Home / Politics and Government

Open University Degree Programme

The Open University Degree Programme (OUDP) is run by Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) in a 5 year tie-up with the British Open University. The Singapore Institute of Management launched Singapore's Open University (SOU) in January 1994 with the help of S$38 million capital grant from the government. The objective of having an open university is to cater to working adults who want to purse degrees through part-time study. Three degrees were offered to the first batch of intakes: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature.

The SOU received overwhelming response when it opened the enrolment for its first year, causing SIM to double its intake quota from 500 to 1000. Out of the 3,152 applications received, 50% was for the Computer Science course. Non-graduate teachers and polytechnic students made up 90% of the first batch. 37 lecturers and tutors were hired for the first run.

Applicants to the OUDP must be at least 21 years, have at least two years' work experience (National Service is also considered), and have two A-levels or a recognized diploma qualification. The degrees conferred by the SOU are recognized by the Public Service Commission, and non-graduate teachers upon graduating will be placed on the same pay scale as graduate teachers from other universities.

Pioneer intakes of the OUDP had their first class on 31 January 1994 at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic, a venue that SIM had leased out while waiting for its new building in Clementi which was ready in end 1999.



Author
Nor Afidah



References
Mainly non-grad teachers, poly grads in Open Us first batch. (1993, November 4). The Straits Times, p. 22.

Open U - SIM to kick off in 1994 with three degree courses. (1992, June 10). The Straits Times, p. 3.

SIM takes up Govt offer to run Open U courses. (1992, June 10). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Singapore Institute of Management. (n.d.). SIM Open University Centre Programmes (SIM-OUC). Retreived December 30, 2004, from www1.sim.edu.sg/sim/pub/gen/sim_pub_gen_content.cfm?mnuid=216. 

The information in this article is valid as at 1997 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>Education
Education--Singapore
Adult education--Singapore
Education>>Higher education>>Colleges and universities



All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2004.