AN institution that has often been perceived as Singapore's fourth university has been quiet amid the debate on the need for another publicly-funded university.
Now it has come out to clarify its calling: It is Singapore's first private university. And it caters to adult learners.
The confusion may have arisen when SIM University (UniSIM) was launched in 2005. It was then dubbed the fourth university perhaps because it was, literally, the fourth university to open in Singapore.
'We're the first private university,' stressed Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President of UniSIM, 'and the only one for adult learners approved by the Ministry of Education (MOE).'
ENROLMENT GREW
Since its inception, its enrolment has grown from 6,000 to 7,400 students.
The convocation ceremony for its second batch of graduands was held this morning.
Prof Cheong made this clarification at the outset of an exclusive interview with The New Paper yesterday.
UniSIM, which is licensed by MOE to confer its own diplomas and degrees, is privately-funded.
It runs on a $70-million fund from its parent - the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) - and on the fees it receives for its programmes.
The cost of a UniSIM business degree programme ranges from $20,000 to $25,000, far cheaper than if you studied in London, for example, where tuition fees range from $25,000 to $40,000 per year.
The current debate in Singapore, however, is about a fourth publicly-funded university that caters to fresh school leavers, said Prof Cheong.
So will this fourth university affect UniSIM's position?
'Not really,' he said. 'We were meant to cater to a niche market - those who would not have gone through the normal A-level or polytechnic route. We cater to the adult learners.'
Photo Illustration/ Simon Ang
The fourth university, however, will nonetheless change the market, he said. More A-level and polytechnic grads will be able to fulfill their wish to get a degree.
In that regard, there may be fewer who will go for part-time degrees.
Still, he is optimistic about UniSIM's prospects.
He said: 'The market is very large, and I hope we can grow this market.'
But, explained Prof Cheong, UniSIM is also different from private education providers that run programmes by overseas universities.
'We are a local university. What we offer to students is a recognised Singapore degree, approved by MOE, according to Singapore standards.'
He said that UniSIM offers a range of disciplines - from arts and social sciences, business, information and technology. And students can opt for modules from other departments.
To cater to the needs of working adults here, the university tries to partner industry players - such as the Tax Academy of Singapore, the Institution of Engineers Singapore and companies like Bluecoat Systems.
SKILLS, CERTIFICATION
That is so its students can acquire the skills and get certification to make them more employable.
Prof Cheong, a civil engineer with a doctorate from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, was with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for nearly 20 years.
He relinquished his post as Deputy President and Dean of School of Civil and Environmental Engineering there to take on the top job at UniSIM.
Prof Cheong is married to a senior manager in a hospital and they have two teenaged children.
The soft-spoken don feels that running a university is not just a matter of dollars and cents.
'If a university is just focused on business, then it's not the kind of university I want to be part of. UniSIM has a social mission.
'We cater to working adults and we recognise that they may have difficulties coming to study while they are balancing their work life and their family life.
'And we are very conscious that they are using their hard-earned money for their studies.'
He realises that for some students, paying for a programme can be difficult due to their low pay or family commitments.
The university sets aside money for scholarships and study awards to help these students upgrade and to this end, he hopes that he could get some corporate sponsors on board.
UniSIM is offering students, who may be considering going overseas, a viable alternative: 'To get a good degree, and keep their jobs, to progress in their career and stay with their families.'
