INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY PANEL

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY PANEL:

(Adoption of recommendations): 3.

Dr Lily Neo asked the Minister for Education whether he will adopt the recommendations by the International Academic Advisory Panel convened here recently and, if so, what are the recommendations.

The Minister of State for Education (Mr Gan Kim Yong) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the IAAP’s recommendations focused on three main areas - developing research and teaching excellence in our universities, increasing diversity in Singapore’s tertiary education sector and investing in lifelong learning.

In its deliberations, the IAAP strongly endorsed the development of the three autonomous universities into research-intensive universities renowned also for their excellence in teaching. This is in line with MOE’s view that teaching and research excellence are equally important for our three universities. As our universities have traditionally had a strong teaching role, more recent developments have focused on supporting them to develop research excellence. Funding for R&D in the universities has been increased through MOE’s enhanced Academic Research Fund (AcRF). Starting from the next financial year, MOE will be funding the indirect cost of research in the universities to ensure that resources are not inadvertently diverted from teaching to research. The universities can also bid for additional research funding from A*STAR and the National Research Foundation.

The IAAP recognised and supported the Government’s ongoing efforts to widen opportunities and provide more choices for Singaporeans to obtain a tertiary education in Singapore. These include, for example, the establishment of links between our polytechnics and foreign specialised institutions (FSIs) to offer a wider range of degree programmes here. Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s collaboration with Wheelock College and NTUC Childcare Regional Training and Resource Centre to offer a degree programme in early childhood studies was the first of such tie-ups under this initiative. Going forward, MOE will continue to encourage more Poly-FSI tie-ups. MOE will also be studying the feasibility and options for establishing a quality liberal arts college in Singapore, as suggested by the IAAP. If established, the college would provide a distinctive educational experience for our students and further boost the reputation of Singapore’s university sector.

As the economy becomes more complex and knowledge-based, the IAAP felt that Singaporeans will require more years of education and will need to take full advantage of opportunities for lifelong learning.
At the post-secondary level, the Government already provides substantial subsidies to our educational institutions to keep fees affordable. To encourage Singaporeans to acquire more years of education in the form of quality post-secondary programmes, the Government is establishing post-secondary education accounts, which can be used to pay for tuition fees at publicly-funded post-secondary institutions, UniSIM and WDA-accredited lead training providers.

In line with the IAAP’s recommendations, we will also do more to encourage Singaporeans to participate in lifelong learning, including increased funding for adult worker training institutions, implementation of more Place and Train programmes for workers and increased subsidies for adult learners taking up post-diploma courses in the polytechnics. Going forward, the Government will continue to study how best we can provide continuous learning opportunities to every Singaporean, and encourage them to see this as a way of life.

Dr Lily Neo (Jalan Besar): May I ask MOS whether he agrees with Prof. Brown, the IAAP member, who said that the IAAP panel believed that Singapore could become an international centre for R&D on par with the best around the world? How would this add value to the future of the Singapore's economy and how does MOE plan to achieve this vision?

Mr Gan Kim Yong: From Singapore's point of view, indeed, we can have the opportunity to become an international centre for R&D. In fact, we have already moved ahead in this direction. The Government, as I have mentioned earlier, has invested in the R&D efforts, both at the university as well as the research institution levels. Moving forward, we will continue to do so in a very targeted way to develop the R&D capability in Singapore. And how does this contribute to our economy? As we move forward towards a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, I think R&D will play a very important part to generate economic activities at the higher level and to also attract talents to Singapore.

Mr Speaker: Last question, Dr Neo.

Dr Lily Neo: Thank you, Mr Speaker. May I ask MOS how does he plan to increase the take-up rate of Singaporeans pursuing the Ph.D and Masters courses since only 10% of those doing such courses in NUS and NTU are Singaporeans? Could he elaborate on this?

Mr Gan Kim Yong: I think the universities will have to continue to make their research programmes more attractive. Through Government funding, we will also provide opportunities for Singaporeans who are interested in pursuing R&D to have opportunities to pursue their interests in Singapore. It is a long-term effort. We would not be able to see results overnight, but with sustained effort from the universities and the Government, we would be able to achieve our objectives.