Blog #1 As Singapore Globalizes Its Schools, Locals Worry

Globalization of higher education in Singapore has shown to be of much concern for local university students. Through online expression, scholars and their parents have felt the need to share their thoughts on the rise of international students attending universities in the area. One local student attending the National University of Singapore feels cheated out of available scholarships through competition with international equals.  The increased amount of international university goers has left concern regarding future employment for graduating locals; many of which come from East Asia with goals of creating better lives for themselves.  Devoted to helping Singaporeans reach their potentials, Lawrence Wong, chairman of The Committee of Education Pathways Beyond 2015, has spoken of the committee's plan to expand the higher education sector by adding to universities with more teaching and practice-oriented programs as to work towards solving this current issue.

                The ongoing problem that Singaporean undergraduate students are facing is very relevant and should be a topic brought to as much attention possible.  Being faced with worry of the effect that international competition may have on one’s future is a subject that, with ignorance, could become more than an education based struggle.  If one country is voicing such feelings about globalization limiting education, then there is chance that others are having the same thought process.  With knowledge being a main key to living a better life, those who want to achieve it will compete, and to compete means to battle.  There needs to be resolution to this issue before it gains more hold on the feelings of the native residents in Singapore. And if there is no change that extends benefit to these human beings, well, a dozen bloggers may not be able to make much difference in the system of higher education, but many might be surprised at how much a large, newly multicultural group of individuals could do. Things could get ugly.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/world/asia/27iht-educside27.html?ref=internationaleducation#h[]