UNSW Asia Out: Oops! What a shame!
by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 26 May 2007
THE ABRUPT announcement by the University of New South Wales - Asia to close shocked Singaporeans and students alike. Students, especially the 148 enrolled in various courses at UNSW Asia were devastated.
The university blamed low enrolment numbers a primary reason behind its decision. For its first semester since opening about three months ago, it planned an intake of 300 students.
At a meeting organised by the university management for affected parents, students and staff, a gentleman reportedly lamented, “It’s verging on the fraudulence, when you took people’s money, re-locate staff to Singapore and you have reasons to believe; and have real concerns, that you’re not able to deliver.”
Looking at the situation in perspective, I do not think UNSW is being fraudulent. Now that its management has decided that its business plan has gone awry and to cut losses, the university has to close, it must live up to its obligations to their students. Enrolled students must be aided in every possible manner to continue their studies.
Enrolment is similar to a contract. Every enrolment obligation - student’s or university’s - must be honoured.
As Singapore’s Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam put it,”This is their (UNSW’s) decision, it’s their business. They made the decision to pull out, they have to deal with the parents and students.”
Other renowned institutions - INSEAD, Chicago School of Business for examples - have succeeded and flourished in Singapore, albeit a competitive education hub. But why UNSW-Asia has not?
In the coming weeks and months, many reasons and causes will be offered for the UNSW-Asia’s failure. Whatever they are, one that will top the list must be: Poor business plan.
