Australian higher education institutions with campuses in Singapore can now request to brand themselves “universities” under renewed commitments to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The policy change will immediately affect JCU Singapore, which will now be able change its name from James Cook Australia Institute of Higher Learning. The government of Singapore has also committed to develop processes for future requests from other institutions.
JCU vice-chancellor Sandra Harding said the policy change will add legitimacy to the campus that was established in 2003 and is wholly owned and run by the university.
“This clarification will improve our ability to deal with various agencies, accreditation bodies, institutions, and industry partners who may have been confused about the campus’ status,” she said in a statement. “The announcement will also highlight the strong and growing links between northern Australia and Singapore.”
“This clarification will improve our ability to deal with industry partners who may have been confused about the campus’ status”
Other efforts to improve the bilateral cooperation will facilitate greater internship opportunities between the two countries through a Work and Holiday Programme.
Travellers from Singapore will be now eligible for multi-year visas, which currently expire after a year.
The renewed commitments will also see Singapore recognise law degrees from ten Australian universities, which acting vice-chancellor professor Susan Elliott of the University of Melbourne has welcomed.
“As a university we’ve always been very proud of the diverse, international student cohort that we attract to our campuses and this decision further entrenches the Law School as a preferred destination for legal studies for students from around the world,” she said.
Established in 2015 as part of the Singapore Australia Fair Trade Agreement signed in 2003, the CSP agreement includes education and innovation initiatives and seeks to establish a professional services framework to support mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the fields of law, medicine, allied health, engineering and accounting.
At a news conference held earlier this month, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull remarked that the renewed CSP agreement is a “massive upgrading” of his country’s relations with Singapore.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore also praised the “landmark agreement” and stated that both countries will move quickly to implement the various measures.
The partnership bolsters already significant ties between the two long-term education partners. According to Australian Alumni Singapore, more than 130,000 Singaporeans have graduated from Australian universities. Perhaps the most prominent is none other than the President of Singapore, his Excellency Dr. Tony Tan, a PhD graduate from the University of Adelaide.
