No turning back on decision to close S'pore campus: UNSW

No turning back on decision to close S'pore campus: UNSW
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 May 2007 2117 hrs

SINGAPORE: According to University of New South Wales' Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Henry, the decision to close its Singapore campus is irreversible.

The professor, who was speaking to parents and students in a packed room at Traders Hotel on Thursday evening, said UNSW staff have been meeting over 100 students since Wednesday's announcement.

It has even flown in an experienced staff from Sydney to speak to the students.

Professor Henry said all students would automatically get a space at its Kensington campus in Australia and would be allowed to transfer their credits.

The big issue now is logistics.

So Singaporean students and those who live in Singapore will be given a S$22,000 scholarship per year for the duration of their study.

For international students, they will get a S$12,000 scholarship per year.

Students can choose to receive their scholarship in a lump sum or be paid fortnightly.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor added that staff from the Australian embassy would be on campus on Friday to talk about student visas.

More UNSW staff will also be brought in from Sydney to help with this.

Professor Henry said besides the three local universities, the Monash University in Kuala Lumpur is also open to accepting UNSW Singapore students.

UNSW is also in talks with the University of Newcastle and James Cook University in Australia.

- CNA/so