Viola's Dreamworld

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

0 comments

Today, as I was sitting for the UNSW Australia English Competition, I was suddenly reminded of the closure of UNSW's branch in Singapore which was not too long ago.

Just after one semester of operation for its launch, when its campus was not even ready, UNSW Asia has pulled out. With the closure of such a renowned university (even more so to our students as we are all too familiar with the various UNSW examinations offered to us every year), it shows that anything is possible in today's world.

I remember my excitement when I first read about the news that UNSW Asia was to set up a campus here in SIngapore, ready in 2007 for all to attend. I remember my happiness and exhilaration at that moment, for UNSW has always been a revered university to me. I perceived it as possibly one of the top universities in the world in my opinion that I could aim for (you must understand that not everyone is Harvard/Oxford material).

I remember telling my parents at that point in time that I wanted to attend classes at UNSW Asia when it was ready. And I am sure I was only one of the many thousands who were extremely delighted with the news.

However, UNSW Asia Singapore disappointed us.

What was the main reason behind its closure? Apparently, the initial plan was to have an intake of 30% Singaporean students and 70% international students making up the rest of the cohort. Could it be that Singapore, being such a small country, failed to meet the quota of 70% of students, thus leading to the closure of the university campus?

If even such an established institution could let us Singaporeans down, then I am no longer sure of how secure our future education is.

However, I must emphasise the need for EDB to continue wooing foreign universities to set up branches in our little country. Do not let this one-time setback deter you from your efforts. Why woo foreign universities when we have our own local universities though?

There is a reason why foreign universities are popular with us. Many of us choose to study overseas mainly because we want to experience a new style of teaching. And exposure to the different teaching styles will be crucial in developing our adaptive skills. Foreign universities and local universities may be both teaching us, but the way they teach and the skills that they teach us differ.

Furthermore, we must remember that if we lose a large number of our students to foreign universities abroad, we might just lose a large proportion of our talented population. Some talents who have chosen to study overseas may not return after their term of study ends. They may have by then already been attracted to that particular country's way of life, and decide to settle there for good. What is Singapore to do if this happens to a large proportion of its population?

I guess this is another reminder for us to give careful thought to our future, and think carefully before we make any decisions regarding our future studies. Our future is in our own hands, and we will be the next generation of leaders who will help shape Singapore into who she will be in the future.

-when are you coming back? ;