1. Newcastle Learning and Teaching Conference 21 March 2018
Delivering Newcastle Degrees in Partnership: The challenges and opportunities of delivering joint programmes in Singapore for a sustainable future in SE Asia. Matt Bentley, Head of Academic Operations, Newcastle University in Singapore
Newcastle Learning and Teaching Conference
21 March 2018

2. NU-SIT degrees - Blending Tradition with Innovation

3. Newcastle University operates out of three locations in Singapore:
SIT Buildings
Newcastle University operates out of three locations in Singapore:
Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Devan Nair Institute (NewRIIS)
Building
Building

4. Newcastle Research and Innovation Institute

5. SIT –Singapore Institute of Technology
Singapore’s newest autonomous University (since 2014)
Based in one SIT building at each of five polytechnic campuses
Interim central campus at Building
NU is based at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Marine, Chemical Engineering)
and Nanyang (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering)
Ngee Ann is the old word for Teochew (Chinese people originating from Guangdong Province in China)
Nanyang describes the countries of SE Asia surrounding the South China Sea

6. Newcastle University Locations at SIT
Nanyang Poly
NewRIIS
Ngee Ann Poly
1o North of Equator; tropical rainforest climate; 277 square miles; 5.6 Million population

7. SIT versus NU
SIT is Singapore’s University of Applied Learning and aims to be “a leader in innovative learning by integrating learning, industry and community”.
A new university, working very closely with industry and Singapore Government, nimble (able to respond quickly to changing demands)
Newcastle University has “always focused on academic excellence and the impact of our academic work”.
Traditional, Russell Group of 24 leading universities, research intensive

8. Challenges

9. Principal Challenges Trimester System Student Ability Learning Style
Three 12-week Trimesters (Sept-Dec; Jan-April; May-August)
One week recess period plus two weeks exams in each
Two weeks between Academic Years
Student Ability
Post-Polytechnic Diploma versus A-levels,
Returning NS-Men (after 2 years’ National Service), mature students
Year 1 & Year 2 Entry; some mixed Year 1 & Year 2 study
Learning Style
UK versus more US-style courses
Coming to terms with independent learning
Dependence on VLE course materials

10. Opportunities

11. Principal Opportunities
Collaboration
Collaboration with SIT staff at academic and professional service levels
Collaboration with polytechnic staff and staff in other universities (NUS, NTU)
Collaboration with Industry partners
Industry
Linking learning to the workplace through IWSP (Integrated Work Study Programme)
Industry-NU research projects
Employability
IWSP on to Final Year Project and into employment
Skills development in students

12. A Sustainable Future in SE Asia
International Recognition and Reputation
Being closer to the Singapore Government (SkillsFuture)
Recognised Overseas Partner of SIT
International Recruitment
Continued Presence in SE Asia
Beyond the current collaborative agreement with SIT (i.e. post-2020)
A new home on SIT’s Punggol campus from
Linking to Postgraduate Teaching and Research
Taught Masters Programmes at NewRIIS
International students
Vibrant research environment

13. An Example of NU’s Profile in Singapore

14. SIT Punggol Campus from 2021
Photo: SIT

15. The SIT – NU Marriage
Like most marriages there are challenges to be overcome in the early years.
Following those early years and the recent introduction of the joint degree programmes there have been new challenges.
The relationship is now maturing and we can look forward to a future with mutual respect, harmony and growth together.
The benefits to staff and students by working together will undoubtedly be greater that those of the separate parts.

16. Staff at Newcastle University in Singapore
Currently 713 students predicted to rise to >1000 over the next three years

17. Thank you
I would like to thank especially those academic staff and professional service staff who have contributed to this presentation by sharing ideas on the challenges and opportunities:
Sherry Chua, Arun Dev, Kheng-Lim Goh, Michael Lau, Jo-Ann Lee, Paul Liu, Joanne Poon, Naayagi Ramasamy, Anurag Sharma, Ivan Tam, Ming Tham, Xin Wang, Eugene Wong, Lok Woo, Xiuqi Wu, Chun Yang Yin.