![](media/image1.png){width="1.2in" height="1.2in"}

![](media/image3.wmf)

#### Country Feature: SINGAPORE

**Singapore has always viewed its people as its only economic
resource.** The strong education culture in Singapore is evident from
the hundreds of prestigious scholarships offered to academically
outstanding citizen-students each year by the government and by private
sector companies to study in local and foreign universities. Parents,
including those who had not benefited from a university education, make
great personal sacrifices to ensure that their children receive a good
education and enjoy upward mobility in Singapore\'s meritocracy.

The present economic slowdown has not seriously dampened this demand and
has reinforced the importance of education. **The country\'s three local
universities admit approximately 16,000 students each year (11,000
undergraduates and 5,00 graduates). Another 10,000 Singaporeans go
abroad each year for their university education of which approximately
70% are undergraduate students and the remainder is graduate level.**

The United States and the UK tie for second place, drawing about 1,500
Singaporean students each year. The rest head to Canada and New Zealand.
60% of students that study abroad choose Australia because of the
following main reasons: 1) Proximity to Singapore; 2) More affordable
tuition and living expenses which is supported in part by Australia\'s
weaker currency; and 3) strong and consistent marketing efforts by
Australian Universities. Moreover, Australian universities consistently
and strongly market their programs in Singapore. In additional to
individual university marketing efforts, Australian schools work with
the IDP Education Australia (IDP -an independent not-for-profit
organized owned by 39 of Australia\'s Universities) and also with the
Australian High Commission to advertise their programs, reach out to
students at education fairs and make visits to local junior colleges and
polytechnics. **Australian Universities also understand the local
education system well and offer generous transfer credits for
Singapore\'s polytechnic diploma graduates, which is the equivalent of
an American associate degree. This allows students to complete their
studies in about two years thus lowering the overall cost of their
education.**

**Singapore may not offer a huge market for U.S. schools, yet it offers
impressive quality.** Universities have found Singaporean students to be
serious, disciplined learners who help to advance the quality of
academic and campus life. In addition, Singaporeans experience no
language or cultural difficulties on American campuses as they come from
a cosmopolitan city where English is both the \"lingua franca\" and the
medium of instruction.

After attending primary schools between the ages of 7 and 12,
Singaporean students undergo either 4 or 5 years of secondary education,
depending on their academic abilities, culminating in the U.K. General
Certificate of Education Ordinary Level examination.

**Upon completion of their secondary education, the academically better
qualified students usually go to a junior college for a 2 year
pre-university course, leading to the U.S. General Certificate of
Education Advanced Level examination, the results of which are used to
apply for admission to universities.**

Generally those who do not qualify for JC\'s go to one of the 5
polytechnics, namely the Singapore, Ngee Ann, Temasek, Nanyang and
Republic Polytechnics. **These institutions offer technical and
para-professional training in business, engineering, information
technology, maritime studies, health sciences and healthcare (including
nursing), media and communication, design, food science, tourism and
hospitality management, among others.** Others who do not make it to
either the junior colleges or polytechnics may pursue vocational
training at the Institute of Technical Education.

### The above article is excerpted from excerpts of the following document *University Education* by Mr. Weng Hee Ho, Commercial Specialist in the U.S. Commercial Service Singapore office

####  U.S. Department of Commerce Promotional Events in 2004

-   **May 11-16, 2004: Study USA Japan -- 5 City Tour**

The fair will take place in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka.
Contact me for information or see our website at
<http://www.buyusa.gov/studyusa>

-   **June 21-25, 2004: A2 Int'l Education Fair in Istanbul, Ankar, &
    Izmir, Turkey** This event will attract considerable attention of
    the students who intend to study abroad. By participating in this
    fair, American organizations will have the opportunity to meet
    students, advisers, recruiters and consulting companies from
    different cities in Turkey and neighboring countries, as well as to
    establish study abroad agents. A2 International is a significant
    education organization and one of Turkey\'s well-known fair
    organizers. Last year\'s fair attracted 43 foreign institutions and
    a total of 4,000 students in the three major cities.

-   **October 27-29, 2004: World Didac in Basel, Switzerland**

13th International Exhibit for Educational Equipment, Supplies,
Services, and On-Line Learning, Basel, ***Switzerland***. Approximately
550 exhibitors and over 35,000 visitors from 70 countries from Europe,
Asia and South America.

-   **June 23-27, 2004: Study USA Week in Israel**

The U.S. Commercial Service at the American Embassy in ***Israel*** is
organizing \" Study USA Week\" June 23, 24 and 27 in Tel Aviv and June
25, 2004 in Jerusalem - in cooperation with

the United States-Israel Education Foundation (USIEF) and
America-Mideast Education and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST).

This is a great opportunity for American suppliers of post-secondary
educational services to tap into a demand represented by over 30,000
requests for information on studying in the United States received each
year. This year, there are 3,458 Israeli students studying in the United
States and 232 Palestinians from the ***West Bank*** and ***Gaza***.

-   **September 27-30, 2004: Europe MBA Fair**

Stockholm, ***Sweden***; Zurich, ***Switzerland***; and Vienna,
***Austria*** from 9/27/2004 -- 9/30/2004. A pivotal platform for
international MBA marketing.

***New* Market Research**

-   ***Saudi Arabia***: Technical Training

-   ***China***: Education And Training Market

-   ***Israel***: Opportunities for U.S. Education Providers in Israel

-   ***Chile***: New National Registry of Certified English Speakers

-   ***West Bank/Gaza:*** Opportunites for U.S. Education Providers

-   ***Singapore***: University Education

-   ***Italy*:** Italian students attracted by U.S. MBA programs

-   ***China***: Guangdong Training Industry

-   ***United Kingdom***: Education & Training Market

-   ***Taiwan***: Manpower Training & Development

-   ***Taiwan***: Higher Education