Monday, August 11, 2008

Singapore's Fourth University To Be Located In Changi

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 11 August 2008

Singapore's fourth public-funded university will open its doors in 2011, offering programmes in Engineering and Applied Science, Business and Information Technology, and Architecture and Design.

The disciplinary areas chosen for the new university's initial offerings will serve Singapore's economy and manpower needs over the medium term.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has appointed Philip Ng Chee Tat, CEO of property developer Far East Organisation, as chairman of the steering committee to oversee the establishment of the new university.

The committee will comprise leaders from the academia, industry and public sector.

One of the committee's main tasks is to develop a masterplan for the development of the new university's permanent campus and to locate a temporary campus in the interim.

It will also appoint the board of trustees and management team for the institution, which includes an international search for the president of the new university.

The steering committee will guide the development of the new university's programmes and identify suitable and reputable overseas universities to form partnerships and collaborations.

The new university's campus will be located right next to the Changi Business Park, which is home to high technology businesses and knowledge-intensive facilities of leading companies such as IBM.

MOE said the location will offer the new university opportunities to develop a vibrant, industry-academia ecosystem around the campus, with possible link-ups with companies nearby.

The new campus will be built on the plot of land that was previously set aside for the University of New South Wales' (UNSW) Singapore campus.

MOE is conducting a public consultation on the naming of the new university and members of the public can submit their ideas online at www.moe.gov.sg/name-the-uni. - CNA/so

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