DR TONY Tan made a speech on the role of higher education partnerships at Boston University last Friday ('Fourth university may rope in US and China institutions').

He said the fourth public university will be a 'unique tripartite partnership in higher education between the US, China and Singapore, offering students a truly enriching learning experience that will equip them well to meet the complex demands of a globalised knowledge-based economy'. He also suggested it offer programmes with 'strong inter-disciplinary flavour' from the onset.

I could not agree more. Many indicators have shown that, within 30 years, China will be the largest economy in the world and the United States will likely remain the most advanced. The role of high-tech manufacturing as an engine of Singapore's economic growth is likely to diminish in coming decades, as it is replaced more and more by knowledge- and research-intensive activities.

In the 21st-century economy, innovation, enterprise, patents, a pristine reputation and a stable political climate will be key to Singapore's continued prosperity. The convergence of these five factors will likely become our exclusive niche to attract investment and tourists in many years to come.

Thus setting up a university with strong Sino-US connections is not only forward-looking, but also strategic. Introducing global exposure programmes in the current universities is bold and wise, but, because it is 'retrofitted', only a limited number of students can benefit.

I look forward to the fourth university being structured so that all its students are not only acquainted with Sino-US culture, but also taught to take a global perspective. These graduates will be an invaluable asset to Singapore.

Tay Xiong Sheng

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 18, 2008.