The global benchmark continued to be upheld by the University for the competitive edge it brings to an educational landscape that is becoming increasingly global. As a platform for the University to realise its mission, it is translated in the relentless pursuit of excellence that grooms talent for the global knowledge-based economy and creates new knowledge of international impact.

The two thrusts are achieved by the university community working synergistically together in an open environment that cuts across all boundaries, whether disciplinary, cultural or geographical.

In transcending disciplines, the University leverages on its strength as a comprehensive university to offer double-degree programmes that combine different but complementary disciplines. This is in keeping with its definition of quality education as one that enables students to maximise their potential with wide-ranging opportunities. The first double-degree programme was introduced in the year, combining economics with law. Encouraged by the response, NUS announced new offerings in the combinations of business administration with law, engineering with economics, and engineering with business administration.

In another interdisciplinary mode, the Faculties of Engineering and Science joined forces to administer a new Engineering Science Programme to nurture a new breed of engineer-scientists. In a leap that bridged two disparate disciplines, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine announced their joint establishment of a Master of Science (Speech and Language Pathology) programme. The introduction of an MBA programme with a cross-disciplinary focus made NUS the first university in Asia to offer an MBA with specialisation in real estate.

Global linkages to provide NUS students with the best teaching resources and a global outlook continued to grow. This year, the thrust was strongest in the development of graduate programmes with international partners. Tie ups with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, as well as the Australian National University brought on stream joint doctoral programmes in engineering. A partnership forged with New York University’s School of Law introduced a dual Master of Laws degree programme.

Opportunities for students to take up study stints in overseas campuses continued to grow. New exchange agreements signed in the year brought to a total 211 active exchange programmes that will enable students to gain insights and sensitivities which will serve them well in an increasingly interconnected world. NUS’ prestigious University Scholars Programme took to engaging the equally prestigious Yuanpei Programme of Peking University in an exchange format that will equip participants with strong bicultural capabilities by immersing them in the history and society of the host country.

The year saw an impetus in the growth of summer schools as a form of exchange. Joint summer programmes were taught with Yale University, University of New South Wales, University of Toronto, Texas A&M University and University of California, Los Angeles, in which undergraduates from both universities learn alongside each other.