UniSIM to offer graduates free modular courses

SINGAPORE — SIM University (UniSIM) students can now look forward to free modular courses after they graduate, with the help of SkillsFuture funding.

About 200 of the university’s 600 degree-level courses — in areas such as Accountancy, Biomedical Sciences and ICT & Media —  qualify for SkillsFuture funding, said UniSIM chairman Professor Cheong Hee Kiat at the 10th UniSIM Convocation today (Oct 7).

As such, the university’s alumni can take two UniSIM-SkillsFuture modular courses for free within the first two years of graduation under the Alumni Continuing Education (ACE) programme. 

ACE was launched in 2008 to encourage the alumni to return to UniSIM, which targets working adults and adult learners, to upgrade their skills and knowledge by providing a discount of 20 per cent for modular courses.

Those who decide to take non-SkillsFuture courses, or more than two courses, need only pay a small fee.

Prof Cheong added: “Our goal is to be a university for lifelong learning, providing for those who wish to continue after school, or work first then upgrade, or have a mix of both as they build their career, and for those who wish to continue learning right past retirement.”

Ms Mystica Ann de Conceicao, 50, who graduated recently with a Bachelor of Science in Facilities, said she would definitely return to UniSIM.

“My mindset is continuing education. At UniSIM, we’re surrounded by mentors and lecturers who encourage us to learn and not to stop ... I’m encouraged that they’re putting their money where their mouth is.”
Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, in his address at the convocation ceremony, urged students to stay competitive and employable.

He warned that while youth and PME (professionals, managers and executives) unemployment is low in Singapore, the country is “not immune to growing uncertainty and keener competition in the global economy”.

However, Mr Lim said the Government is committed to creating “as good and as many employment and career opportunities as possible”.