UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (Number of students and Government grants in 1962/63)

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Education to state (a) the number of students studying in the University of Singapore in (i) 1962, and (ii) 1963; (b) the amount of the Government grants to the University in 1962/63; and (c) the basis on which such grants are made.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: The number of students studying in the University of Singapore in 1962 was 2,149 and in 1963 is 2,431.

The amount of Government grants to the University in 1962 was $8.5 million of which $400,000 was subject to Treasury sanction. For 1963, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly on the 14th of last month, the sum voted was $8,754,550 of which $254,550 is subject to Treasury sanction.

Grants are made on the basis of estimates of income and expenditure of the University submitted by the University authorities to the Government for its consideration. On the basis of past experience, the Government then decides on the annual grant to be made to the University.

Mr David Marshall: From the figures indicated by the Minister, there seems to be a 14 per cent increase in enrolment but not a proportionate increase in grant, is the Minister satisfied that the grant is adequate for the needs of the University for the year in question?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: I should like to say to the Member for Anson that it is not quite necessary for the annual grant to the University to be kept in proportion to the number of students. In fact, as the number of students increases, the cost to tile University per student should decrease. I will say this, that for 1962, on an estimated student enrolment of 2,120, the University requested a grant of $9.91 million. Of this, $680,000 was to be for research and post-graduate education. Although the Government grant was $1.4 million short of the University's expectation, it is reliably understood that despite an increased enrolment of 2,149 instead of 2,120 as estimated by the University, there will still be a surplus.