Singapore - Singapore has chalked out an ambitious plan to attract over 1,50,000 international students to its universities and educational institutions by 2015.
As of now, there are currently 90,000 foreign students representing over 120 nationalities in Singapore. We want to take this number to 1,50,000 by 2015, Eileen Cher Jialin, an official of Singapore Tourism Board (STB) told reporters.
"Our vision is to develop Singapore as a compelling global hub for business, investment and talent," Jonathan Lim, Head Education of Economic Development Board (EDB) said.
"To achieve this, our mission is to create a sustainable GDP growth for Singapore with good jobs and business opportunities for its people," Lim added.
The EDB and STB together in 2003 have launched Singapore Education, a multi-government initiative to highlight the unique educational experience that expat students can get in Singapore.
Of the total students in Singapore, 75 per cent are foreigners. Indians form a major chunk of this student population.
High standards of living at reasonably affordable prices and a cosmopolitan city with traditional Asian values are some of the factors that attract students to Singapore.
There are three local autonomous universities, and 16 leading foreign tertiary institutions offering a wide range of courses.
As many as 16 foreign universities are already operating from this land of vast opportunities, and over 7,000 MNCs have set up their shops here.
Source: http://www.hindu.com (September 21, 2008)