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Parliament: MPs file 10 questions on Yale-NUS, USP merger for Sept 13 sitting

SINGAPORE — The merger of the Yale-NUS College and the University Scholars Programme (USP) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) will be on the agenda when Parliament sits next Monday (Sept 13).

Dr Jamus Lim, opposition party Member of Parliament, has asked if there were any financial factors involved in the decision to merge Yale-NUS College with a scholar's programme at the National University of Singapore.

Dr Jamus Lim, opposition party Member of Parliament, has asked if there were any financial factors involved in the decision to merge Yale-NUS College with a scholar's programme at the National University of Singapore.

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  • Eight MPs have filed a total of 10 questions on the merger of Yale-NUS College and a scholars programme at NUS
  • Issues raised include the motivation for the decision and the possible impact on the quality of education
  • Other MPs’ questions relate to irregularities identified in the Auditor General’s report for the 2020-21 financial year

 

SINGAPORE — The merger of the Yale-NUS College and the University Scholars Programme (USP) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) will be on the agenda when Parliament sits next Monday (Sept 13).

Eight Members of Parliament (MPs) have filed a total of 10 questions regarding the planned merger, which will see the end of NUS’ 10-year tie-up with Yale University of the United States.

Late last month, NUS announced that this year’s batch of students enrolled in Yale-NUS College will be its last. The college will remain open and continue running its academic, co-curricular and research programmes until the end of academic year 2024/2025.

This prompted an outcry from student leaders at Yale-NUS College, who urged NUS’ administration to provide greater transparency and accountability on the decision to merge the college with the USP.

Dr Jamus Lim, MP for Sengkang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), has asked for the motivations behind the decision to merge the two programmes and if any financial factors featured in the decision.

He also asked whether Yale University had provided any indication of willingness to continue the partnership beyond 2025.

East Coast GRC MP Cheryl Chan asked whether the closure of the Yale-NUS College will affect the quality of education for students and what will be done to address the potential concerns about the credibility of the degree and post-graduate opportunities.

Also on the agenda for Monday is the issue of irregularities found in the audited documents mentioned in the Report of the Auditor General for the 2020 to 2021 financial year.

The yearly audit of the public sector by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) had found “possible irregularities” in the records of three government ministries and two statutory boards, including at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh asked questions on the action the Government intends to take with regards to the irregularities found in the audited documents. He also asked for updates on these investigations.

Five questions were posed to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth with respect to the report by the AGO.

Among others, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, MP for Potong Pasir, asked whether the People’s Association internal audits have picked up any of the lapses raised by the AGO.

Questions have also been submitted to the Manpower Minister with regards to the changes to the local qualifying salary requirement for companies.

At his National Day Rally last month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that companies hiring foreign workers will be required to pay all their Singapore employees a “local qualifying salary”, which is set at S$1,400 a month.

Mr Lee said that this was being done to help lift the livelihoods of lower-wage workers over the long term.

Ms Cheng Li Hui, MP for Tampines GRC, has asked the Manpower Minister on how the ministry will ensure that businesses do not profiteer under the pretext of having to pay higher wages.

Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa from the Progress Singapore Party asked for the number of Singapore workers earning less that S$1,400 a month who will not be covered by the changes to the local qualifying salary requirement.

On Singapore’s battle against Covid-19, Mr Alex Yam, MP for Marsiling Yew-Tee GRC, submitted questions on the long-term outlook and healthcare plans for Singapore when the coronavirus is endemic.

On Monday, six Bills will be introduced, including the Sedition (Repeal) Bill and the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill.

Related topics

Parliament Yale-NUS College AGO Covid-19 law local qualifying salary

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