Education

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about how the Ministry of Education ensures that admission scores for undergraduate engineering programs meet the program's demands and whether there are guidelines for consistent admission standards across similar degree programs like engineering and computer science. Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry sets minimum eligibility criteria for autonomous universities (AUs), but each AU determines its admission metrics and requirements. He emphasized that while the Ministry does not prescribe specific admission scores, it monitors the outcomes of graduates by program.

David Hoe inquired about the progress of the Singapore Food Agency's partnerships with Institutes of Higher Learning and local farms in creating diploma courses and internships for the agri-food sector. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the SFA has developed Pre-employment Training (PET) and Continuing Education and Training (CET) programs, providing students and adult learners with relevant skills for careers in the agri-food sector, along with structured internship opportunities. As of October 2025, there are eight PET and CET programs, including SkillsFuture short courses, designed to meet industry needs. These programs also aim to equip students with cross-disciplinary skills to enhance their adaptability and employment opportunities across various sectors.