NUS' new lifelong learning initiative opens up 140 modules to alumni

As part of the local university's effort in promoting lifelong learning, The National University of Singapore (NUS) has introduced a new initiative for its alumni to take up courses at the University over the next three years.

According to a press statement, the first-year pilot phase begins this August, opening up a total of 140 modules spanning a wide range of subject areas from computing and engineering to science and business to NUS alumni. Close to 770 places will be available for NUS alumni

The 140 modules are offered by eight schools and faculties at NUS - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; NUS Business School; School of Computing; School of Design and Environment; Faculty of Engineering; Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; Faculty of Science; and the School for Continuing and Lifelong Education. While most of the courses are at the post graduate levels, the wide selection also includes undergraduate modules. NUS may also expand the course offerings after the pilot phase.

During the one-year pilot (August 2017 to July 2018), the modules will be available for free to NUS alumni. In the next two years, course fees ranging about $3,000 to $3,500 per module will continue to be waived, with only a student services fee of $261.85 payable per semester.

NUS alumni can take up to two modules over the next three years, from 1 August 2017 to 30 July 2020, limited to one module per semester to open up learning opportunities for more NUS alumni. Alumni enrolled in these modules will study alongside current NUS students during regular term time, which typically runs from August to December, and January to May.

Sign-ups for NUS alumni will be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, priority in signing up will be given to current NUS students, with no more than 10% of each class comprising alumni.

Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS deputy president (academic affairs) and provost, said: "We are excited to welcome our alumni back to school, as we continue our efforts to support the national SkillsFuture movement, and make lifelong learning a critical part of our DNA.

"With the rapidly changing world, our graduates have to learn and adapt as they develop their careers, and in tandem with that, our mental construct of a university education has to change. NUS hopes to further engage our extensive network of 278,000 alumni by providing new and progressive courses and programmes, to continually enhance the capabilities and competencies of our students and graduates. Our initiative is an encouragement for our alumni, new and old, to start adopting this lifelong learning mindset."

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