UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (Part-time undergraduate courses)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education if he can state the reasons why the University of Singapore discontinued its part-time evening undergraduate courses and whether the University will consider re-introducing them.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering this question on behalf of my Minister.

Two part-time evening undergraduate degree courses were formerly offered by the University of Singapore. The Bachelor of Accountancy Course was started in 1965-66 and was discontinued with effect from 1969-70. The Bachelor of Laws Course was started in 1957-58 and was discontinued with effect from 1960-61.

The part-time evening courses were discontinued because:

(a) the drop-out rate was high;

(b) the courses were uneconomical to conduct; and

(c) the recruitment of part-time teachers was difficult.

Statistics on the part-time evening Accountancy and Law undergraduate courses are given in the Tables (Cols. 423 - 424) which have been circulated. Twenty-six candidates were admitted to the Bachelor of Accountancy course in 1965. Of these, only three completed the course in minimum time, and one completed the course in the seventh year. Three of the 84 candidates admitted to the LLB course in 1957 converted to the full-time course. Of the remaining 81, only 11 completed the course in minimum time, and one completed the course in the seventh year. Results in subsequent years were also discouraging. Tables - Number of Graduates from Students admitted for Part-time Bachelor of Accountancy Course for the 1965-66 to 1969-70 Academic Years, Number of Graduates from Students admitted for Part-time Bachelor of Laws Course for the 1957-58 to 1960-61 Academic Years (Cols. 423 - 424)

The University is planning to introduce a part-time evening course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Technology. The course is aimed at upgrading technological skills of persons in relevant employment, in particular, Engineering diploma holders of the Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Technical College. The University has no immediate plans to reintroduce part-time evening undergraduate courses in the other faculties.