C299/08
13 November 2008
Curtin University of Technology will strengthen its presence in Asia with the opening of its second overseas centre today.
Curtin Singapore will expand the University’s international focus, following the opening of a campus in Sarawak, Malaysia in 1999 and the establishment of international teaching programs in 15 countries including China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Australian High Commissioner to Singapore Mr Doug Chester, and Singapore Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr S. Iswaran jointly launched Curtin Singapore at a special ceremony attended by 150 guests from government, business and education sectors. It opens its doors to students on 1 December 2008.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeanette Hacket, said that the University is recognised for its international focus, its cutting edge research and its quality teaching.
“The opening of Curtin Singapore demonstrates Curtin’s long-standing commitment to the delivery of international education, particularly in Asia,” Professor Hacket said.
“Curtin Singapore builds on our 20-year history with our partners in the country — the Marketing Institute of Singapore (MIS), Singapore Human Resource Institute (SHRI) and Singapore Institute of Materials Management (SIMM),” she said.
Singapore is Australia’s largest trading partner in South-East Asia and the provision of services to this market, including education, is growing at around 10 per cent per year.
Curtin Singapore will offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The first undergraduate degree offered will be a Bachelor of Commerce with a range of single and double majors. The new centre, managed by Navitas Ltd, would bring together the University’s Singapore programs on to one new state-of-the-art facility.
Initially, Curtin Singapore will offer Curtin Business School courses, but this will be expanded over time to include nursing, health sciences and humanities. The facility has the capacity to accommodate 4,500 students.
Navitas Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rod Jones, said Curtin Singapore would be popular with both local and international students.
“Curtin Singapore provides local students looking to complete a quality Australian degree with the opportunity to study at one of Australia’s most popular universities without having to leave Singapore,” he said.
“In addition, we expect that it will attract many international students from around the region who choose to pursue their studies in Singapore as it offers a secure, modern environment. Singapore has the advantage of being a regional business hub and of being geographically located closer to home than other international study destinations for these students.”
Curtin Singapore’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor and former head of the School of Accounting at Curtin’s Bentley Campus, Professor John Neilson, said he was looking forward to welcoming students to the new campus, located close to the heart of Singapore.
“Curtin Singapore will provide innovative programs of the highest academic standards through a quality teaching facility which will also provide the University with the opportunity to strengthen existing and develop new ties with local industry,” he said.
Curtin Singapore will offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in both full time and part time study modes. The first undergraduate degree offered will be the Bachelor of Commerce with a wide range of single and double majors available in a variety of disciplines. Master degrees in Accounting, Human Resources and Logistics and Supply Chain Management will also be offered.
Curtin University has the third highest international student population across Australian universities.
Modified: 13 November 2008
