The Bachelor of Technology Programme at NUS Professor POO Aun Neow Faculty of Engineering, NUS 19 th October, 2010, NUS WCCEE 2010

Singapore Facts & Figures NUS Area: 690 sq km Population: 5.0mResidents: 3.7m GDP: S$265b (US$204b) GDP per Capita: S$53,143 (US$40,880) ( 2009 figures - ) Singapore’s successful development since independence some 50 years ago has been due in no small part to the high value it placed on education, by both government and many in its population. WCCEE October, Singapore.

Education in Singapore  “Singapore believes in education and, for 2007, about 20% of the national budget has been allocated for education with almost half of this on tertiary education.”  “Our polytechnics and universities play a critical role… for a growing and increasingly high value economy.” (Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister of Education. 28 March 2007) WCCEE October, Singapore.

“Every student must … go as far as you can.” “Our education system has been successful... We will continue to improve.” “We will create multiple pathways … the Government is investing $5.5 billion over 5 years to build up Continuing Education and Training.” (Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, August 2010) Education in Singapore WCCEE October, Singapore.

Singapore Education System Figures based on Year 2009 The school system WCCEE October, Singapore.

Singapore Education System Figures based on Year 2009 Engineering Education Many polytechnic graduates aspire for an engineering degree. But university places are limited. WCCEE October, Singapore. (4 years)

Singapore Education System Figures based on Year 2009 Many go overseas right after polytechnic. Engineering Education Overseas Studies Many others left after working and saving for a few years. This caused significant disruptions to their employers’ operations WCCEE October, Singapore. (4 years)

Singapore Education System Figures based on Year 2009 And many more were not able to fulfill their dreams because of family commitments. Engineering Education Overseas Studies WCCEE October, Singapore. (4 years)

Bachelor of Technology at NUS Introduced in 1995 primarily: l To provide an opportunity for polytechnic graduates working in the local industry to study for a good engineering degree without having to leave their jobs and families. l To contribute to the development of the engineering manpower needed for Singapore’s increasingly knowledge-based economy. Operating Parameters: l To be financially self-sustaining. l To maintain the high academic standard. WCCEE October, Singapore.

Approach l Take full advantage of its position within NUS with its well-established BEng Programme, high quality staff and excellent teaching facilities. l To reduce cost, time and effort, avoid re-inventing the wheel. l Aa far as possible use existing systems, operating procedures and policies and adjust only to meet the special needs of the BTech students and the BTech Programme. WCCEE October, Singapore. Bachelor of Technology at NUS

Program Structure l All students admitted must have polytechnic diploma and preferably some working experience. l Students granted exemptions of one year of the four-year full-time B.Eng programme – BTech curriculum maps the final 3 years of the 4-year BEng course. l Courses specially tailored for students with polytechnic background working in industry. WCCEE October, Singapore. Bachelor of Technology at NUS

Figures based on Year 2009 WCCEE October, Singapore. Bachelor of Technology at NUS (4 years)

Programme delivery l Use the same staff teaching the BEng courses, but remunerate them “on a consulting basis” on a willing- buyer/willing-seller basis. l Fully utilize the same laboratory and other physical facilities during the “3 rd shift”. Such excellent and expensive facilities would otherwise become obsolete as time passes anyway. l Classes are held only during the evenings and on Saturdays, as all students hold full-time jobs. l No “long vacation” to allow students to complete in shorter time. WCCEE October, Singapore. Bachelor of Technology at NUS

Some key numbers l Currently 5 programmes: Chemical, Electronics, Industrial & Management, Manufacturing, and Mechanical. l Student enrolment: 1200 l Graduated: 1900 l Tuition Fees: S$36,000 (US$27,000) l Or S$9,000 (US$6,750) per year l Profile of students: l Age: 20 to 60 years; Median: 30 l Also from China, India, Myanmar, etc. WCCEE October, Singapore. Bachelor of Technology at NUS

Accreditation l Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) l Professional Engineers Board (PEB) l Engineering Council (UK) to Master of Engineering level l Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) of Singapore and thus recognized under the Washington Accord. WCCEE October, Singapore. Bachelor of Technology at NUS

Bachelor of Technology Programme Some Contributions of Programme l Contribute to local community and industry, without cost to FoE/NUS/public. (Save taxpayers $150m thus far?) l Appreciated by many of its graduates: “Without the second chance provided by the BTech Programme, I would never have had the chance of getting a degree and upgrading myself…” a graduate from Class of 2004 l Additional income welcomed by staff, both academic and non-academic, and graduate students. l Good annual surpluses. (Breakeven enrolment: 300) l Faculty finds teaching BTech students a different useful experience, good industrial contacts. WCCEE October, Singapore.

Admission Statistics

Student Enrolment Statistics

Graduate Statistics

Performance of BTech students WCCEE October, Singapore.

Performance of BTech students WCCEE October, Singapore.

Bachelor of Technology Programme Comments by external examiner “Good course, well executed serving a real need, in short… excellent. “They (the students) felt the course had been very worthwhile and were now looking forward to moving to better paid jobs. “…the graduates deserves greater respect for having achieved the same academic level whilst holding down a full-time job.” (Professor John Midwinter, vice-provost at UCL and past President of IEE) WCCEE October, Singapore.

Bachelor of Technology Programme Performance of Graduates In a recent survey among our graduands: 98% were promoted after joining the B.TECH programme with about half just before or after completing their course. Close to 70% indicated that the B.TECH course contributed directly to their promotions. 100% indicated that what they study in the B.TECH course were useful to their work with almost 70% indicating that these were useful to a large extent. WCCEE October, Singapore.

End of Presentation Thank you. WCCEE October, Singapore.