THE late President Ong Teng Cheong went there, so did former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, as well as four current cabinet Ministers.

And now every year 4,000 Singaporeans head Down Under to get their university degrees.

This strong educational bond between Australia and Singapore is an indication of the global reach of higher education, said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 6th Australian Universities International Alumni Convention at the Suntec Convention Centre, Dr Ng outlined the direction of Singapore's higher education sector.

He said that Singapore students need to be 'world ready' and universities must continue forging partnerships with other universities in the world.

The target is to send one-third of secondary and junior college students, and up to 50 per cent of tertiary students, for at least one overseas experience, such as taking part in overseas immersion programmes and overseas community projects.

Touching on Singapore's model, Dr Ng made it clear that the bedrock of Singapore's education system was to keep it relevant and meaningful.

'Our higher education system is also unapologetically, I might add, closely attuned to the need to make education relevant to help Singaporeans find a job and remain employable,' he said.

The Ministries of Manpower, Trade and Industry, and Education together annually look at the economic prospects for graduates and the demand before setting places in the institutions.

Increasing the number of university graduates is not the main objective - instead it is to ensure high quality graduates from all tertiary instituitions, stressed Dr Ng.

'These public institutions do differ in mission and types of students they attract but all must have high standards and strive to be the best in class,' he said of the university, polytechnic and vocational training models here.