Originally posted by j1ahu1:
On the Homepage of our leading tertiary educational
institution in Singapore NUS, it's hard not to notice the line
that says "NUS among World's Top 20 Universities".
As a Singaporean, I should feel proud of the academic achievement
our young nation achieves. But unfortunately, the policy of NUS
does not, in any way, justify why I should join my fellow country
mates and take pride in the system in NUS.
Well, I am a Singaporean student who was offered an overseas
scholarship after A Levels in 2002 to study in Monash University in
Melbourne. I am currently in my last semester, and will be
graduating in July with a degree.
Unfortunately, my scholarship does not cover the Honours year,
hence leaving me with 2 options if I am to further my
education.
My first option would be to stay in Monash and do an Honours in
Psychology. However, I would have to wait for 6 - 8 months before
the course starts as the academic year in Australia starts in early
March. Furthermore, due to the HECS changes in University tuition
fees in Melbourne, there is close to a $6000 increment if I
re-enroll for Honours in 2006. Without a scholarship, it is almost
impossible for me to pursue this option.
With that, I thought I was left with my second and final option,
which was to apply for the fourth year (Honours year) in Psychology
in NUS. I enquired with both the Psychology department and the
Office of Admissions, and someone actually directed me to apply
when the online application starts in February 2005.
I was elated. To be able to study in my home country, not only
lightens my family's financial burden, but also allows me to
constantly stay in close contact with my family and friends
here.
So, imagine my horror when I called the admissions office in NUS to
double check the validity of the reply I received much earlier on,
I was informed that there is practically no way that I can just do
one Honours year in NUS.
Well, the 2 reasons being (as told by one admissions
officer):
1) The minimum number of years of studies in NUS is two. This has
been achieved consensually by all the faculties in NUS. No faculty
offers any course that lasts only a year.
2) (This is the most ridiculous one) There is no such thing as
credits transfer in NUS. I was flabbergasted when I heard this. The
lady told me that, irregardless of any qualifications I attain in
any foreign university, everyone, and anyone, HAS to start from
scratch, meaning
first year in NUS.
I was dumbfounded and the whole policy makes no sense to me. NUS is
indeed the first ever University I have heard of in my life that
offers no credits transfers to students.
Does NUS feel that the courses it offers are so fantastic that they
are in no way comparable to foreign Universities? Is NUS practicing
discrimination in a society which calls for equality in education?
Why is it not at all possible that the respective department and
the office of admissions do a case-to-case review? How about
assessing the subjects I have done and then decide from there if I
qualify for the Honours year? Where is the flexibility in one of
the top twenty universities in the world? Does a 'leading global
university' (words of NUS President Professor Shih Choon Fong on
NUS Website) work with such a rigid system?
No flexibility, no creativity. What exactly has NUS produced in its
thousands and possible millions of graduates when its system is one
that discriminates against foreign universities?
And mind you, Monash's Psychology degree is as prestigious, if not
more reputable than the one at NUS.
And one may ask, why not go straight into Masters in Psychology if
Honours is not a feasible thing to do for now. But well, the answer
is, in order to become a professional in the field of Psychology,
one must possess a degree with Honours before one is allowed to
enrol in Masters. Well, this is at least what I was informed in
Australia.
If you do come across this article and able to provide any
solutions, please advise.
[b][/b]
Well you can do something with your degree if you cannot enter
honors. It depends on the overall result and the type of masters
you are doing. I have classmates who don't have an honor degree but
achieved 80% and above in average for their undergrad degree to
enter masters (Master of Public Health/Master of Social
Health/Master of Public Policy/Master of Business Admin) .I cannot
say much for masters of psychology because I am not well acquainted
with any one who did it before. Maybe Gedanken can help - he is a
psychologist.
