NANYANG UNIVERSITY GRADUATES (Admission to higher degree courses at University of Singapore)

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for Education if he will as-certain from the University of Singapore authorities whether consideration has been given to the admission of Nan-yang University graduates to higher degree courses at the University of Singapore.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the University of Singapore now admits Nanyang University graduates as candidates for Master's degrees. Generally, for admission as a candidate for a Master's degree, a person must be a graduate of the University of Singapore or a graduate of such other university as the Senate may approve, and must have obtained a degree with honours and must submit evidence of adequate training and ability to under-lake the proposed course.

However, exceptions are made for graduates of universities which do not award degrees with honours. Graduates of such universities, including Nanyang University, can therefore be considered for admission as Master's candidates provided the Faculties concerned are of the view that they are of exceptional merit. They must take a qualifying examination of a standard equivalent to that of the University's own honours examination. If the Senate is assured by the Faculties concerned that the candidates have reached the honours level in the qualifying examination, it will then consider their admission as Master's candidates in the normal manner.

The University of Singapore has admitted two Nanyang University B.A, graduates to the Master's courses in Arts. Five Nanyang University B.Sc, graduates who have obtained the Diploma in Fisheries from the University of Singapore have also been admitted as Master of Science candidates doing research in the field of fishing.