracting top-notch institutions and students to Singapore, says Tan, and it is the hope that foreign talent will remain in the country as employees or entrepreneurs. In turn, the growing pool of talent in Singapore will help draw more world-class R&D firms and MNCs to the country.
EDB's plans for the education sector include adding diversity to the scene by introducing more speciality institutions and preparatory schools. The Culinary Institute of America and New Zealand's Southseas Film and Television School are now in Singapore, with more of such institutions expected in the near future.
"Our objective is to make Singapore a 'Global Schoolhouse,' providing educational programmes of all types and at all levels - from pre-school to post-graduate institutions - [to attract] an interesting mix of students from all over the world," says Singapore's Minister For Foreign Affairs George Yeo.
Top Draw
A number of established foreign institutions have chosen to utilise Singapore as a launch pad for their Asian efforts.
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Insead's Singapore campus offers a programme that is identical to that of its Paris campus, and it has close to 400 MBA students from over 70 countries
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Insead
When Insead first considered venturing into Asia in 1997, there were doubts about the plan. But Insead stood firm in its decision to go global. "Insead considered 12 locations in all the Asia Pacific...but in the end, Singapore won," says Insead Asia's dean Hellmut Schutte. "Singapore wanted us, courted us and finally convinced us. No regrets so far. If we would have to take a decision today, we would choose Singapore again." Today, Insead's Singapore campus offers a programme that is identical to that of its Paris campus, and it has close to 400 MBA students from over 70 countries.
The University Of Chicago Graduate School Of Business (Chicago GSB)
In 2000, Chicago GSB picked Singapore as the new home for its Asian campus, over such countries as Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. Rated as one of the world's top 10 business schools by the Financial Times, Chicago GSB's arrival boosted the local industry with its prestigious programme, where only a third of applicants obtain entry. "The people on our faculty had a general sense that [Singapore] was a good place," says Beth Bader, managing director of Chicago GSB's Asian campus.
University Of New South Wales (UNSW)
UNSW was approached by EDB in 2003 to consider setting up a campus in Singapore, but it wasn't until a team visit to Singapore in 2004 that plans were set in motion. The UNSW team had toured the Biopolis - a centre for biomedical sciences in Asia - and saw that in less than two years, the S$500 million (US$300.6 million) research complex had been able to attract top talent and companies. "The Biopolis was proof of [the Singapore government's] commitment to building up science research here," says Professor John Ingleson, UNSW's deputy vice-chancellor.
And according to Jennie Lang, UNSW International's executive director: "Singapore appeals to us because it is a small island nation that isn't afraid to think big. It has boldly positioned itself as a highly strategic multi-faceted hub and, given its success in building these hubs, we believe Singapore is poised to become a leading education hub." UNSW is currently building a campus to house 15,000 students, of which 70 per cent will be foreign students.
DigiPen Institute Of Technology
In December 2005, renowned US computer animation and programming school DigiPen Institute of Technology announced its plans to set up an Asian campus in Singapore - its first campus outside the US. Their reasons for choosing the Republic were clear. "Singapore has a very solid education system that prepares students extremely well in the areas of math and science, which are essential for the study of computer simulation and game development," says Jason Chu, DigiPen's chief operating officer. "The country's respect for IP rights and ownership, and the fact that English is used every day, also make Singapore the logical choice for our Asian campus." EDB’s Tan adds, "The proposed DigiPen Singapore campus will complement Singapore's 'Global Schoolhouse' programme as we build up the specialised institutions sector, which will add to the vibrancy of the education environment here."
S.P. Jain Center Of Management
In another December 2005 announcement, leading Indian business school S.P. Jain revealed its plans to set up its third campus in Singapore. "Singapore is a success story with a thriving economy, notably in financial services and IT. Students from all over the world are keen to come to Singapore to learn and experience these service sectors first hand," says Nitish Jain, president of S.P. Jain. "Singapore's reputation of [being] a clean and safe city also helps, making it an attractive destination for students." Its global MBA programme is expected to attract students from all over the world, including large numbers from the Indian sub-continent, as well as the Middle East, the US and Europe.
The "Edupreneurial" Spirit
Several private school pioneers have gained prominence over the years, and they now form a vital part of Singapore's education industry.
The Stansfield Group
Founded in 1994, the Stansfield Group is the biggest private law school in the country, catering to those who want to study law, but not practice it. The Group is also well known for its programmes with The London School of Economics and Political Science. Currently, it has five branches in Singapore with about 3,500 students. Half of its student intake is from abroad - two-thirds of its international student population is from China, and it also has about 200 students from India.
Management Development Institute Of Singapore (MDIS)
This not-for-profit organisation was first established in 1956 as the Supervisory and Management Training Association of Singapore, running courses on such topics as industrial safety. In 1984, a name change signalled its beginnings as MDIS and heralded its move to offer a wider selection of courses. The institution is run by a voluntary governing council and senate, and it currently has three campuses and 8,500 students, of which 2,500 are from abroad. To keep its curriculum relevant, it works with eight universities to offer courses in areas like biotechnology and software engineering.
Singapore Institute Of Management (SIM)
Formerly an EDB unit, SIM was formed in 1964 to run management crash courses for Singaporean executives. The institute has since been privatised, with its Open University Centre becoming SIM University - the fourth university in the country. Its foreign student intake currently stands at 1,151, and making up the numbers are primarily business and accountancy students from China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Its international partners include University of London, Australia's RMIT University and the US-based George Washington University.
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