Freshmen who stay at halls of residence at the Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) usually have to compete with each
other and take part in as many extra-curricular activities as
possible to stay on for a coveted second year.
But the coming batch of freshmen will have it much
easier.
The freshmen in the 2017/18 academic year, which begins
this July, will be guaranteed a room for two years, said NTU
President Bertil Andersson at the annual State of the University
address on Thursday (March 16).
"A residential experience is part of the holistic
education we offer here at NTU," he said.
Since 2012, NTU has guaranteed every freshman the
opportunity to live on campus, and has now expanded the programme
to their second year.
Professor Andersson said: "Demand (for campus living)
has always been high and we have been doing a lot of construction
in the last few years to meet the demand."
In August, three new halls will open at Nanyang
Crescent, providing accommodation to 1,820 more students.
Hall rooms are currently awarded to seniors based on a
competitive entry points system, where students take part in hall
and university activities to earn points. There is usually a
cut-off to qualify for a room in the second year.
This system has deterred some seniors, such as
third-year biological sciences student Koh Wei Yi, 22, from
re-applying to stay on campus after their guaranteed stay during
their freshman year.
"I had other commitments outside and was not interested
in joining activities just for the sake of getting points," said Ms
Koh, who stayed on campus only during her first year.
Last September, NTU opened three new halls which
offered 2,100 more places to students. With the upcoming halls,
about 14,200 undergraduates will be able to live in 24 halls across
the campus, fulfilling over 90 per cent of the current demand.
Typically, halls regularly organise their own sports, recreational,
and social activities, such as Hall Day celebrations and inter-hall
games.
Prof Andersson said: "Talk to any NTU graduate and they
will tell you that living on campus is something not to be
missed."
Miss Tan Li Yun, 19, a first-year business student,
agreed.
"One of the best things about hall life is playing
sports or just hanging out with friends after classes," she
said.
One prospective student is already looking forward to
hall life.
Miss Siti Aisyah Daniyah Mahmood, 18, who visited the
NTU campus during the open house two weeks ago, said: "The idea of
staying at a university campus is really exciting."
Associate provost for student life Kwok Kian Woon felt
the new halls allows more students to "experience community life
and learning beyond the curriculum".
"They will enjoy a vibrant campus life, which is the
hallmark of NTU's holistic education," he said.
ST