Debated in Parliament on 1 Aug 2017.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) whether the Ministry has any policy to encourage autonomous universities to have more Singaporeans in key leadership and management positions.
Our policy is that Autonomous Universities (AUs) need to build a strong core of Singaporeans in key leadership and management positions. Currently, Singaporeans make up around 70% of key leadership and management positions in the AUs. Three-quarters of presidents and provosts of AUs are Singaporeans.
The AUs have in place talent development and leadership programmes to groom more Singaporeans to take on key leadership and management roles in their institutions. They also actively reach out to leading Singaporean academics based overseas to attract them back to Singapore.
The Ministry has also worked with the AUs to launch the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent Scheme (START in short) in 2015 to encourage more young Singaporeans to pursue an academic career. This year, we have awarded 38 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships under START.
Notwithstanding the need to encourage more Singaporeans to take on leadership positions and responsibilities in AUs, we must recognise the need for AUs to stay connected to the world, in both education and research. They must remain open to bringing in global talent who can contribute with their diverse perspectives and knowledge to ensure that our AUs continue to remain competitive and relevant in the world.
PAPERCUTS