NANYANG UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS FOR OLD-SYSTEM STUDENTS OF NGEE ANN COLLEGE

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Education if he will request the appropriate authorities to examine the possibility of examinations being set by Nanyang University for the old-system students of Ngee Ann College and the conferment of degrees by Nanyang University on those students who pass the examinations.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the courses available at Ngee Ann College, being mainly technical and technological in nature, are widely different from the academic courses at Nanyang University. It is, therefore, not possible to work out a scheme whereby students of Ngee Ann College can sit for the degree examinations of Nanyang University.

However, Ngee Ann students are free to apply for admission to Nanyang University and seek exemption from such parts of the University's degree courses as may have been covered in Ngee Ann College. To what extent such exemption may be granted is a matter for the Nanyang University authorities to decide.

The Member for Thomson is no doubt aware that Ngee Ann students under the present system are eligible for degrees conferred by the college. Of the last batch of Ngee Ann graduates, 14 have been selected by the Public Service Commission for appointment in the civil service.