NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

To provide the manpower needed for Singapore's restructured economy, the National University of Singapore (NUS) will increase its student intake in all areas of study. The present enrolment of 9,000 students will rise to 15,000 students by 1985. The largest increase will be in Engineering. The Faculties of Accountancy and Business Administration, Architecture and Building, Arts and Social Sciences will also increase their enrolments significantly.

Of the Engineering students, 2,500 will study at the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) which will be set up in 1982 at the former Nanyang University Campus in Jurong. A Master Plan for the development of the NTI has been drawn up. The NTI will offer undergraduate engineering degree courses aimed at producing the practice-oriented engineers required by industry. The NUS will produce the more academically-oriented engineers who will go into research and development.

Recruitment of teaching staff is being stepped up to cater for the increased student population. The University aims for a staffstudent ratio of 1:10 for all faculties except Medicine and Dentistry which, because of their service functions to the public, will have lower staff-student ratios of 1:4 and 1:6 respectively. To cater for the increase in student enrolment and staff, the Kent Ridge Campus will be further developed to provide better and additional facilities to all faculties. Additional lecture theatres, increased library accommodation and a new hall of residence will be built.

The NUS introduced its first MBA programme on a part-time basis in the academic year 1980-81. The very high quality of the students admitted to this course has encouraged the University to continue with the part-time programme. A full-time MBA programme is under consideration.

Teaching in Computer Science will be stepped up. The University will establish an Institute of Systems Science to increase skills in data processing through training courses and to carry out research in software development.

A new department of Japanese Studies will be established with assistance from the Japanese Government. Areas of study offered by the department will include not only the study of the Japanese language, but also Japanese economy, history and philosophy.

In line with Singapore's drive to upgrade its economy, NUS will expand its research activities and seek close interaction with industrial and other external research bodies. Research funds as a percentage of the University's total budget will be progressively and substantially increased.

TONY TAN KENG YAM Minister of Education and Vice-Chancellor National University of Singapore