Hi Friends,
From the Australian media, UNSW has apparently come out with a substantially improved package for those UNSW Asia campus students who had fallen victim due to UNSW's poor management decision and its subsequent flip-flop.
UNSW may finally be taking the correct steps to right a wrong.
I do not think my comments to UNSW ( which I wrote to UNSW or someone close to it) had anything to do with this turnaround?
I said ( in comments in my blog),
“It is a moot point but this wouldn’t have been necessary if UNSW had not pulled the plug.
I am sure famous case studies like the "New Coke" market failure and how Johnson & Johnson dealt with the aftermath of the Tylenol poisoning episode showed all of us how to behave in a damage control situation.
Those students are victims- overwhelm them with “goodies” so that UNSW would come out of this smelling of roses. How many students are there?- 143 plus foundation students and UNSW seems tardy and reluctant to assist them unreservedly. Why split hairs about non-Singaporeans and Singaporeans? Think about the goodwill gained if they get more than they asked for! Anyway it is a once off and UNSW is unlikely to do any silly things like this in Prof's lifetime right?”
End of quote
Now UNSW would not be labeled as being “Penny Wise-Pound Foolish” and these latest steps may go some way in repairing its damaged reputation.
So, is the EDB going to come clean too? Damage control lessons like the J&J case also applies for Singapore Government agencies.
Cheers
Dr.Huang Shoou Chyuan
The article
UNSW to assist Singapore campus students
The Age June 2
The University of NSW will pay students up to $85,000 to study in Sydney after the collapse of its Singapore campus.
Up to 148 students who enrolled at the campus will have their travel, visa and accommodation costs in Sydney covered by the university until the end of their degrees, with students to receive as much as $85,000 each.
The university will compensate a further 126 students with return airfares to Australia and a year's housing after the collapse of the Tanglin campus, which may end up costing the university more than $40 million in lost revenue, compensation and redundancies, Fairfax reports on Saturday.
The university had anticipated first semester enrolments of 300 and the shortfall was expected to cost $15 million in revenue.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor Fred Hilmer said the university had spent $17.5 million on the campus before it opened.
An Australian academic, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Fairfax many professors had given up senior positions to move to Singapore.
He said the reputation of UNSW and other Australian universities had been damaged by the collapse.
"UNSW has killed off any hope of ever marketing itself as an international university, certainly in our lifetime," he said.
"It has been a monumental mismanagement."
UNSW student representative council president Jesse Young said it was a disappointing waste of taxpayers money that could have been spent on the Sydney campus.
A team of people from the university have flown to Singapore to help students with visas.
© 2007 AAP
Showing posts with label UNSW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNSW. Show all posts
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Did EDB give too much to lure UNSW here? or "Ang Mo Tuah Liap"
Hi Friends,
The article below from Channelnewsasia.com represents what I think is a balanced view of the whole UNSW saga.
It seems to many that UNSW had been allowed to come and go as it pleases without a thought for responsibility of its actions.
It apparently decided that it had a good deal going and after signing some MOU’s amidst great fanfare embarked on UNSW Asia.
However, just as quickly, it decided to pull the plug after a new Vice-Chancellor had come on board.
Just like that. No different from going to the store and then changing one’s mind and returning home.
But the fallout is much more complex than that. Unlike flip-flopping about going to the store, there are real people who are hurt by UNSW's change of heart.
Who does UNSW think it is? What kind of institution makes major decisions over a 30 second period ( as mentioned in some news reports) and then at the whims and fancy of some head honcho, just decides to pack up and go as if nothing had happened?
And what kind of institution is EDB to allow UNSW to treat us like dirt?
Before signing on the dotted line, does EDB not have legal teams to pore over the minutiae in the MOU’s/contracts to ensure that this exact situation does not arise? So is someone from EDB going to take responsibility for this fiasco? I do not expect any official to commit Hara-kiri like the Japanese, but an apology would be nice.
Otherwise, what are we telling the whole world about Singapore?- that we will stoop as low as we need to get your business? Have we joined the world’s oldest profession- Whoring?
Is it still “ Ang moh tuah liap” Hokkien for “The white man’s is bigger”?
Suddenly, I feel very inadequate as a Singaporean.
Dr.Huang Shoou Chyuan
The faculty of accountability (Channelnewasia.com 30th May 07)
By Siew Kum Hong- I just found out that the article is by Siew ( no wonder it is SO GOOD!) 31.5.07
Anger, disbelief, fear, shock and tears. Those were just some of the reactions to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Asia's announcement that it was giving up after just one term.
Even as UNSW, the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other educational institutions (including the three local universities) continue to try to help UNSW students deal with the aftermath, there are other issues that merit debate on a more macro level.
The first concerns the accountability of government agencies.
The MOE had reportedly played an important role in attracting UNSW to Singapore in the first place. Furthermore, all private schools must register with the MOE.
Yet, when students and parents wanted to meet with the latter after UNSW's decision, the MOE's response was that UNSW had ultimate responsibility.
As for the EDB, it had sealed the deal with UNSW and had invested heavily in the project. Yet, it has declined to reveal the losses resulting from UNSW's pullout.
While disclosing the figures could affect the EDB's bargaining position in future negotiations with other universities, the fact remains that this is taxpayers' money. The Financial Times has reported the amount to be as high as $80 million.
The EDB has also not provided information on how the deal was structured. What sort of guarantees and commitments were extracted from UNSW? How could UNSW simply quit after just one term, when construction work on the new campus was already underway, apparently without having to pay compensation?
Did we give away too much to lure UNSW here?
The onus is on the EDB to explain what had happened and give an indication of our losses, while not compromising its ability to negotiate future deals.
Its continued silence does not sit well with Singaporeans, particularly in light of the Public Accounts Committee's recent findings of significant lapses in the EDB's internal controls and governance.
Singaporeans expect greater accountability from ministers and civil servants, given the recent public service pay hike. The handling of this case may not have met the enhanced standards expected by the public.
A more fundamental question concerns the Singapore model, which relies heavily on foreign investments to drive the economy. UNSW's departure demonstrates the risks inherent in playing this game, especially in an increasingly globalised world where competitors are everywhere and funds come and go easily.
Investors are understandably fickle, coming to seek returns and leaving if there are none. As with UNSW and other multinational corporations, when they pull out, Singaporeans have to pick up the pieces, whether they be lost jobs, missed opportunities or dashed dreams.
This could come without warning, such as when there is a management change and hardnosed businessmen such as UNSW vice-chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer disagree with the previous decisions made.
So long as we persist with this economic model, the risk will remain. I am not saying we should abandon this model — it has served us well in the past, and it could continue to work for the future.
But we have to be aware of the inherent risks, make sure our eyes are open to what could happen if things go wrong, and do our best to mitigate the risks.
Just as foreign investments have a multiplier effect on the economy, the negative repercussions of capital outflows will similarly be amplified.
And that brings us back to the EDB's role in attracting investments. Yes, capital should be able to flow in and out of Singapore freely, and we cannot stop an investor from leaving.
But surely it is not too much to ask that where public funds are spent to entice foreign investments, we also extract some assurances and commitments to stay in Singapore. This not only minimises the wastage of taxpayers' money, but also mitigates the risk of lives being disrupted by premature departures.
Ultimately, our model of foreign investments requires us to keep foreign investors happy, to ensure that the business case presented is realistic and justifiable, and to ensure a long-term binding commitment.
But, at the same time, we must not lose sight of the need to grow indigenous players who can compete internationally while retaining local roots.
Otherwise, we will always remain hostage to the whims of foreign investors.
- /so
The article below from Channelnewsasia.com represents what I think is a balanced view of the whole UNSW saga.
It seems to many that UNSW had been allowed to come and go as it pleases without a thought for responsibility of its actions.
It apparently decided that it had a good deal going and after signing some MOU’s amidst great fanfare embarked on UNSW Asia.
However, just as quickly, it decided to pull the plug after a new Vice-Chancellor had come on board.
Just like that. No different from going to the store and then changing one’s mind and returning home.
But the fallout is much more complex than that. Unlike flip-flopping about going to the store, there are real people who are hurt by UNSW's change of heart.
Who does UNSW think it is? What kind of institution makes major decisions over a 30 second period ( as mentioned in some news reports) and then at the whims and fancy of some head honcho, just decides to pack up and go as if nothing had happened?
And what kind of institution is EDB to allow UNSW to treat us like dirt?
Before signing on the dotted line, does EDB not have legal teams to pore over the minutiae in the MOU’s/contracts to ensure that this exact situation does not arise? So is someone from EDB going to take responsibility for this fiasco? I do not expect any official to commit Hara-kiri like the Japanese, but an apology would be nice.
Otherwise, what are we telling the whole world about Singapore?- that we will stoop as low as we need to get your business? Have we joined the world’s oldest profession- Whoring?
Is it still “ Ang moh tuah liap” Hokkien for “The white man’s is bigger”?
Suddenly, I feel very inadequate as a Singaporean.
Dr.Huang Shoou Chyuan
The faculty of accountability (Channelnewasia.com 30th May 07)
By Siew Kum Hong- I just found out that the article is by Siew ( no wonder it is SO GOOD!) 31.5.07
Anger, disbelief, fear, shock and tears. Those were just some of the reactions to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Asia's announcement that it was giving up after just one term.
Even as UNSW, the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other educational institutions (including the three local universities) continue to try to help UNSW students deal with the aftermath, there are other issues that merit debate on a more macro level.
The first concerns the accountability of government agencies.
The MOE had reportedly played an important role in attracting UNSW to Singapore in the first place. Furthermore, all private schools must register with the MOE.
Yet, when students and parents wanted to meet with the latter after UNSW's decision, the MOE's response was that UNSW had ultimate responsibility.
As for the EDB, it had sealed the deal with UNSW and had invested heavily in the project. Yet, it has declined to reveal the losses resulting from UNSW's pullout.
While disclosing the figures could affect the EDB's bargaining position in future negotiations with other universities, the fact remains that this is taxpayers' money. The Financial Times has reported the amount to be as high as $80 million.
The EDB has also not provided information on how the deal was structured. What sort of guarantees and commitments were extracted from UNSW? How could UNSW simply quit after just one term, when construction work on the new campus was already underway, apparently without having to pay compensation?
Did we give away too much to lure UNSW here?
The onus is on the EDB to explain what had happened and give an indication of our losses, while not compromising its ability to negotiate future deals.
Its continued silence does not sit well with Singaporeans, particularly in light of the Public Accounts Committee's recent findings of significant lapses in the EDB's internal controls and governance.
Singaporeans expect greater accountability from ministers and civil servants, given the recent public service pay hike. The handling of this case may not have met the enhanced standards expected by the public.
A more fundamental question concerns the Singapore model, which relies heavily on foreign investments to drive the economy. UNSW's departure demonstrates the risks inherent in playing this game, especially in an increasingly globalised world where competitors are everywhere and funds come and go easily.
Investors are understandably fickle, coming to seek returns and leaving if there are none. As with UNSW and other multinational corporations, when they pull out, Singaporeans have to pick up the pieces, whether they be lost jobs, missed opportunities or dashed dreams.
This could come without warning, such as when there is a management change and hardnosed businessmen such as UNSW vice-chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer disagree with the previous decisions made.
So long as we persist with this economic model, the risk will remain. I am not saying we should abandon this model — it has served us well in the past, and it could continue to work for the future.
But we have to be aware of the inherent risks, make sure our eyes are open to what could happen if things go wrong, and do our best to mitigate the risks.
Just as foreign investments have a multiplier effect on the economy, the negative repercussions of capital outflows will similarly be amplified.
And that brings us back to the EDB's role in attracting investments. Yes, capital should be able to flow in and out of Singapore freely, and we cannot stop an investor from leaving.
But surely it is not too much to ask that where public funds are spent to entice foreign investments, we also extract some assurances and commitments to stay in Singapore. This not only minimises the wastage of taxpayers' money, but also mitigates the risk of lives being disrupted by premature departures.
Ultimately, our model of foreign investments requires us to keep foreign investors happy, to ensure that the business case presented is realistic and justifiable, and to ensure a long-term binding commitment.
But, at the same time, we must not lose sight of the need to grow indigenous players who can compete internationally while retaining local roots.
Otherwise, we will always remain hostage to the whims of foreign investors.
- /so
Thursday, May 24, 2007
UNSW exits before it enters: Shocking!
Hi Friends,
Shocking news!
UNSW is withdrawing from Singapore- even before it had actually started its campus!
It is not surprising to me.
University of New South Wales Singapore campus to shut in June
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 23 May 2007 1715 hrs
SINGAPORE: The University of New South Wales (UNSW) will close its campus in Singapore next month.
The announcement came less than two months after its grand opening.
The school said it was facing a financial shortfall of $15 million a year due to lower-than-anticipated student enrolment numbers. Its target was 300 students in its first semester.
But it only got 148 students, 100 of whom are Singaporeans.
If it were to continue building its campus in Changi, it would have to borrow $140 million.
The school said both factors led to an unsustainable financial burden and it decided to call it quits in Singapore.
Students have already paid their fees, which range between S$26,000 and S$29,000 a year.
UNSW says these students will be offered a place at its home campus in Sydney.
There will also be scholarships to help with the cost of travel and accommodation.
UNSW has already invested over S$22 million (A$17.5 million) in its Singapore campus.
It was invited by Singapore's Economic Development Board in 2004 to establish what would have been the first private comprehensive university in Singapore.
The EDB had said the school was expected to contribute at least $500 million a year to the economy in direct spending. The EDB refuses to reveal how much it invested in the school.
The episode is clearly damaging to Singapore's aim to be a global schoolhouse.
But the EDB, which drives the global schoolhouse initiatives, believes it will still reach its target of attracting 150,000 international students by 2015.
There are currently 80,000 foreign students in Singapore.
Aw Kah Peng, EDB's Assistant Managing Director, said: "The learning point is that we have to continue working very hard. Truly, with every institution, it will be different. With each one, we have to put everything we can to think about all these issues of whether we can make it work, how long it will take for us to make it work, what will it take for us to make it work. We will then have to step forward on that basis."
UNSW says it would have stayed on in Singapore if it has been allowed to scale down its student enrolment numbers to 2,000 students by 2012.
But this would be quite far from the original bargain with the EDB which had set a target of 15,000 UNSW students by 2020.
The UNSW closure does not mean that the EDB will no longer work with the school.
The EDB says there are many areas of cooperation between UNSW and Singapore which are mutually beneficial.
These include foundation schooling for university entry, research collaborations, University of New South Wales school competitions and joint programmes with Singapore institutions.
EDB says it will continue to pursue these areas and strengthen its relationship with UNSW. - CNA/ir
Shocking news!
UNSW is withdrawing from Singapore- even before it had actually started its campus!
It is not surprising to me.
1.The idea of an education in an overseas instutition must surely be the experience of tasting life overseas! Ask yourself, who would pay the same amount as another undergrad in Sydney, yet study in Singapore?
Answer:
i. Singapore Kids still tied to mama’s apron string.
ii Those parents who think that Sydney is so dangerous that only safe sterile Singapore is good enough for their kids
iii Foreigners who fall for the spin about Singapore being the gateway to China.
If one wants a Australian degree in Singapore, there are already so many options now. Many Australian programs are already co-hosted by Singaporean partners eg APMI Kaplan for University of South Australia, and they cost a fraction of UNSW’s deal and their programs are quite well run . I know because I am doing the MBA by U of South Australia at APMI. ( I am assuming their undergrad program is as good as their post-grad one)
Anyway, options for tertiary education are so varied now!
1.Local universities : National University of Singapore; Nanyang Technological University; Singapore Management University. Although I was from NUS, I am really excited about what’s happening at SMU!
2.Singaporean polytechnics followed by local U’s or better still- overseas universities
3.Overseas U’s – either straight after O levels or A levels and for Singapore boys, after National Service.
Anyway, I am a freak for life-long education, so my eyes light up whenever I read anything related to education. Any other such freaks out there?
Regarding the UNSW retreat, University of Warwick must be feeling smug now and saying " I told you so!"
Cheers,
Dr.Huang Shoou Chyuan
University of New South Wales Singapore campus to shut in June
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 23 May 2007 1715 hrs
SINGAPORE: The University of New South Wales (UNSW) will close its campus in Singapore next month.
The announcement came less than two months after its grand opening.
The school said it was facing a financial shortfall of $15 million a year due to lower-than-anticipated student enrolment numbers. Its target was 300 students in its first semester.
But it only got 148 students, 100 of whom are Singaporeans.
If it were to continue building its campus in Changi, it would have to borrow $140 million.
The school said both factors led to an unsustainable financial burden and it decided to call it quits in Singapore.
Students have already paid their fees, which range between S$26,000 and S$29,000 a year.
UNSW says these students will be offered a place at its home campus in Sydney.
There will also be scholarships to help with the cost of travel and accommodation.
UNSW has already invested over S$22 million (A$17.5 million) in its Singapore campus.
It was invited by Singapore's Economic Development Board in 2004 to establish what would have been the first private comprehensive university in Singapore.
The EDB had said the school was expected to contribute at least $500 million a year to the economy in direct spending. The EDB refuses to reveal how much it invested in the school.
The episode is clearly damaging to Singapore's aim to be a global schoolhouse.
But the EDB, which drives the global schoolhouse initiatives, believes it will still reach its target of attracting 150,000 international students by 2015.
There are currently 80,000 foreign students in Singapore.
Aw Kah Peng, EDB's Assistant Managing Director, said: "The learning point is that we have to continue working very hard. Truly, with every institution, it will be different. With each one, we have to put everything we can to think about all these issues of whether we can make it work, how long it will take for us to make it work, what will it take for us to make it work. We will then have to step forward on that basis."
UNSW says it would have stayed on in Singapore if it has been allowed to scale down its student enrolment numbers to 2,000 students by 2012.
But this would be quite far from the original bargain with the EDB which had set a target of 15,000 UNSW students by 2020.
The UNSW closure does not mean that the EDB will no longer work with the school.
The EDB says there are many areas of cooperation between UNSW and Singapore which are mutually beneficial.
These include foundation schooling for university entry, research collaborations, University of New South Wales school competitions and joint programmes with Singapore institutions.
EDB says it will continue to pursue these areas and strengthen its relationship with UNSW. - CNA/ir
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