Published March 20, 2010
University education that is a little different
Soon-to-open SUTD offers students a unique Independent Activities Period each yearBy FELDA CHAY
SINGAPOREAN university applicants at the soon-to-be-open Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) can look forward to an education that is a little different from that of other local universities - with an $11,000 price tag per year of study for its first intake in April 2012.
At a press conference to unveil the curriculum structure and tuition fees, SUTD president Thomas Magnanti said that its education structure would consist of what is known as an Independent Activities Period (IAP) each year - a special four-week term that provides students with the opportunity to, for instance, organise, sponsor and participate in activities such as forums, films, tours, recitals and contests.
The IAP is also offered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - which has forged a partnership with SUTD that will involve MIT faculty members developing and teaching the SUTD's curriculum, and mentor and undertake joint research projects with SUTD faculty.
During the IAP, there will be few or no formal classes. 'Instead, students, faculty members and staff can conduct seminars and short courses in a wide variety of topics according to individual interests,' said SUTD in a statement.
Students will also be able to enjoy internship opportunities with corporations such as Far East Organization, Microsoft, Google and Bain & Company. So far, the university has managed to snag 18 corporations to provide internships to its students.
SUTD, which welcomes its first intake in April 2012, is starting its undergraduate admissions exercise today - the first in a series of admissions exercises to select the university's first intake of 500 students.
From 2012, it will open applications in October for students to matriculate in April the following year. Following the first intake, students in subsequent batches will be expected to pay higher fees, said the university.
Students enrolled in SUTD can expect to complete their studies in 31/2 years, and graduate with a Bachelor's degree in one of four areas - architecture, sustainable design, engineering product design, engineering systems and system design, and information engineering and design.
Its academic calendar will comprise eight semesters of about 14 weeks each. Students will begin their studies in April in their first year, and complete their education in August in their final year.
The university added that it would be offering up to 100 scholarships to 'selected top students' for its first intake. These scholarships will cover the full tuition for the entire duration of undergraduate studies.
Also, to ensure that no student is denied an education at the university because of a lack of financial means, it will be offering bursaries and other financial aid schemes to its students.
SUTD is holding its first open house today and tomorrow at Swissotel Stamford. More details on the university's offerings are available at
www.sutd.edu.sg.