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SINGAPORE – Raffles Institution alumnus Valerie Lu, 19, was heading to the United States to begin her undergraduate studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art this August, but the pandemic has made her rethink her plans.
After taking into account the impending economic uncertainties and the high cost of studying abroad, last week he applied for a place in the new design and artificial intelligence undergraduate course offered by the Singapore Technological University (SUTD).
The university, which delayed the start date of its academic year from May to September 14 of this year, launched another admission exercise from May 4 to serve people like Ms. Lu.
In addition to organizing online briefings on its various programs, SUTD, like the five other autonomous universities, has accepted online admissions, including conducting interviews for shortlisted applicants.
He said more than 100 A-level holders and polytechnic diploma holders have attended his online briefings so far. Three other briefings will be held on Friday (May 15).
The university, which offers four other undergraduate courses: in architecture and sustainable design; engineering product development; engineering and design systems; and information systems technology and design: He said he received another round of applications and will begin interviewing shortlisted candidates next week.
University officials said their briefings serve two groups of potential applicants.
One group is made up of polytechnic diploma holders who are providing full-time national service and are unable to meet the previous May start date.
A larger group includes Singaporeans like Ms. Lu who have decided to apply to a local university, rather than go abroad.
SUTD said this round of applicants will be evaluated against the same holistic criteria used for all of its applicants. In addition to the ability to cope with the academic rigor of the courses, the university also watches over those who do well in teams, are intellectually curious, and are comfortable with practicing.
Ms. Lu, who will be interviewed online next week, said she hopes to get a place at SUTD.
“I was determined to go to the United States, but when the pandemic struck, I was no longer sure because, despite the partial scholarship, it would have cost my parents much more. Also, no one knows how foreign travel in the next few months.”
Ian Ng, a 21-year-old alumnus of the St Joseph’s Institution, who has a place to study applied and computational mathematics at the University of Notre Dame in the USA. In the US, she echoed Ms. Lu’s comments when she said she decided to search local universities because of the pandemic disruptions, especially in the United States.
“I was interested in going abroad, in part because of the exposure I will have. But when the pandemic started, my parents said I should reconsider, as we are not even sure if universities will offer classes on campus. Also, the The spread of the disease is not well managed in the US and does not inspire confidence, “he said, adding that he is especially interested in SUTD’s Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) to nurture technology entrepreneurs. Students selected for the program can spend time abroad at business nodes in China and the US. USA, including Silicon Valley.
“I’m going to see how things work, moving forward, and if there are good opportunities here at a fraction of the cost, why not?” he said.
While SUTD has become an attractive option for young people like Mr. Ng, the university said its academic calendar has changed due to “the uncertainty of restrictions on activities and lessons on campus” due to the evolution of the Covid-19 situation.
He added that the change will be permanent, which means that subsequent cohorts will also begin their academic year in September.
In addition to SUTD, the other five universities announced last week that they will consider applications from Singaporeans who planned to study abroad but who may now prefer to study locally due to disruptions caused by the pandemic.
They must write directly to the universities before May 17.
Students who are in the middle of their studies at foreign universities and cannot continue with them, can enroll in modular courses offered by local universities or enroll for a semester.
Three other young Singaporeans going abroad, including the UK, said they are also looking for other options, including local universities or attending coding school. One of them, Mrs Grace Woo, 20, said she decided to take a gap year to work for a social enterprise, before signing up for her UK business course next year.
“Everything is suddenly in turmoil, but instead of waiting for it, I’ve decided that I could also go to work for a new company. In a way, it will also be an education, just of a different kind.”
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