Singapore takes a leaf out
Times News Networks Sunday, May 14, 2006
The city-state is aggressively marketing its institutions in India
through educational fairs
In just the last couple of years, the number of Singaporean educational
institutions marketing their courses in India has doubled and that is
set to rise further.
Courses in business and management, engineering (electronic, mechanical,
chemical, aeronautical), computing and IT are very popular with Indian
students who have traditionally been attracted to undergraduate and
post-graduate degree programmes offered by Singapore's public
universities and private institutions.
"But of late there has also been a growing interest in diploma
programmes offered by polytechnics, which have university-styled
campuses with international standard research facilities," Nirmala
D'Souza, marketing officer, southern & eastern India, Sri Lanka &
Maldives, of the Singapore Tourism Board's education division, told ET
recently.
Among the big draws in Singapore are the big international education
brand names such as INSEAD, Chicago Business School which have set up
campuses. MIT, Stanford, Georgia Institute of Technology and Johns
Hopkins University have partnerships with the local universities
National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and
Singapore Management University. More recently, University of New South
Wales has set up its campus in Singapore and Cornell University is tying
up with Nanyang Technological University to offer a joint masters
management in hospitality programme.
With a view to keeping a check on the quality delivery of educational
offerings, Singapore has recently launched the new education excellence
framework. The aim is protecting student interests and building high
quality private education organisations (PEO).
The framework focuses on three key components -- academic excellence,
organisational excellence and good student protection and welfare
practices -- providing assurance of stringent quality and welfare
structures that will protect the interests of all international students
studying in Singapore.
While the Singapore Quality Class for PEOs focuses on business
excellence, the CaseTrust for Education Scheme gives international
students the added assurance that the PEOs have proper systems and
practices in place to look after their welfare and interest. Effective 1
September 2005, only private schools and institutions that have attained
CASETrust are permitted to recruit international students.
Further, a new student services centre has been set up in Singapore to
provide a one-stop service centre on student matters, catering to
international students and their parents. The centre will provide
information on the education system, educational institutions and course
offerings, and also access to education counselling.
Singapore is aggressively marketing its institutions in India through
educational fairs across the country. "For the Indian market our slogan
is World Class Education is Closer Than You Think. We are telling
students that they could actually receive a branded university education
without having to fly to Europe or the US," a senior STB official said.
Finally, strong industry links with access to careers in over 7000 MNCs
make Singapore just the right launch pad for Indians seeking global jobs
after studies. Add to that a strong cultural affinity with home and a
safe, efficient and friendly environment and you sure have the Sling
Thing for Indian students.
IDG
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