Channel NewsAsia - 1 hour 2 minutes ago
SINGAPORE: The Education Ministry will achieve its target of providing 25 percent of each cohort with a place in one of Singapore’s three publicly—funded universities this year.
This target will be reached two years ahead of schedule.
Minister of State for Education, Rear Admiral Lui Tuck Yew, told Parliament on Tuesday that there will be 14,700 freshmen places this year and an additional 900 places next year.
Referring to the longer term target of having enough university places for at least one third of each student cohort by 2015, RADM Lui said that would require an additional 2,400 university places per year.
This can be achieved by building a fourth government—funded university, along with a Liberal Arts College.
RADM Lui gave parliamentarians an inkling on what is being considered for the fourth government—funded university. He said feedback strongly called for it to offer subjects in Design, Engineering and Business, and 500 places could be offered in its first intake.
As for the proposed Liberal Arts College, the National University of Singapore has submitted a proposal to establish a Liberal Arts College as a self—contained autonomous entity, similar to the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory or the NUS—Duke Graduate Medical School.
The Singapore Management University is also looking at offering a liberal arts education as it expands its programmes.
RADM Lui said the government will study their proposals further before making its recommendation. — CNA/so