Declining interest in engineering may spell bad news for ind
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Engineering departments at polytechnics are facing the problem of declining student numbers.
Educators warn this might be a dangerous trend as Singapore might not be producing enough quality engineers for an economy where engineering continues to be a core pillar.
Once one of the most coveted courses, engineering is now plagued by lack of interest.
"Engineering is not as glamourous as the other business or info tech," said one student.
"Government is promoting life sciences and not so much of engineering, that's why engineering is having a drop in enrollment," said another.
Polytechnics say the number of students choosing engineering as their first choice has fallen by half over the last six years.
Millions of dollars have already been invested in infrastructure used to teach engineering so a fall in enrollment numbers mean that these resources will be under-utilised.
To address the problem, the 5 polytechnics have set up a joint committee to promote the engineering discipline.
Over the next few months, they will be spending $300,000 on media campaigns, talks and exhibitions to attract more students.
Professor Low Teck Seng, Chairman, Engineering Joint Committee, Principal, Republic Polytechnic, said: "If we don't draw these young people into our engineering courses, we will not be able to supply industry with the right quality people to support the growth of the high technology industries. There has been a lot of talk of growing new areas, but it should not be at the expense of an industry which continues to underpin the growth and development of Singapore, that is engineering."
The Nanyang Technological University, long established for its engineering faculty, says it does not face the same problems as the polytechnics.
This is because the faculty continually reinvents itself, incorporating life sciences, and even high-tech design elements into its curriculum.
Dr Simon Yu, Vice Dean of Admissions, Nanyang Technological University, said: "We have broadened the curriculum significantly and in particular, we have this global immersion programme for them to participate and they can work up to one year in China or United States."
In keeping with the multidisciplinary approach, NTU will be announcing the launch of a new School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering this year. - CNA -
Bad... Next time, no engineers
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Cos the demand in the industry is less than the supply?
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This case, is because lack of interestOriginally posted by SnowFlag:Cos the demand in the industry is less than the supply? -
They can always hire engineers from China if they wanted, while the locals pursue their own interests in biomeds and cultural studies.Originally posted by SnowFlag:Cos the demand in the industry is less than the supply? -
Can we totally depend on foreigners?Originally posted by iveco:They can always hire engineers from China if they wanted, while the locals pursue their own interests in biomeds and cultural studies. -
Becoz Engineers are not highly paid as the rest of the positions....
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Nope... Start up pay for Eng is the highestOriginally posted by dcx:Becoz Engineers are not highly paid as the rest of the positions.... -
I mean there is an oversupply of ppl in engineering liao.
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Then we need a cap on engineering applicants. Those who aren't accepted due to the vacancy being filled should be made to do cultural studies. The units in this area are much more enlightening.Originally posted by SnowFlag:I mean there is an oversupply of ppl in engineering liao. -
Already it has dropped...Originally posted by iveco:Then we need a cap on engineering applicants. Those who aren't accepted due to the vacancy being filled should be made to do cultural studies. The units in this area are much more enlightening. -
Sian....I want to say that the demand in the industry for enginerring ppl isn't that much. Hence new students not interested to choose engineering.
There is already an oversupply in the engineering industry in general. -
got that many vacancies for eng work meh???
I tot the govt always import FT from China and India who are cheaper . Can we really compete with eng ppl from india and china? -
Old ind goes out, new comes in...Originally posted by mistyblue:got that many vacancies for eng work meh???
I tot the govt always import FT from China and India who are cheaper . Can we really compete with eng ppl from india and china?
Your Wafer Fab.... -
Seagate will move to thailand in 5 yrs. Maxtor is closing down one factory
Semi-d industry might need to move closer to the buyers in the supply chain so eventually these jobs might not exists in Singapore. Then these new eng ppl all have to go overseas and compete with the locals over there? -
Nope... Semiconductor will move outOriginally posted by mistyblue:Seagate will move to thailand in 5 yrs. Maxtor is closing down one factory
Semi-d industry might need to move closer to the buyers in the supply chain so eventually these jobs might not exists in Singapore. Then these new eng ppl all have to go overseas and compete with the locals over there?
What we are in at now is R&D ind, Wafer Fab, Medical Eng -
Then will they stop complaining about foreigners choking them off back home?Originally posted by mistyblue:Seagate will move to thailand in 5 yrs. Maxtor is closing down one factory
Semi-d industry might need to move closer to the buyers in the supply chain so eventually these jobs might not exists in Singapore. Then these new eng ppl all have to go overseas and compete with the locals over there?
IMO, we need less engineers and more cultural studies experts. Most of the readings in this field are from Western scholars. -
depends what kinda engineering.... i realised that there's a lot of new sound engineering courses loh... and too much for each polytechnic... i believe every poly got their own focus on course available... yet nw almost all competing to get students to get into their new sound engineering course... and feedbacks is that poly hire musicians to teach sound enginnering... is it true??