In-depth learning
IF someone were to ask what is unique about Dr Mercy Karuniah Jesuvadian, it would be that she is both a lecturer with the Early Childhood and Specials Needs Academic Group in the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore, and an alumni of the institute.
She first trained as a teacher and taught in both junior colleges and secondary schools before deciding to switch to the Early Childhood field.
She took up NIE’s Master of Education (Early Childhood) programme in 2005 and continued on to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2008.
“I was keen to take up the NIE Master’s and PhD as the programmes offer breadth and depth of learning. It was good for me as I came from a non-Early Childhood background and needed grounding in this area. The rigor of the programmes attracted me to take up the courses. As I progressed along, I was also privileged to work with exceptional faculty members who are experts in their fields.”
Students pursuing the Master of Education (Early Childhood) programme can choose between completing eight courses or six courses and a dissertation.
The dissertation route is encouraged for those who would like to continue on to PhD. The Master’s programme can be completed in one to two years on a full-time basis or two to four years on a part-time basis.
The PhD programme can be completed up to five years on a full-time basis or up to seven years on a part-time basis.
When asked if the programmes had helped her in her career progression, she said it had prepared her for a role as a lecturer.
The National Institute of Education, Singapore is an autonomous institute under the Nanyang Technological University. It has been ranked as one of the top 20 education institutions in the world and top 3 in Asia by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.