In a similar effort Singapore and Germany are looking at educational exchanges, and these two have already signed two agreements in this regard on Monday.
The Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Nanyang Plytechnic (NYP), and German educational institutes will collaborate to achieve the desired ends. The agreement has come out as the first items on the agenda of Prime Minister Lee Hsient Loong’s visit to Europe this week.
Singapore is impressed with the strengths of Germany’s educational institutes in preparing students with all necessary skills that the ever developing German industry asks for. That’s what Singapore aim to learn regarding this particular aspect of German efficiency.
The signing between NTU and the Dresden University was witnessed by Prime Minister Leee and Saxony’s Minister-President Stainslaw Tillich. Under the guidelines of this agreement both universities will look to derive research collaborations and introducing joint-doctorate programs in fields of latest interest like nanotechnology and bioengineering.
The agreements also mention the exchange of students and stage on all academic levels to accomplish the intended target. The Gustav Anton Zeuner vocational school will also establish a link an agreement with the NYP as an effort to collaborate on research and development projects and precision engineering-related activities.
Commenting on the interest that Singapore showed in the German approach towards technical education with its apprenticeship schemes, Mr. Lee said, “We have had Skills, talking about how we can open up these paths for our people, to develop themselves as they progress in their careers, as they gain experience in their actual jobs and I think there is much to learn from the German experience.”
While expressing his interest in learning back from Singapore’s successful education system, Saxony’s Minister-President Stanislaw Tillich commented, “What could we do if we have seen how it has been organised in Singapore or how it is organised in Saxony, and then learn or take the best and implement it in our own systems?”
With this progress, both sides are looking to find efficient solutions for the similar challenges they face like development of high-quality education and assistance to people to adapt to a world changing at an uncertain, rapid pace.