THE BEST OF SINGAPORE
Nanyang Technological University is fast growing in popularity says Sonali Acharjee.
One of the two public universities in the Lion City, the 200- acre Nanyang Technological University ( NTU) has been consistently ranked amongst the world’s top 50 universities by QS. The university is currently home to a bustling student community of over 30,000 students, 20 per cent of which come from overseas.
“Studying in Singapore is an attractive alternative for Indian youth who wish to study overseas. As one of the world’s fastest- rising universities, NTU offers a broad- based education covering science and technology, business and the arts, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to prepare students for the global working world. Students benefit from state- of the art facilities and renowned professors who visit from across the globe. NTU also offers a vibrant and cosmopolitan student community with a good mix of international students,” says Er Meng Hwa, vice president ( international affairs) at NTU. “The International Student Centre ( ISC) in the Student Affairs Office is the first point of contact for international students. The Centre assists with administrative matters, orientation and the basics of getting essential daily provisions. The Centre also organises social programmes for international students to interact and mingle with students from other countries as well as with locals,” adds Hwa.
Currently NTU is organised into 15 different schools, each dedicated to a different academic field of study. These include its college of engineering, the Nanyang Business School, college of science, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and the college of humanities, arts and social sciences. The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine is one of the most recent addi-
TUITION FEES AND THE COST OF TRAVEL IN SINGAPORE IS FAR CHEAPER THAN STUDYING IN EUROPE
tions and was set up in collaboration with the Imperial college of London. “For undergraduate programmes, Indian students are attracted to Engineering programmes such as Computer Engineering and Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronic Engineering. In recent times we have seen a growing interest in other programmes like Business and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the undergraduate level as well,” says Hwa.
With over 100 clubs and a variety of recreational options on campus, students here are certainly spoilt for choice both inside and outside of the classroom. “I think what surprised me the most was the quality of life on campus. Cafeterias and restaurants at NTU are like five- star joints when compared to what we are used to in India. You can get really good food and drinks at reasonably affordable prices. There are also some wonderfully cozy places to sit and study or just relax after a long day. Considering the tuition fees and cost of travel is much less compared to the West, I think NTU gives fantastic value for money,” says Hira Singh, 25, from Delhi.
For those interested in pursuing sports or extra- curricular activities, the university also offers a rich variety of clubs and committees. From cyber games to mountaineering, wine, film and aerospace, students are bound to find something to suit their interest. There’s even a Tamil literary club and an Indian cultural society at NTU, indicating its commitment to diversity. “The Indian influence is evident throughout Singapore. Not only do you get to meet a lot of people from home but you also have easy access to Indian festivals, food and culture. It’s difficult not to feel at home here,” adds Singh.