UNSW Plan to Establish a Campus in Singapore Welcome

Trade Minister Mark Vaile today welcomed the announcement by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) that it would establish a campus in Singapore to provide undergraduate and post-graduate teaching and research.

“UNSW will be the first foreign university to offer full campus facilities in Singapore,” Mr Vaile said.

“This momentous development will help broaden our bilateral economic and people-to-people links with Singapore and underlines the existing strong education links between our two countries.

“UNSW’s decision also highlights the growing export opportunities for Australian providers of education services in Singapore.”

Under the Singapore Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which entered into force last July, Australian education providers can operate relatively freely in Singapore. Singapore government scholarships for overseas use are also tenable at Australian universities.

Singapore is Australia’s fourth largest market for overseas students, and more than 31,000 Singapore students enrolled in both onshore and offshore Australian institutions in 2003.

“UNSW’s move will help strengthen Australia’s position as a major provider of tertiary education in Singapore and underlines the high regard held overseas for Australian educational institutions,” Mr Vaile said.

“I will undertake a review of SAFTA in July to encourage additional commitments from Singapore for more recognition of Australian qualifications.”

Contact: Matthew Doman (Ministerial) 02 6277 7420