Monday, September 03, 2007
This article highlights the shock closure of the University of New South Wales Asia campus in Singapore. Many enlisted students have been left in a loss and their future hanging in thin air.
Firstly, let me identify two issues in this episode. Firstly, it would be the impact on Singapore’s education. NSW Asia offers a wide range of courses from business to biosciences. The pullout of the university has a great significance in that it is a stumbling block in Singapore’s efforts to become a global schoolhouse. Singapore is a country that has limited resources and to increase its status and reputation on the world map, foreign talent is crucial. NSW in Singapore was expected to help to increase international students from 80,000 to a massive 150,000. Imagine the revenue which would be brought in and the impact it would have on Singapore. Foreign talent would be drawn in, and local students will get to experience a novel way of education not found in local universities. The biochemistry industry is also booming in Singapore now, and NSW offers such courses too. Without NSW, the previously enlisted students would lose out as most cannot afford to go overseas and they have to miss a portion of university schooling due to the sudden pullout. Hence, the loss of the university is definitely a big blow to Singapore’s hopes of expanding its industries and reputation as an educational powerhouse.
The second issue is the accountability of the University and the Economic Development Board who initiated the project. From the perspective of a student, I might think that they were irresponsible. I believe that more effort should have been done to promote the university to local and foreign students. Could the university actually not afford to run with a financial burden, or were they just being cautious? Could the EDB have helped in easing costs the university would have to incur? From the student’s point of view, it is definitely a big issue as such decisions have made or broken their future. However, we have to think in the shoes of the university. I believe I lack understanding in that area. NSW is after all still a company which has to earn money, and if I were in their position, $140 million is too much a risk of a financial burden. It would be more worth it withdrawing then going bust in the middle of a business endeavour. Hence, looking from the economic side, the situation seems much more justifiable.
In conclusion, after reflecting on the article, my views have changed to a more balanced viewpoint. The two issues on the balance scale are definitely student welfare and financial issues. Would Singapore tilt the scale in favour of students, or would they be more cautious with such ventures in the future? Risky ventures might end up resulting in an economic downturn for Singapore. Hopefully, much more consideration and weighing of priorities would be done in the future to prevent such episodes from occurring again.
i'm emo @ 8:02 AM
