Participation of Autonomous University Undergraduates in In-person International Exposure Opportunities in Last Five Years

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education for local undergraduates at the Autonomous Universities, what is the proportion of students who have participated in in-person international exposure opportunities such as student exchange programmes and overseas internships in each year over the last five years.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Autonomous Universities (AUs) provide opportunities for undergraduates to gain in-person overseas exposure through exchanges, internships, entrepreneurial attachments and short-term immersion programmes.

From Academic Year (AY) 2017 to 2019, an average of around 20% of local undergraduates in the AUs participated in an in-person overseas exposure programme annually.

In-person overseas programmes were mostly halted in AY2020 and AY2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the easing of international border restrictions, the AUs are resuming overseas programmes, taking into consideration prevailing travel advisories and guidelines.