THE University of New South Wales (UNSW) based in Sydney, Australia, and the Singapore Government announced plans to establish Singapore's first foreign university.
UNSW Singapore will be the first wholly-owned and operated research and teaching campus to be established overseas by an Australian university and will be UNSW's first offshore campus.
Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo and UNSW's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Prof John Ingleson jointly announced details of the project in Singapore last week.
Prof Ingleson said that UNSW Singapore will be a major research and teaching institution that will be independently governed and run by UNSW.
“This sets it apart from most offshore universities which are primarily teaching-only institutions. It is also unique in that there will be no third-party involvement,” he said, UNSW Singapore will be built on a site near the CBD at South Changi. The campus will offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees and will include extensive research laboratories.
“We are honoured that the Singapore Government has chosen UNSW to spearhead its vision to develop Singapore as a hub of educational excellence in the Asian region,” Prof Ingleson said.
The University's exceptionally strong regional reputation is a key factor that influenced the Government's decision to invite UNSW, ahead of a range of other world-class universities, to establish a campus on its shores.
'UNSW has been engaged in the Asian region for more than 50 years. This initiative demonstrates our continuing commitment to the region and we are particularly delighted to have the opportunity to establish a comprehensive research and teaching institution here,” said Prof Ingleson. UNSW Singapore will commence enrolling students from February 2007. The campus will have the capacity to enrol a maximum of 15,000 students, of which at least 70% will be drawn from overseas.
Did you find this article insightful?
