| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: Singapore has the right environment for a liberal arts college to take off but it will take time and commitment.
That's the view of a visiting delegation from the Claremont University Consortium, a group of seven liberal arts colleges in the United States.
The Claremont Colleges have helped produce some of the world's movers and shakers, including ASEAN Secretary-General, Surin Pitsuwan.
Despite the long history of the liberal arts in the United States, many people still harbour some misconceptions.
Dr Pamela Gann, President of Claremont McKenna College, said: "There's sometimes the feeling that the liberal arts is too abstract, or too much in the ivory tower, doesn't relate enough to what's going on in the real world."
But that has been changing, especially among Asian students, who now account for one in ten applicants to Claremont McKenna College.
They are also now more willing to experiment with cross-disciplinary modules although Dr Gann notes that for many of them, there is still a strong emphasis on grades.
And that's why Claremont believes a liberal arts college will take off in Singapore, but the curriculum needs to be broad-based.
Professor David Oxtoby, President of the Pomona College, said: "It would be a mistake for Singapore to create a liberal arts college with one particular area of focus. The fact that you're engaging in different fields, different disciplines and seeing those connections yourself, it really makes you an expert in a way that a narrow, technical education would not."
Under the Claremont model, lecturers have a strong research focus and are able to engage their students to go deeper into the subject.
Class sizes are kept small with about 20 students to a class which gives them greater interaction with the faculty.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has said it will attach Singapore's first liberal arts college to one of the three existing public universities. Experts believe that the learning environment of a liberal arts college will have positive spillover effects to the rest of the student body.
During their three-day visit, delegates will meet with MOE as well as the three universities – National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University to discuss joint collaborations. - CNA/vm
|
