Director's Message

"Having achieved the University’s target of sending 50 per cent of its
annual student cohort on overseas exposure, IRO is now actively
seeking multi-dimensional, multi-locational, multi-experiential education
and opportunities for our students."

A key strategic mission at NUS is to nurture graduates who can make an impact in a complex, globalised environment. NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, in his State of the University Address on 30 October 2009, said: “One of the most distinctive features of NUS is that we are a global university, one that pioneers novel models in global education and partnerships. As globalisation becomes more widespread, NUS must keep at the forefront of innovation in global education, research and institutional networks."

IRO is pivotal in NUS’ efforts to provide a transformative education by laboring diligently to weave connections with valued partners from around the world, resulting in opportunities for our students to explore and learn the world. Through experiences beyond the classroom, we hope to nurture students who are multi-faceted, with a keen sense of global awareness and cultural sensitivity.

In the past decade, we worked actively to build strong relationships with close to 180 partner universities. In 2010, we decided to regroup and rethink our efforts so as to support NUS’ strategies in the most effective way. The office was restructured in order to meet our new targets of providing a better quality experiential education and diverse opportunities for NUS students and staff. Instead of continuing in sections according to regions, we are now organised by our various functional foci: Global Education, Global Opportunities, Global Alliances and Networks, Marketing and Communications, and Business Systems and Administration. With the new structure, our resources are better streamlined to focus on the quality of our programmes, partnerships, visits and events.

Having achieved the University’s target of sending 50 per cent of its annual student cohort on overseas exposure, IRO is now actively seeking multi-dimensional, multi-locational, multi-experiential education and opportunities for our students. Beyond the SEP, students can choose to enrich their learning experiences through programmes such as the International Summer Programmes (i-SP), International Internships (i-Intern), and International Research Attachment Programmes (i-RAP). IRO also administers awards and scholarships funded by the university and external organisations such as Lee Foundation and Temasek Foundation.

In a globalised environment, it is increasingly important for institutions to work together. NUS has formed global alliances with leading universities worldwide including the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU); the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU); Universitas 21 (U21); and the ASEAN University Network (AUN). As the liaison office for institutional networks, IRO plays a key role in organising and hosting events such as the 8th ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum and the 5th APRU Undergraduate Summer Program.

With our new IRO organisational structure in place and by continuously living the IRO S.P.A.R.K (our core values), IRO aims to continue providing a quality experience for our exchange students and seeking alternative global pathways to send our students abroad.

We can only do this with your continuing support! Thank you for being engaged with us.

Associate Professor Anne Pakir
Director
International Relations Office