I REFER to Mr Chen Zhaoguang's letter on Thursday, 'A right, not a privilege', and to recent letters on admission to local universities.

Our publicly funded universities have steadily increased the number of places available from 21 per cent in 2000, to 25 per cent of each cohort this year. By 2015, with the new university established, 30 per cent of each cohort will be able to study for degrees. This will create more opportunities for both polytechnic diploma and A-level holders.

Even as we expand places, we must maintain the standards of our public universities. Tertiary institutions in other countries that have lowered admission criteria to take in more students are worse off. Many have experienced a higher failure rate among their undergraduates or a drop in overall standards of their university graduates. We should not go down this route as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University have gained international recognition for their high quality.

While our public universities can assure a place for eligible students, it is not possible to promise a place in the course of his choice. No system provides this. Popular disciplines like medicine and law in good universities worldwide are highly competitive and admission is strictly by merit.

Mr Chen asked about opportunities for late bloomers. Starting this year, the Ministry of Education will provide subsidies for part-time degree programmes offered by UniSIM, NUS and NTU. In addition, students' Post-Secondary Education Accounts (PSEAs) can be used to fund these part-time degree programmes.

Tan Gee Keow (Ms)
Director, Higher Education
Ministry of Education

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