Singapore is 5th Least Country in the World

10 most corrupt and least corrupt countries in the world

Wednesday, Dec 04, 2013
In some countries, business owners can go their way in the happy knowledge that government officials won't be hitting them up for bribes or tossing them in jail on trumped-up charges. But in other parts of the world, public sector corruption is a fact of life.

Hoping to shine a light on this widespread problem, Transparency International, a non-governmental organisation that serves as a watchdog for corporate and political corruption, has published its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2013.

The index ranks countries around the world by perceived level of government corruption, with a score of 100 signaling an absence of official corruption and a score of 0 indicating a country that is hopelessly corrupt.

Of the 177 countries and territories listed on the index, less than one-third managed to break 50. As No. 127 Nicaragua would say, that's no bueno. So in what countries can you trust public officials and what places should you avoid?

To start, the Nordic countries are a safe bet for business, with Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway all among the least corrupt nations. Rounding out the top five are New Zealand, tied for first with Denmark with a score of 91, and Singapore, tied with Norway for No. 5.

Here are the 10 least corrupt countries in the world, according to the index:

1.Denmark

2.New Zealand (tied with Denmark for No. 1)

3.Finland

4.Sweden (tied with Finland for No. 3)

5.Norway

6.Singapore (tied with Norway for No. 5)

7.Switzerland

8.Netherlands

9.Australia

10.Canada (tied with Australia for No. 9)

Singapore has been ranked second on INSEAD's Global Talent Competitiveness Index, which was launched on Tuesday.

SINGAPORE: Singapore has been ranked second on INSEAD's Global Talent Competitiveness Index, which was launched on Tuesday.

It is the only Asian country to feature in the Top 20 of the index.

The index measures a nation's competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce, attract and retain.

INSEAD placed Switzerland at the top, followed by Singapore and Denmark in second and third.

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Improving tertiary education can't just be about increasing varsity places: Singapore PM Lee

Improving tertiary education can't just be about increasing varsity places: Singapore PM Lee

Launching the National University of Singapore's (NUS) new University Town, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the challenge is for local universities to keep improving and serving Singaporeans better.

SINGAPORE: Improving Singapore's tertiary education cannot just be about increasing university places, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Launching the National University of Singapore's (NUS) new University Town, Mr Lee said the challenge is for local universities to keep improving and serving Singaporeans better.

The NUS University Town (UTown) cost S$600 million to build, and it is the first of its kind in Singapore.

It is an integrated living and learning environment, which features research centres, residential colleges and recreational facilities.

Launching UTown on Thursday evening, Mr Lee said it is an example of how NUS is enhancing its student experience.

"It shrinks NUS into a smaller community, so that students can foster closer ties with their schoolmates and teachers. Each college will have its distinct features, but all of them will emphasise multidisciplinary learning, with intensive small-group sessions to encourage interaction and discussions," he said.

Mr Lee said UTown is part of broader efforts to upgrade Singapore's tertiary education system. But he believes that improving tertiary education cannot just be about increasing university places.

Mr Lee said: "But improving tertiary education cannot just be about increasing university places. Other countries have found that having large proportions of students going to university does not necessarily guarantee happy outcomes.

"Take for example South Korea, where 70% of students attend university, but the Korean economy cannot generate jobs for all of them, especially jobs to match their training and their aspirations, so unemployment among university graduates is higher even than graduates of vocational high schools.

"Or take Denmark, a Scandinavian country, much admired and with much to learn from. 50% of each cohort attend university, but after they graduate, within a year more than a quarter of those who graduate are still unemployed."

He said Singapore's universities must equip students with skills that are relevant in the future, while maintaining their rigour and standards.

And this is a consideration even as the government expands the university sector, with Singapore's fifth and sixth universities offering full-time applied degree programmes from next year.

Their challenge, Mr Lee said, is to keep improving and serving Singaporeans better.

And this cannot be measured by international rankings alone.

He said: "Because our universities are unlike top universities in bigger countries - Harvard or Stanford in the US, Oxford or Cambridge, Beida or Qinghua in China, University of Tokyo in Japan.

"These admit a very small percentage of the university students in their countries. Whereas in Singapore, our universities admit the bulk of Singaporean students who are going to university, and therefore, besides maintaining good research rankings our universities have to work hard, to develop each student to his or her full potential."

At the same time, Mr Lee said Singapore's universities have important national and social roles - to develop students' character, imbue in them Singaporean values and ethos, and build lasting friendships.

ingapore SIM University (UniSIM) will be hosting the country’s third law school.

Singapore SIM University (UniSIM) will be hosting the country’s third law school.

SINGAPORE — Minister for Law K Shanmugam has welcomed the announcement that SIM University (UniSIM) will be hosting the country’s third law school.

“In May, I welcomed the recommendations of the 4th Committee on the Supply of Lawyers,” wrote Mr Shanmugam on his Facebook page.

“One of the key recommendations made was the need to establish a new law school to focus on training prospective lawyers keen to practise criminal and matrimonial law,” he said.

He added that it would also provide Singaporeans interested in a career in the law with “more opportunities and a new pathway to fulfil their career aspirations”.

Meanwhile, Dean of the National University of Singapore’s Law Faculty Simon Chesterman said he looks forward to working with his counterparts at UniSIM to strengthen and deepen legal education in Singapore.

Professor Chesterman said the new programme will increase options for Singaporean students with a passion for law, and help ensure access to justice for all.

The third law school is expected to take in 75 students

Singapore Management University launches finance IT academy

Singapore Management University launches finance IT academy

Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched an academy to train financial sector IT professionals.

The Financial IT Academy @SMU (Fita) will focus on providing these professionals with knowledge of the business needs and processes of financial institutions.

"FITA aims to attain national and global recognition for our innovative and effective approaches to Financial IT training and competency attainment," said Fita academic director Dr John Vong.

"By achieving this, we will further strengthen Singapore's position as a leading global financial hub, and strengthen the sector's capacity for innovation through an integrated approach to IT and business skill development and competency enhancement."

Singapore has maintained its fifth position in the latest Global Power City Index, a ranking of the world's cities by a Tokyo-based think tank.

Singapore has maintained its fifth position in the latest Global Power City Index, a ranking of the world's cities by a Tokyo-based think tank.

Four students to represent Singapore in Germany in eco contest

Four students to represent Singapore in Germany in eco contest

Four students clinched the top prize at the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy education programme. Temasek Polytechnic chemical engineering student Kevin Lee, who was one of the winners, incorporated wood as an alternative to sand and gravel into cement - a move that is likely to result in huge cost-savings for the building and construction industry.

The other winners are Adrian Kho from Temasek Polytechnic, Daniel Tan from Nanyang Polytechnic and Gabriel Toh from ITE College West.

The winners were picked from a pool of 11 shortlisted participants who created projects over six months, raising awarene ss about environmental issues or finding new methods to reduce waste. They will spend a week in Germany where they will meet Bayer scientists and experts from the United Nations Environment Program.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat who presented the awards at the Swissotel Merchant Court said: "There will be pressure for economic development, but we need to strike the right balance (between that and environmental sustainability). To achieve both, we need to be thoughtful about our developmental strategy."

Singapore NTU scientists discover a way to produce cheaper, more powerful solar cells

Singapore NTU scientists discover a way to produce cheaper, more powerful solar cells


Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have discovered a way to produce cheaper and more powerful solar cells.

Here is the full press release from NTU:

In the near future, solar panels will not only be more efficient but also a lot cheaper and affordable for everyone, thanks to research by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) scientists.

This next generation solar cell, made from organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials, is about five times cheaper than current silicon-based solar cells, due to a simpler solution-based manufacturing process.

Perovskite is known to be a remarkable solar cell material as it can convert up to 15 per cent of sunlight to electricity, close to the efficiency of the current solar cells, but scientists did not know why or how, until now.

In a paper published last Friday (18 Oct) in the world's most prestigious academic journal, Science, NTU's interdisciplinary research team was the first in the world to explain this phenomenon.

The team of eight researchers led by Assistant Professor Sum Tze Chien and Dr Nripan Mathews had worked closely with NTU Visiting Professor Michael Grätzel, who currently holds the record for perovskite solar cell efficiency of 15 per cent, and is a co-author of the paper. Prof Grätzel, who is based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), has won multiple awards for his invention of dye-sensitised solar cells.

The high sunlight-to-electricity efficiency of perovskite solar cells places it in direct competition with Silicon solar cells and thin film solar cells which are already in the market and have efficiencies close to 20 per cent.

The new knowledge on how these solar cells work is now being applied by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), which is developing a commercial prototype of the perovskite solar cell in collaboration with Australian clean-tech firm Dyesol Limited (ASX: DYE).

Asst Prof Sum said the discovery of why perovskite worked so well as a solar cell material was made possible only through the use of cutting-edge equipment and in close collaboration with NTU engineers.

"In our work, we utilise ultrafast lasers to study the perovskite materials. We tracked how fast these materials react to light in quadrillionths of a second (roughly 100 billion times faster than a camera flash)," said the Singaporean photophysics expert from NTU's School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

"We discovered that in these perovskite materials, the electrons generated in the material by sunlight can travel quite far. This will allow us to make thicker solar cells which absorb more light and in turn generate more electricity."

The NTU physicist added that this unique characteristic of perovskite is quite remarkable since it is made from a simple solution method that normally produces low quality materials.

His collaborator, Dr Nripan Mathews, a senior scientist at ERI@N, said that their discovery is a great example of how investment in fundamental research and an interdisciplinary effort, can lead to advances in knowledge and breakthroughs in applied science.

"Now that we know exactly how perovskite materials behave and work, we will be able to tweak the performance of the new solar cells and improve its efficiency, hopefully reaching or even exceeding the performance of today's Silicon solar cells," said Dr Mathews, who is also the Singapore R&D Director of the Singapore-Berkeley Research Initiative for Sustainable Energy (SinBeRISE) NRF CREATE programme.

"The excellent properties of these materials, allow us to make light weight, flexible solar cells on plastic using cheap processes without sacrificing the good sunlight conversion efficiency."

Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, the Executive Director of ERI@N said they are now looking into building prototype solar cell modules based on this exciting class of materials.

"Perovskite-based solar cells have the potential to reach 20 per cent solar cell efficiencies and another great benefit of these materials is their amenability to yield different translucent colours, such as red, yellow or brown. Having such colourful solar glass will create new opportunities for architectural design," he added.

The NTU team, consisting of six scientists, one postgraduate and one undergraduate, took six months to complete this fundamental research project, which was funded by NTU and the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore.

Singapore NUS, NTU impress in Business School's Executive MBA programmes ranking

Singapore NUS, NTU impress in Business School's Executive MBA programmes ranking

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School's double-degree programme with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has retained its position at fifth in the world, while the School's Asia Pacific Executive (Apex) Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme climbed nine places to 17th in the Financial Times' (FT) Global EMBA Rankings 2013. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) too performed will, debuting at 13th place.

The two EMBA programmes fared well in several categories on which their overall rankings are based, NUS said in a statement.

Alumni of the UCLA-NUS EMBA programme reported enjoying a high average annual salary of US$243,677 (S$301,877) and better career progression. The UCLA-NUS EMBA jumped from 57th to 14th place for Career Progress.

Meanwhile, the programme moved up two places to third for International Course Experience, demonstrating the global learning and networking opportunities it offers. It also continues to be ranked eighth for its participants' Work Experience, a measure of the seniority of previous jobs and an indication of student quality.

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Singapore’s R&D investments seeing encouraging outcomes, says NRF

Singapore is halfway through its five-year plan for boosting research and development. According to the National Research Foundation, the investments are seeing encouraging outcomes.

SINGAPORE: Singapore is halfway through its five-year plan for boosting research and development.

Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2015 scheme, the S$16.1 billion plan aims to support the Singapore government's long-term vision to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial economy like Sweden, Finland or Israel.

According to the National Research Foundation (NRF), the investments are seeing encouraging outcomes.

The CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) Tower at the National University of Singapore is home to the NRF and it is also where opportunities are created for start-ups.

Low Teck Seng, CEO of National Research Foundation, said: "NRF over the years has invested and partnered 15 technology incubators and five early stage venture funds, and together we have invested in more than a hundred companies through them... of which, quite a few have done well, and we have exited (our investments)."

Next week, NRF will be working with A*STAR's technology transfer arm, Exploit Technologies, and SPRING Singapore to organise Techventure.

The annual conference and exhibition aims to increase private sector involvement in identifying and growing local start-ups.

Edwin Chow, executive director of SPRING Investments, said: "By bringing in this market knowledge, market know-how and experience and advice, it will help the start-ups and investor community validate the technology.

“Having the best science and the best research is important, but I do not think it is a sufficient condition for success."

According to A*STAR, activity in the innovation and enterprise space has picked up in recent years.

It spun off over 40 start-ups in the past five years, with the majority taking place in the last two years.

There were 400 licences over the same five-year period, 70 per cent of which were issued in the last two years.

Philip Lim, CEO of Exploit Technologies (A*STAR), said: "The traditional players are there but (we want) new players to come in, even non-traditional players, Singapore investors, to start to stand up and take notice, and say, 'who is here now, who is this fellow, and why is he putting money in companies that I have never heard of before, and should I be looking at this'. That is the type of buzz that we want to see."

Over the past two decades, Singapore has been increasing investments in research, as countries like the United States cut back on such investments.

Singapore A*STAR scientists find way to boost body's immune surveillance in fight against cancer.

SINGAPORE: Researchers at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) have discovered a new mechanism involving p53, the famous tumour suppressor, to fight against aggressive cancers.

It said the strategy works by sabotaging the ability of cancer cells to hide from the immune system.

A*STAR said the research opens a new avenue to improve targeted cancer therapy by harnessing the body's own immune system to control and eliminate cancer cells.

Also known as the "Guardian of the Genome", p53 fights cancer by causing damaged cells to die or by halting the growth of mutant cells before they become cancerous and spread to the rest of the body.

The team leader, Associate Professor Ren Ee Chee from SIgN, said: "We were surprised to discover that p53 regulates MHC class I production by acting through ERAP1. This may explain how cancer cells escape detection by our body's immune system.

"More importantly, it opens up exciting avenues of research to explore how restoration of p53 with drugs such as those that target ERAP1 can help to harness the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells."

Acting executive director of SIgN, Associate Professor Laurent Rénia, said: "The team has uncovered a new door to manipulate one of the most studied yet enigmatic cancer-associated genes of our time.

"I am confident that this work will pave the way for more targeted, efficient and cost-effective treatment for the millions of cancer patients globally."

- CNA/ac

Aung San Suu Kyi gives leadership lecture in SMU

Aung San Suu Kyi gives leadership lecture in SMU



SINGAPORE: Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday gave a lecture on leadership at the Singapore Management University (SMU).

She said that leaders should respect their people, work to get their support and fulfill their needs.

However, she added a good leader will not necessarily be a popular one.

Suu Kyi said: "Leadership is not about being popular all the time. Sometimes, leadership means accepting that what you do may be unpopular and may well lose you the next elections. But if you truly believe that what you are doing is good for your country, you must be prepared to lose the next elections.

"That is one of the tests of true leadership, whether they'd rather be re-elected or rather they'd rather do the right thing, and secondly you have to respect the people truly, not pretend to respect them."

Respect is something the 600-strong crowd of students, academics and business leaders clearly had for Suu Kyi.

Her frank and candid style won her fans, as much as her call for young people in Myanmar to think more of their country and society.

"I really loved her speech. I think she really resonated what it means for her to do a new Myanmar, and I think one word that came across was stewardship," said Associate Professor Annie Koh, vice president of business development and external relations at SMU.

"She says it really means so much to her that the people of Myanmar feel that they are in this together. There's so much ethnic diversity, but if we all come together with one concern - and that is we are stewards of this country, and we want to pass this on to the next generation better, brighter and for the good of everyone within the country itself."

Suu Kyi's inspirational speech also left a deep impression on the students.

"I think she is very, a truly inspiring person. And after hearing many of her talks, what I think is that she alone, may or may not be able to change the whole government and the constitution itself. I think we need the students like me and the rest to step up and contribute back to our society," said Aung Myat Ko, who is currently pursuing his studies in SMU.

Another SMU student Kyi Lai Lai Shoon said: "This is my first time seeing her in person and I've always been an admirer of hers because of everything that she did for our country and everything she's been doing. It's such an honour for me to meet her in person today."

- CNA/fa

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Singapore SMU undergrads raise S$64,000 for elderly

Singapore SMU undergrads raise S$64,000 for elderly

SINGAPORE — A group of 30 undergraduates have led the Singapore Management University (SMU) to raise S$64,000 in cash and in kind in a nine-month university-wide community service effort.

The cash proceeds raised will be used to support underprivileged seniors under the Lions Befrienders Service Association’s (LBSA) outreach programmes, conducted through its Senior Activity Centres.

The in-kind donations — 2,500kg of food and necessities — were on Saturday delivered to 170 households at Mei Ling Street under the care of the LBSA, as part of a walkathon challenge.

Some 505 SMU representatives, including students, faculty members and staff, took part in the 8km walkathon, journeying from the SMU campus to the Queenstown Community Centre, carrying a backpack load of 5kg of in-kind donations. The walkathon capped off the annual social project, called the SMU Challenge.

Since January, SMU students have been going door-to-door offering to do household chores in exchange for donations. Street collection drives were also carried out.

Volunteers also spent time interacting with the elderly at the Lions Befrienders (Mei Ling) Senior Activity Centre who are living in one-room and two-room rented units.

Second-year business student Ler Jie Qi, Chairperson of this year’s SMU Challenge, said: “I believe it is important to spread the message of giving back to society. It is something everyone of us can do by getting those within our circle of influence to be involved in meaningful events such as the SMU Challenge.”

“Having such an event not only allows us to create a greater impact on the people we serve, but also builds upon a stronger and more unified SMU family,” she said.

On Saturday, SMU also earned a place in the Singapore Book of Records for the Largest Mass Walk Carrying Groceries, a record previously set by SMU students, faculty and staff in 2010 with 197 participants.

Singapore BCA offers new degree on 3D modelling software. Using such software, otherwise known as Building Information Modelling, has long been touted by the Government as a way to identify potential problems in construction before actual work begins, thereby increasing productivity.

Singapore BCA offers new degree on 3D modelling software.

Using such software, otherwise known as Building Information Modelling, has long been touted by the Government as a way to identify potential problems in construction before actual work begins, thereby increasing productivity.

Here is the press release in full:

Singapore, 17 September 2013 - The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and The University of Newcastle (UON) Australia are offering the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) Programme (BCM), which equips graduates with strong grounding in management and building information modelling (BIM).

The Programme offers diploma holders in the built environment a pathway to further enhance their academic as well as improve their career prospects with new skills and expertise.

Under the four-year degree Programme, students will gain construction management knowledge and skills with an emphasis on using BIM, a three-dimensional technology that allows building professionals to explore a building project digitally before it is even built.

BIM has been identified as one of the game-changing tools to improve construction productivity. The impetus for the built environment sector to embrace this technology is driven by mandatory requirements for the use of BIM for regulatory approval of building projects greater than 5,000 square metres by 2015.

Students from the Programme will learn the application of BIM in construction technology and services, project planning, building measurement, cost planning and estimating, contract administration, building law and economics. In their final year, students will apply what they have learnt by working on construction projects using BIM or embark on research topics involving construction management in the built environment.

BCA Academy Managing Director Mr. William Tan said: "BCA is proud to partner the University of Newcastle - one of the most progressive universities in Australia - for this Programme. The strong academic and research capabilities of University of Newcastle complements BCA Academy's effort in delivering quality education and practical training in Singapore's built environment sector. The Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) programme with strong emphasis in BIM will produce students with specialised competencies to serve the needs of the industry for an excellent built environment in Singapore.

"We invite diploma holders and practising professionals looking to improve their career prospects to consider the dual specialisation in BIM and construction management that the Programme offers," Mr. Tan added.

University of Newcastle Australia Pro Vice-Chancellor (Singapore) and CEO, UON Singapore Professor Amir Mahmood said: "Celebrating the launch of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) with BCA Academy is the University's way to create value to the evolving construction industry. With Building Information Modeling embedded in these courses, we see the alignment with Singapore's emphasis on increasing productivity and innovation."

Because of the Programme's curriculum - designed to cover all aspects of construction management - its graduates will be eligible for accreditation by various international bodies for professionals such as the Chartered Institute of Building and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. They will also be recognised under the Public Sector Panel of Consultants for Quantity Surveying services. Graduates may practise as construction professionals in Australia and Singapore as they are also eligible for accreditation with the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveying and the Australian Institute of Building.

Conducted at the BCA Academy, the Programme's first intake of full-time students started their lessons on 16 September 2013. Its part-time programme will be offered in subsequent intakes.

Diploma holders from the BCA Academy and graduates from local polytechnics in relevant disciplines can earn advanced standings which will allow them to complete the Programme within minimum 2.5 years (Full-time study) and 3.5 years (Part-time study). The bachelor degree is conferred by the University of Newcastle, Australia. For more information about the Programme, please visitwww.bcaa.edu.sg.

Scholarship and sponsorship for this Programme are available for interested students under the BCA-Industry Built Environment Scholarship and Sponsorship Scheme. For more information, visit www.buildingcareers.sg.

Singapore’s R&D investments seeing encouraging outcomes, says NRF

Singapore’s R&D investments seeing encouraging outcomes, says NRF

Singapore is halfway through its five-year plan for boosting research and development. According to the National Research Foundation, the investments are seeing encouraging outcomes.

SINGAPORE: Singapore is halfway through its five-year plan for boosting research and development.

Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2015 scheme, the S$16.1 billion plan aims to support the Singapore government's long-term vision to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial economy like Sweden, Finland or Israel.

According to the National Research Foundation (NRF), the investments are seeing encouraging outcomes.

The CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) Tower at the National University of Singapore is home to the NRF and it is also where opportunities are created for start-ups.

Low Teck Seng, CEO of National Research Foundation, said: "NRF over the years has invested and partnered 15 technology incubators and five early stage venture funds, and together we have invested in more than a hundred companies through them... of which, quite a few have done well, and we have exited (our investments)."

Next week, NRF will be working with A*STAR's technology transfer arm, Exploit Technologies, and SPRING Singapore to organise Techventure.

The annual conference and exhibition aims to increase private sector involvement in identifying and growing local start-ups.

Edwin Chow, executive director of SPRING Investments, said: "By bringing in this market knowledge, market know-how and experience and advice, it will help the start-ups and investor community validate the technology.

“Having the best science and the best research is important, but I do not think it is a sufficient condition for success."

According to A*STAR, activity in the innovation and enterprise space has picked up in recent years.

It spun off over 40 start-ups in the past five years, with the majority taking place in the last two years.

There were 400 licences over the same five-year period, 70 per cent of which were issued in the last two years.

Philip Lim, CEO of Exploit Technologies (A*STAR), said: "The traditional players are there but (we want) new players to come in, even non-traditional players, Singapore investors, to start to stand up and take notice, and say, 'who is here now, who is this fellow, and why is he putting money in companies that I have never heard of before, and should I be looking at this'. That is the type of buzz that we want to see."

Over the past two decades, Singapore has been increasing investments in research, as countries like the United States cut back on such investments.

Singapore most prepared country to respond to changes: KPMG study

Singapore has topped a list of 90 nations for being the most prepared country to respond to changes, according to a KPMG study.

SINGAPORE: Singapore has topped a list of 90 nations for being the most prepared country to respond to changes, according to a KPMG study.

Sweden and Qatar were ranked second and third respectively.

KPMG's second edition of the Change Readiness Index (CRI) covered 90 countries and evaluated their capabilities to respond to changes such as natural disasters, global competition, economic shocks and demographic trends.

Singapore was ranked first in the areas of enterprise and government capability to respond to changes and came in fifth for the people and civil society component.

KPMG's head for government & infrastructure in the Asia Pacific Satyanarayan R said: "Countries are being exposed to a vast array of changes -- globalisation, automation and rising costs among others -- and these create both opportunities and risks. We cannot underestimate the importance of a nation's ability to respond to change as this capability is vital to a country's success in building a sustainable economy and equitable society."

Among other findings, the CRI revealed that a country's wealth does not always translate to change readiness. A number of lower-income countries have been ranked as having greater change readiness capability compared to some of their more developed counterparts.

For example, several lower-middle income countries, including Panama and the Philippines, outperformed some higher-income countries in the rankings, placing above Italy, Poland, Brazil and China.

- CNA/gn

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Study Singapore students get together dinner session 2013

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Study in Singapore: World class courses closer home

Study in Singapore: World class courses closer home

Located just a few hours’ flying distance from India with a culture that is global yet Asian, Singapore is home to the region’s best educational institutions, offering students world-class courses that focus on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Singapore is much more than just the region’s premier educational hub – it is a safe, cosmopolitan city that is a great place for students to live, study and play. As a green city with many parks and leisure facilities, students in Singapore can lead healthy, sporting and social lives, while - thanks to the city’s multi-cultural population - they can also dine-out on cuisine from around the world in one of Asia’s best restaurant scenes. They can rest assured knowing that this high standard of living comes in a city with a low crime rate and politically stable environment. Singapore is an attractive education destination for Indian students who are constantly looking for high quality and relevant curricula. Its high-quality bachelor’s programmes, postgraduate degrees and diploma courses help set students up for life, opening doors, not just in Singapore, but globally as well. The cosmopolitan city is also home to various leading foreign universities, polytechnics that are renowned for their market-driven courses at a diploma level as well as a diverse range of private education institutions.

The city-state has been increasingly regarded as a lifelong learning hub. There are various opportunities for students, professionals and corporates to enrich their knowledge base, soft skills as well as to build their social and business network. The ever increasing number of international students arriving in Singapore attests to the exceptional quality of education here. As of 2009, there were 94,000 international students from 120 nationalities studying in both public and private institutions in Singapore. Singapore offers excellent networking and career opportunities in a myriad of industries, ranging from established sectors like engineering and finance, to new growth sectors such as digital media and tourism.

Education bristles with life in Singapore. A premier knowledge hub, it attracts a convergence of progressive institutes, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas, opening the minds of the learner and the learned to wider perspectives. It is a city where the ideas of the future mingle with the ways of tradition. It is widely acknowledged as a place that is culturally inspiring and intellectually enriching. Singapore is well known for its long term courses in diverse fields such as engineering, management, finance and more. National University of Singapore (NUS) was recently ranked 34th in the world, based on the London-based 2010 Times Higher Education rankings of the world’s top 200 universities. Singapore has further evolved to reach out to a wider audience.

There are Overseas Study Trips, Executive and Corporate Learning programs as well as its world class vocational courses in Hospitality Management, Event Conference Management, Integrated Resort Management and Tourism amongst others.

LEARNING WITH FUN

Learning is not just about the written word. It is also about exploring the unexplored. Some learning experiences are best appreciated when encountered first hand. Diving with the sharks, surfing, snowboarding and wall-climbing is just some of the most thrilling activities Singapore has to offer to learn from and experience. With its high concentration of cosmopolitan sights, sounds, attractions, cultural diversity and accessibility, Singapore has something for anyone and everyone to enjoy and learn from. Come July, Tisch School of the Arts Asia conducts summer high school programmes in filmmaking, animation and musical theatre. The Jurong Bird Park offers exciting behind the scenes programmes for students where they can learn how abandoned eggs and chicks are cared for and how the sick birds are treated. The Underwater World offers an enriching ‘Schooling School Educat ional Program’ where teachers can dive into the marine tank and demonstrate how fishes and divers adapt differently underwater. The teachers can also communicate with the students outside the tank with the help of a unique marine communication system! Students are able to embark on a fascinating discovery and overnight stay at the Rainforest Zoo and catch a glimpse into how butterflies, scorpions and stick insects are bred at the Creepy Crawlies & Wildlife and Healthcare Research Center. A school trip to Singapore promises to be fun, exciting as well as truly educational. So be ready to bring home a treasure trove of enriching and stimulating memories.

ON THE PROFESSIONAL FRONT

Singapore is home to many institutions that offer executive education and corporate training to professionals and executives from various industries. Among these institutions are internationally acclaimed universities renowned in their specialised fields of education, including INSEAD, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, German Institute of Science and Technology - TUM Asia (GIST-TUM Asia) and Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management. Placed alongside the city’s renowned local universities (National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University) as well as established privaate institutions such as the Singapore Institute of Management, there is no doubt that a knowledge-seeker will find an institution in Singapore which provides a quality programme tailored to his and her career needs.

Pranoti Nagarkar, inventor of the popular Roti Maker arrived in Singapore to pursue her A levels (11th and 12th STD) and acquire a mechanical engineering degree from the NUS. This Indian achiever gained immense popularity amongst the Singaporeans after she bagged the Grand Champion Trophy of the StartUp@Singapore 2009 Award. She says, “My Rotimatic invention was possible thanks to the kind of guidance I received in the NUS. Apart from offering path-breaking educational facilities, Singapore is also a safe, efficient and green country. I feel proud to have acquired my Engineering degree in a country with such diverse endowments.”

For Admission or Course Details kindly contact us at admin@edusingapore.sg

Executive programmes in Singapore: From Managers to Leaders

Executive programmes in Singapore: From Managers to Leaders

To scale the corporate ladder in today’s competitive world, managers need to constantly update their knowledge base and hone their skill set in order to better adapt to a dynamic business environment. The focus remains on constant and continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning. Against such a backdrop, various executive learning programmes are gaining popularity among all levels of management. In Singapore, executives can reap the benefits of fine-tuned programmes with streamlined course contents, interaction with a class of fellow managers and top faculty from diverse backgrounds, as well as a global exposure.

By Education Times

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NUS ranked No. 1 Asian university

NUS ranked No. 1 Asian university 

Amelia Teng
The Straits Times

Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013

SINGAPORE - NUS moved up to 24th on the global list, published today, to take over the mantle from the University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Here is the full statement from NUS:

NUS Ranked First in Asia in the Latest QS World University Rankings

University rises to world's 24th and placed among the top 10 for academic reputation

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has emerged as the top university in Asia in the 2013/2014 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. The University was placed 24th in the rankings, moving up a spot from its 25th placing last year.

The QS World University Rankings evaluates over 800 universities in the world based on academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty student ratio, and proportions of international students and international faculty.

NUS has been placed 9th in the world for academic reputation, and 16th for employer reputation. The University improved significantly in the number of research papers published and citations generated.

Its faculty areas were placed as follows: Arts & Humanities (17), Engineering & Technology (7), Life Sciences & Medicine (27), Natural Sciences (11) and Social Sciences & Management (9).

NUS President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan said, "We are pleased that the latest QS World University Rankings has placed NUS as first in Asia and 24th in the world. This is a reflection of our country's strong support for higher education and the ethos of continually seeking excellence, and hence is a very positive development for the whole of Singapore. NUS has strived to differentiate itself as a global university centred in Asia through educational innovation, multidisciplinary research and strategic partnerships. We will continue to keep a sharp focus on nurturing and recruiting talented academics, staff and students, while providing a conducive environment for this thriving community to pioneer advances in education and research and its application that will have a strong positive impact on Singapore and society."

Mr Ben Sowter, Head of Research at QS, said, "Rankings cannot consider all aspects of university activity, but they capture the headline trends. This year's QS World University Rankings identifies NUS as Asia's leading institution on the world stage. Despite operating in increasingly competitive territory, NUS continue to progress and our results suggest that securing a position in the world's top 20 is only a matter of time. For an example of consistent strategic development and implementation for a large, comprehensive university, both in terms of performance and recognition, look no further than NUS."

Singapore is 3rd largest forex hub in the world

Singapore's average daily forex volume increased 44 per cent as of April this year.
The New Paper
Sunday, Sep 08, 2013

SINGAPORE -Singapore has overtaken Japan to become the largest foreign exchange centre in Asia, according to the latest survey by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

The Republic is now also the third largest forex centre in the world, behind London and New York.

The average daily forex turnover volume in Singapore grew 44 per cent to US$383 billion (S$490 billion) in April 2013, compared with US$266 billion in April 2010, when the BIS last conducted its triennial survey of global forex centres.

Global turnover growth in the same period was 35 per cent, said the report.

Average daily interest rate derivatives turnover volume in Singapore also grew 6 per cent to register US$37 billion in April 2013, the second largest volume on the continent, behind Japan.

The Singapore Foreign Exchange Market Committee (SFEMC) also carries out a semi-annual forex survey of the top 30 trading banks in the Republic. The most recent survey done for April 2013 recorded an average daily turnover at around US$381 billion, a 6 per cent increase compared to the last survey in October.

Key global centre

Ms Jacqueline Loh, deputy managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, said: "The results of the BIS and the SFEMC surveys demonstrate Singapore's consistent standing as a key foreign exchange centre in the world and in Asia.

"Our growing strength in foreign exchange complements the development of capital market and asset management activities in Singapore. It will also better position our financial centre to serve the investment and risk management needs of financial institutions and corporates throughout Asia."

New applied research centre for sustainable lighting by 2015

Singapore will have a new applied research centre for sustainable lighting by 2015. The Singapore Green Building Council and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) have signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of California, Davis's California Lighting Technology Centre (CLTC) to develop Singapore's own Lighting Technology Centre.

Study in Singapore - Study Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management with paid internship in Singapore!!!

Study Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management with paid internship in Singapore!!!

Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management
Awarding Body : CTH – UK
Course Fee : SG$ 8,200.00 (Full Fee Scholarship SG$ 700)
Duration : 10 months plus 6 months On-Job-Training (OJT) or 3 months Research Project
Intake : October - 2013
Entry requirement : Diploma in Hotel Management (CTH) or equivalent qualifications

For Admission kindly contact us at admin@edusingapore.sg