Edvantage - Foreign scholars closely tracked

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Foreign scholars closely tracked

Edvantage | Wed Feb 22 2012

This was disclosed by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Sim Ann in Parliament last Friday.

SINGAPORE - The academic performance of foreign scholars here are closely tracked, and if their performance are not up to scratch, the scholarship is withdrawn.

This was disclosed by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Sim Ann in Parliament last Friday, in response to a question from Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong, on whether the Ministry of Education (MOE) tracked the performance of the scholarship holders during their studies and whether they fulfilled their obligation to work here after graduation.

Ms Sim replied that most scholars serve out their bonds, but the few who failed to fulfill their obligations were made to pay liquidated damages.

Ms Sim added that around 800 pre-tertiary and 900 undergraduate students from non-Asean countries are awarded scholarships to study here each year, with these scholarships covering tuition and accommodation.

These study awards cost $14,000 for pre-tertiary students and between $18,000 and $25,000 for undergraduates, reported The Straits Times.

Last month, a written reply by MOE to another foreign-student-related question raised by Mr Yee had stated that 150 scholarships are given to Asean students at pre-tertiary level every year, and 170 to undergraduates.

In another query from Mr Yee on Friday, he asked if the quality of scholars from fast-growing countries like China had fallen, as they were more prosperous and could choose to study elsewhere.

Ms Sim replied that the quality of scholars has been maintained over the years, and that this was an issue the ministry viewed very seriously.

She added that foreign scholars are meant to increase the country's manpower pool and anchor investors and employers who can in turn provide more jobs for Singaporeans.

As an indicator of how foreign scholars have performed, Ms Sim shared that around 45 per cent of them complete their undergraduate studies with a second-upper class honours or better, compared with only 32 per cent of Singaporeans who do as well.

candicec@sph.com.sg

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