Local Universities' Support of Artists and Sportsmen

Mr Mark Chay asked the Minister for Education what more can be done by our local Universities in supporting the pursuits of our artists and sportsmen.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: As part of their educational mission, the Autonomous Universities (AUs) are committed to helping students develop holistically through academic and co-curricular programmes, including through arts and sports.

Students have opportunities to appreciate and participate in a wide variety of arts- and sports-related activities. These include avenues such as arts and sports student groups, events and competitions, concerts and inter-faculty or inter-university games, and taking elective modules on the sports or arts. The AUs provide support for these activities, for instance, through the provision of theatres, sports halls or suitable equipment.

The AUs further support student artists and athletes by providing them with arts and sports facilities and training; opportunities to participate in national, regional or international competitions; and facilitating their training and participation through arrangements such as Leave of Absences, adjusted academic loads and e-learning or e-assessment modes if they are overseas. Talented artists and sportsmen may apply for scholarships and grants, along with talent development programmes with networking and training opportunities.

Aspiring artists and sportsmen who wish to further their education in the field can apply for sports and arts degree programmes at the AUs. In addition to the AUs, LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) offer publicly-funded programmes for students who wish to pursue tertiary arts education pathways. A new university of the arts will also be formed within the next three years by an alliance between the two institutions and will strengthen tertiary arts education pathways in Singapore.