Singapore University of Social Sciences

Singapore University of Social Sciences
Universiti Sains Kemasyarakatan Singapura  (Malay)
新跃社科大学 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் சமூக அறிவியல் பல்கலைக்கழகம் (Tamil)
Former names
 SIM University[1]
Type Autonomous university
Established 2005 (SIM University)
2017 (Singapore University of Social Sciences)[1]
Endowment S$1.61 million[2]
Chancellor Mr Stephen Lee Ching Yen
President Prof Cheong Hee Kiat
Provost Prof Tsui Kai Chong
Academic staff
 1000 (Programmes 60)[3]
Administrative staff
 280[3]
Students 14,000[3]
Location Clementi, Singapore
1°19′45″N 103°46′35″E / 1.32917°N 103.77639°E / 1.32917; 103.77639Coordinates: 1°19′45″N 103°46′35″E / 1.32917°N 103.77639°E / 1.32917; 103.77639
Campus 9.2 hectares
Colours Red and Blue         
Website Official website

The Singapore University of Social Sciences (Abbreviation: SUSS) is an autonomous university in Singapore.[4][5] SUSS champions lifelong learning, offers degrees primarily in the domain of social sciences and applied learning.[6] In 2017, SUSS received its first class of 2,137 graduates.[7] In 2018, SUSS conferred degrees to its pioneer batch of 168 full-time students.[8]

SUSS academia is organized into schools, College for Lifelong & Experiential Learning (CLEL), UC and five centres. The schools are classified into SUSS School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, SUSS School of Business, S R Nathan School of Human Development, SUSS School of Law and SUSS School of School of Science and Technology that jointly offers more than 600 degree programmes. UC is dedicated to the development of curricula and programmes for full-time students. The five centres are C-three (Counselling), Centre for Applied Research, Centre for Chinese Studies @ SUSS, Centre for Continuing and Professional Education and Teaching and Learning Centre.[9][10][11]

The Chancellor of the university is Mr Stephen Lee Ching Yen. The President of the university is Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, who was a former deputy president of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The Provost of the university, Professor Tsui Kai Chong, was the Vice Provost of Graduate Education at the Singapore Management University (SMU).

The university is currently located at SIM HQ, Clementi Road (Clementi, Singapore). SUSS also uses external premises to conduct lessons.[12][13]

History

SIM University (2005–2017)

In 2005, SIM University (UniSIM) a private university under the Singapore Institute of Management Group (SIM) was established with the assistance from Professor Cham Tao Soon who became the first Chancellor and Chairman of the University. He was previously the President of Nanyang Technological University (NTU).[14][15][16]

In 11 November 2016, the SIM governing council voted in favour to bring the university under the ambit of MOE.[17]

In 2017, SUSS conducted an exercise to issue certificates in SUSS for UniSIM certificates. However, a statement will indicate that the qualifications had been received under the former’s name.[18]

Present form

SUSS Logo

From 17 March 2017, the university was restructured into the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and brought under the ambit of Ministry of Education.[19][5] The autonomous status was officially awarded by the Singapore government on 11 July 2017.[20]

In 2017, Mr Ong Ye Kung, then Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) moved a Bill (law) in Parliament to confer SUSS autonomous status. Firstly, this signals the Government’s support for SUSS, assures the public of SUSS’ credibility and standing. Secondly, it allows the Government to lead SUSS towards meeting the national education objectives, economic and social development. Lastly, it allows the Government to allocate resources to SUSS and monitor its financial performances.[21]

The university will restructure to retain a “limited offering” in business and engineering programmes [22] while stremgthen and increase its offerings in social science programmes. All programmes will have curricula considering the social impacts on the community and have to partake a compulsory module in social sciences.[23]

During SUSS Convocation 2017, the first batch of SUSS graduates received degrees in the name of SUSS after it became an autonomous university under the ambit of the Ministry of Education (Singapore).[24]

Programmes

Full-time (UC)

All full-time degree programmes are direct honours degrees and may be completed in 4 to a maximum of 6 years. Programmes offer Professional Major and several Major-Minor combinations.[25][26]

In 2014, SUSS started its full-time programmes that takes on the applied degree pathway that will heavily emphasize on practice-oriented teaching.[27]

Students are to collaborate with community partners and deliver a service-learning endeavour over a period of 2 years.

Part-time

SUSS offers basic and direct honours undergraduate degrees. A basic degree programme may be completed in 3 years and an honours degree in 4 years. Students are allowed to complete the degree up to 8 years.

Direct honours degrees offered are Accountancy, Aerospace Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering with Paramedicine and Emergency Response, Electronics, Information Technology and Business (ERP) and Visual Communication with Business.

The Bachelor of Laws programme will take will take about 4.5 to 5 years and the Juris Doctor (JD) programme 4 years. Both are to be completed within 6 years.[25]

Collaborations with overseas universities

SUSS collaborates with overseas universities to offer the following programmes: [28]:

UniversityCountryProgramme
Full nameAbbrev.
Universiti Sains MalaysiaUSMMalaysiaBA Malay Language and Literature
Universitas IndonesiaUIIndonesiaBA Malay Language and Literature
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityERAUUSABachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance
Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration
Cranfield UniversityCUUKBEng Aerospace Systems
Justice Institute of British ColumbiaJIBUCanadaMinor in Paramedicine and Emergency Response
Nanjing UniversityNJU or NUChinaPhD in Chinese Language and Literature
Beijing Normal UniversityBNUChinaMaster of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature

Campus

SUSS Richard K.M. Eu Block C
Celebrate The Extraordinary, Sun I-Yu

The main campus of SUSS is at SIM HQ (Clementi Road), 461 Clementi Road, Singapore 599491. SUSS uses external premises at BCA Academy, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute, NTUC Centre, Physical Education & Sports Teacher Academy, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language, Singapore Polytechnic and Singapore Sports Hub to conduct lessons as well.

A 6-metre tall artwork by sculptor Sun I-Yu named 'Celebrate The Extraordinary' stands on the right side of Richard K.M. Eu Block C. The sculpture was created for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and donated to SUSS after the event.[29][30] The sculpture's raised hands pays homage to Singapore’s racial diversity and harmony. The hands by the side represent outreach to the local communities and the world. The sculpture has a 'heart' and lighted up when one of the hands by the side was touched.[29][30]

Admission

Applicants must be Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent residents.

The minimum education requirement is a GCE 'A' level, or local Polytechnic Diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or NUS High School Diploma certification. Applicants with good SAT1 scores may be considered for admission. Certain programmes may require additional admission requirements.

The part-time programmes require applicants to acquire two years of full-time work experience, completed full-time National Service for male applicants or current employed on a full-time basis and be at minimum 21 years old.[31][32]

Full-time Programmes (UC)

In 2014, full-time programme applicants were 6 to 10 polytechnic diploma holders while the rest had A-levels. The median grade point average (GPA) for the polytechnic graduates offered places was 3.4 out of 4.[33] In 2017, 4,900 applications competed for 580 places. 62 per cent applicants were polytechnic diploma holders and the rest A-level holders.[34]

In 2018, SUSS received 5,700 applications for 700 places.[35]

Law Programmes

In 2016, 388 applicants competed for 60 places in the Law Programmes. The selection process consisted of an interview with a four members panel to determine the candidates’ commitment in practicing criminal and family law.[36]

Bachelor of Laws

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme, applicants should have 3 passes in their respective GCE A-Level subjects. Specifically, the minimum requirement for a law applicant is an S for H1 General Paper or H2 Knowledge and Inquiry and pass for Mother Tongue Language B. They also have to take the UK Law National Aptitude Test and other than fresh school-leavers provide full CV on their work experience.

Juris Doctor

The Juris Doctor programme was for people who already have a degree to study law and admit into the Singapore Bar to become members of the Singapore legal profession.

Bachelor of Accountancy (Part-Time)

Besides fulfilling the general admissions criteria, applicants into the part-time Accountancy programme will be assessed based on academic merit, relevant work experience and communication skills.[37]

Accelerated Pathway Programme

SUSS offers local Polytechnic students who have achieved good academic results to enrol in the Accelerated Pathway Programme for the following undergraduate programmes:

Bachelor of Building and Project Management
Bachelor of Engineering Aerospace Systems
Bachelor of Engineering Electronics
Bachelor of Social Work

Successful applicants should fulfil 20 credit units (cu) of courses from these undergraduate programmes while pursuing their Diploma courses. Upon completion of the Diploma courses and obtained the minimum GPA score for the Accelerated Pathway programme, students will be granted credit recognition when enrolled with SUSS for their undergraduate studies.[38]

Academic schools

The university currently offers more than 70 degree programmes through five schools.

School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences

SUSS School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences offers the first and only translation & interpretation bachelor's degree programmes in Singapore. It deliver a range of programmes in languages, literatures, social sciences and translation. Additionally, the school provides certification for Professional Interpreters.

In 2018, the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) was renamed the School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences (SHBS).

School of Business

SUSS School of Business offers a diverse range of Business and Management programmes.

The Bachelor of Accountancy (part-time included) is accredited by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA). Similar to accountancy degrees from other Singapore autonomous universities, SUSS Accountancy degrees are eligible for direct entry into the Singapore CA Qualification to become a Chartered Accountant of Singapore.[39][40][41]

S R Nathan School of Human Development

In 2018, School of Human Development and Social Services was renamed the S R Nathan School of Human Development (NSHD) in honor of Singapore's sixth president, Mr S. R. Nathan’s advocacy of social and community causes when he was the patron of SUSS.[42]

The School offers a range of programmes in Counselling, Early Childhood Education, Human Resource Management and Social Work. The Gerontology programme is offered at the postgraduate level.

School of Law

In January 2017, SUSS School of Law received its first batch of 60 law students under its four year LLB and JD programmes.[43] Similar to other Singapore autonomous universities, both the LLB and JD programmes are recognised degrees under the Singapore Legal Profession Act and qualified persons with a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible to sit for the Bar Examination.[44][45]

The school also offers Master of Taxation in collaboration with the Tax Academy of Singapore.

School of Science and Technology

SUSS School of Science and Technology offers a range of programmes in Aerospace Systems, Built Environment, Engineering, Military Studies and Technology.

The Bachelor of Building and Project Management is accredited by the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The BSc Facilities and Events Management is accredited by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) and the RICS.[46][47]

The BEng Aeropsace Systems is undergoing full accreditation and BEng Electronics is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) of Singapore, Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES).[48][49]

College of Lifelong and Experiential Learning

SUSS LifE logo

In 8 September 2018, SUSS launched the College of Lifelong and Experiential Learning (CLEL) which adopts the SUSS LifE brand of education otherwise known as 'lifelong and experiential learning'. The initiative provides for learning before, during and after University education. SUSS LifE also represents SUSS's open and inclusive admissions approach towards individuals of various ages, backgrounds and stages of life.[50][51]

There are three sub-units within CLEL:

  • Centre for Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE)
  • Centre for University Core (CUC)
  • Centre for Experiential Learning (CEL)

Graduate Employment

In 2018, according to guidelines by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), those with a fresh out of university degree in social work from the SUSS will earn $3,400 a month, up 4 per cent from $3,270.[52]

In 2018, SUSS reported that three months after graduates complete their degrees, 86 percent of them found jobs. 83 accountancy graduates found jobs with salaries at $3,800. This was $200 higher than other fresh accountancy graduates. The university attributed this to long work attachment programmes.[53]

Marriage and Baby Bonus scheme

In 2018, SUSS rolled out the Marriage and Baby Bonus scheme in support of marriage and parenthood to their part-time adult students. In order to qualify, they have to be Singaporeans or Singaporean Permanent Residents who has their marriages registered, or child's birth or adoption on or after July 2018.[54]

Centres

Centre for Applied Research

The Centre for Applied Research (CFAR) undertakes, administers and facilitates research and related activities. It also serves as an incubation centre for research programmes and projects. CFAR, being SUSS’s knowledge hub, maintains a repository of the knowledge output of all faculty, staff and students.[55][56]

The Centre, headed by the Director of Research, also runs a seminar series to showcase the research output of SUSS.

Centre for Chinese Studies @SUSS

The Centre for Chinese Studies @SUSS (CCS@SUSS), [57] serves as the university's one-stop resource centre to monitor trends and developments in the wider Chinese-speaking world to aid in making necessary adjustments in curriculum development and academic activities.

Centre for Continuing and Professional Education

The Centre for Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE) manages the continuing education and training (CET) and SkillsFuture initiatives of Singapore University of Social Sciences. It promotes continuing and professional education by identifying industry needs and working with the Schools to package or develop courses to meet these needs.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Milestones". SUSS. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  2. ↑ SIM University Annual Report 2014 | "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "SUSS Facts & Figures". Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore. Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Autonomous Universities in Singapore". Ministry of Education Singapore.
  5. 1 2 "SIM University renamed Singapore University of Social Sciences". Channel NewsAsia. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences to offer more full-time degree courses, places". straitstimes. Retrieved 2017-08-05.
  7. ↑ "SUSS Convocation 2017 – Our Inaugural Graduation Celebration As An Autonomous University". SUSS. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  8. ↑ "Employability boost for SUSS students at graduation". Straits Times. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "SUSS Schools". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  10. ↑ "SUSS UC". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  11. ↑ "SUSS Centres". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  12. ↑ "SUSS Campus Facilities". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  13. ↑ "SUSS External Premises" (PDF). suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  14. ↑ "Professor Cham Tao Soon Retires As Chancellor And Chairman Of SIM University; Succeeded By Mr Gerard Ee". SUSS. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  15. ↑ "Gerard Ee succeeds veteran professor as UniSIM head". SUSS. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  16. ↑ "Prof Cham Tao Soon". NTU. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  17. ↑ "SIM University closer to becoming Singapore's sixth autonomous university". SUSS SIM University closer to becoming Singapore's sixth autonomous university. 11 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Degree Certificate Request Registration Form". 2 February 2018.
  19. ↑ "SIM University To Be Renamed Singapore University Of Social Sciences". www.suss.edu.sg. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "SUSS Is Officially A Singapore Autonomous University". 11 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences Bill Second Reading Speech by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills)". Ministry of Education. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  22. ↑ "SIM University renamed Singapore University of Social Sciences". 17 March 2017.
  23. ↑ "SUSS to weave social impact into all courses". 12 October 2017.
  24. ↑ "SUSS Convocation 2017 – Our Inaugural Graduation Celebration As An Autonomous University". 2 February 2018.
  25. 1 2 "Programme Overview programmes". SUSS. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  26. ↑ "UC". SUSS. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  27. ↑ "UniSIM, SIT to launch full-time degree programmes". Today Online. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  28. ↑ "Collaborations with Overseas Universities". SUSS. 29 May 2018.
  29. 1 2 "Five More Community Torches Unveiled as Singaporeans Prepare to Rally as One". sportsingapore.gov.sg. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  30. 1 2 "Celebrate The Extraordinary". 28th SEA Games. 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  31. ↑ "SUSS Full-time Admission". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  32. ↑ "SUSS Part-time Admission". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  33. ↑ "1,500 apply for 200 places in full-time degree courses at UniSIM". Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  34. ↑ "SIT and SUSS draw growing number of applications". Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  35. ↑ Work attachments pay off for SUSS grads | http://www.suss.edu.sg/Happenings/Documents/MC2018-42.pdf
  36. ↑ "Huge demand for UniSIM law school despite lawyer glut". Today. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  37. ↑ "Bachelor of Accountancy". SUSS. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  38. ↑ "Accelerated Pathway Programme". SUSS. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  39. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences 2018 ADMISSIONS". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  40. ↑ "Singapore University of Social Sciences 2018 ADMISSIONS" (PDF). suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  41. ↑ "Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification". Singapore Accountancy Commission. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
  42. ↑ Singapore University of Social Sciences renames school after late president S R Nathan | http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-university-of-social-sciences-renames-school-after-late-president-s-r-nathan
  43. ↑ "New school's cohort urged to focus on family, criminal law". SUSS. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  44. ↑ "SUSS Bachelor of Laws". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  45. ↑ "SUSS Juris Doctor". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  46. ↑ "SUSS Bachelor of Building and Project Management". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  47. ↑ "SUSS BSc Facilities and Events Management". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  48. ↑ "SUSS BEng Aeropsace Systems". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  49. ↑ "SUSS BEng Electronics". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  50. ↑ "$500 lifelong learning credit for 30,000 SUSS alumni". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  51. ↑ "College for Lifelong & Experiential Learning (CLEL)". suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  52. ↑ Social service staff to get another pay rise, with monthly salary for social workers starting at $3,400 | http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/social-service-staff-to-get-another-pay-rise-with-monthly-salary-for-social-workers
  53. ↑ Work attachments pay off for SUSS grads | http://www.suss.edu.sg/Happenings/Documents/MC2018-42.pdf
  54. ↑ SUSS scheme rewards part-time students free modules if they marry or have children Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/suss-scheme-part-time-students-free-modules-marry-have-children-10529064 | https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/suss-scheme-part-time-students-free-modules-marry-have-children-10529064
  55. ↑ Centre for Applied Research | http://www.suss.edu.sg/about-suss/Centres/Pages/CFAR.aspx
  56. ↑ SUSS Research | http://www.suss.edu.sg/resources/Pages/Research.aspx
  57. ↑ "UniSIM Centre for Chinese Studies (UCCS) 新跃中华学术中心". SIM University. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.
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