How does Singapore fare as an education hub?
Singapore’s
focus on its education system makes sense when you think of its meritocratic
branding, and its reliance on its people as a resource, given its lack of
natural resources. Given the result-oriented nature of Singapore, it’s
education system has since emerged as one of the toughest—drawing as much flak
for its survival-of-the-fittest stance, as it has praise. The challenge and
prestige of their education system (amongst the best in Asia), has seen a
steady increase of international students flocking to their shores.
However,
it is not just the students who are flocking. Lecturers, and even foreign
institutions and universities are making their way to the island’s sunny
shores, showing that everyone wants a piece of the pie. However, some foreign
universities have found a way to co-exist with local institutions. The
University of London is one good example. Instead of erecting an offshore
campus, it has integr\pated its courses into local institutions. Locally
renowned institutions like SIM University, Kaplan University and MAGES
Institute of Excellence all offer one of Universityof London’s various international programmes.
While
University of London’s International Programmes have always had a tradition of
being global, other foreign universities have also established themselves
locally, with universities such as Curtin even going so far as to set up a
Singapore campus.
The
creative education sectors especially, has seen an increase of foreign students
and academies in the last decade. Visual effects courses in particular, are
doing really well—blockbuster hits such as Godzilla and Pacific Rim have all
outsourced their work to Singapore, due to the increased quality of
infrastructure, support and talent pool.
While
foreign universities have made their mark in Singapore, locally founded
institutions have also stepped up their game. One good example would be MAGES
Institute of Excellence, set-up in 2010, the school has seen a rise in
prominence in the last 4 years. Recognizing job market needs, the school has
set up itself to specialize in tertiary education and professional training for
members of the creative technology industry. With courses ranging from visual effects courses specialization
to video game design and development, the institute has been rewarded with its
quality education and foresight by gaining recognition from the Council of
Private Education (CPE) with its Edutrust branding.
It
is institutions like MAGES that helps Singapore maintain its competitive
standing as an education hub. While not yet at the level of elite destinations
such as America (Harvard, Yale) and England (Oxford, Cambridge), it is clearly
the leading destination in its region, and one of the top destinations in Asia.
