University insiders' perceptions of doctoral education development in five East and Southeast Asian countries: An institutional logics perspective [Scholarly Article - European Journal of Education, 2022]

Title:

University insiders' perceptions of doctoral education development in five East and Southeast Asian countries: An institutional logics perspective

 

Authors:

Tengteng Zhuang, Baocun Liu & Ruichang Ding

 

Publication:

European Journal of Education, 27 June 2022

https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12516

 

Abstract:

This article reports on a study that analysed multiple logics behind the development of doctoral education in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. The analysis focused on the development over the past two decades and general measures to ensure quality. Research materials analysed in this article consisted of semi-structured interviews with insiders in the doctoral education system in each of the five countries. The findings reveal that the growth of the doctoral education sector in China follows state logic, profession logic and corporation logic. Doctoral education in Japan shows state logic, profession logic and market logic. State logic, market logic and corporation logic are manifested in South Korea's doctoral education sector, whereas state logic and profession logic are prominent in Singapore. Doctoral education in Thailand mostly follows state logic and market logic. Establishing and completing the external and internal quality mechanisms, tightening quality inspection procedures and raising requirements for students are common measures put in place for quality assurance throughout East and Southeast Asia.

Singapore Institute of Technology and Agrocorp International Jointly Launch Research Programme to Advance Plant-Based Food Innovation in Singapore

Title:

SIT and Agrocorp International Jointly Launch Research Programme to Advance Plant-Based Food Innovation in Singapore

 

Published:

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Press Release, 4 April 2022

https://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/digitalnewsroom/sit-and-agrocorp-jointly-launch-research-programme-to-advance-plant-based-food-innovation/

 

From the press release:

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and leading agricultural supply chain company, Agrocorp International (Agrocorp), have today jointly launched a research programme to accelerate Singapore’s capabilities in enabling sustainable and efficient supply of plant-based food alternatives.

 

SINGAPORE - Safeguards needed for academia as foreign influence bill passes

Title:

Safeguards needed for academia as foreign influence bill passes 

 

Author:

Yojana Sharma  

 

Published:

University World News, 6 October 2021 

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20211007004259776

 

From the article:

The Singapore parliament this week passed legislation to counter foreign interference that could threaten its national security and sovereignty, amid growing concerns globally about the use of digital tools and campaigns by foreigners to advance their national interests abroad. But critics said the law could impact on free speech and academic freedom and academics are calling for more safeguards for free and open inquiry and research.

 

Lessons for South Africa from Singapore’s gifted education – A comparative study [Scholarly Article - South African Journal of Education, April 2021]

Title:

Lessons for South Africa from Singapore’s gifted education – A comparative study

 

Authors:

Annari Milne & Mike Mhlolo

 

Published:

South African Journal of Education, Volume 41, Number 1 (12 April 2021)

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/saje/article/view/205728

 

Abstract:

Since 1999 South African learners have participated in various international studies but sadly the learners have continued to perform dismally, which brings to question the quality of their education. Meanwhile, Singaporean students have been among the top achievers in all these competitions. Many comparative studies have been done between different nations and Singapore, but in few, if any, of these studies the focus has been on comparisons regarding gifted education. Singaporean policies and practices on gifted education generally prioritise a commitment to engaging learners from all ability levels with appropriately challenging curricula and instruction. In this article we report on a comparative study between the Singaporean and South African education systems. Three frames, (a) political context (b) curriculum structure and (c) loose coupling shaped the analysis. Results show that both countries had similar  challenges at the point of independence from colonial rule and yet, they responded differently to those challenges. Singapore  implemented inclusive education driven by excellence while South Africa’s inclusive education is driven by equity without excellence. South Africa has a one-size-fits-all curriculum, whereas Singapore has alternatives that create multiple pathways for learners to reach their full potential. Although gifted education is being proposed in current South African pronouncements, there is no evidence of coherence in terms of its implementation. Meanwhile, Singapore has a coherent system that ensures their policies move from theory  into practice. All these are lessons that South Africa can learn.

Comprehensive Internationalization in the Pursuit of ‘World-Class’ Status: A Cross-Case Analysis of Singapore’s Two Flagship Universities [Scholarly Article - Higher Education Policy, December 2020]

Title:

Comprehensive Internationalization in the Pursuit of ‘World-Class’ Status: A Cross-Case Analysis of Singapore’s Two Flagship Universities

 

Author:

Justin S. Sanders

Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan

 

Published:

Higher Education Policy, Volume 33, pp. 753-775 (December 2020)

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41307-018-0117-5

Abstract:

This paper uses John Hudzik’s (2015) Comprehensive Internationalization as a conceptual framework to examine how two Singaporean universities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), leverage internationalization as a means to achieving ‘world-class’ status. Document analysis, semi-structured interviews and campus observations are used to provide a cross-case analysis of the universities’ strategies related to partnerships, student and staff mobility, and internationalization of the curriculum. This analysis is placed against the backdrop of wider state policy to explore the relationship between institutional approach and national context. Overall, the findings suggest that a global frame of reference is embedded in the two universities’ visions, and internationalization activities are aggressively pursued to achieve those visions. Factors related to each university’s approach to comprehensive internationalization are explored in the discussion section.

Digital Trends, 11 May 2020 - A robot dog is telling people to keep their distance during the pandemic

Title:
A robot dog is telling people to keep their distance during the pandemic

Author:
Trevor Mogg

Published (includes video):
Digital Trends, 11 May 2020
https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/robot-dog-asks-people-to-socially-distance-during-pandemic/

From the article:
"Singapore has deployed a robot dog to patrol one of its parks, reminding people to keep their distance from one another during the coronavirus pandemic."

Times Higher Education, 10 May 2020 - New Singapore centres aiming to put Asia on world AI research map

Title:
New Singapore centres aiming to put Asia on world AI research map

Author:
Joyce Lau

Published:
Times Higher Education, 10 May 2020

From the article:
"Academics involved say they also have a responsibility to ensure technology is used ethically in real life, particularly amid Covid-19."

To read this article:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-singapore-centres-aiming-put-asia-world-ai-research-map

Scholarly Article [medRxiv, 30 March 2020] - Children are unlikely to have been the primary source of household SARS-CoV-2 infections

Title:
Children are unlikely to have been the primary source of household SARS-CoV-2 infections

Authors:
Yanshan Zhu, Conor J Bloxham, Katina D Hulme, Jane E Sinclair, Zhen Wei Marcus Tong, Lauren E Steele, Ellesandra C Noye, Jiahai Lu, Keng Yih Chew, Janessa Pickering, Charles Gilks, Asha C Bowen & Kirsty R Short

Published:
medRxiv, 30 March 2020 
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.26.20044826v1
This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed.

From the abstract:
"Since its identification on the 7th of January 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread to more than 180 countries worldwide, causing >11,000 deaths. At present, viral disease and transmission amongst children is incompletely understood. Specifically, there is concern that children could be an important source of SARS-CoV-2 in household transmission clusters."