By Sandra Davie, Senior Writer

IN THESE trying economic times, everyone is looking for a bargain - even in education.

SIM University (UniSIM), which runs part-time degree courses in the evenings and weekends for working adults, has seen a doubling in the number of applications since the Government offered to pay 40 per cent of fees for every student.

On Tuesday, when applications closed for its second intake for the year in July, it had received a record 3,508 applications for the 1,600 places on offer. In January last year, before the Government announced the subsidy, it received 1,747 applications.

Since the economy took a nose-dive and the Government offered to pay 40 per cent of the fees for part-time degree courses at UniSIM and the three other local universities starting in July, the number of UniSIM applicants has steadily grown. This year's first intake in January received 2,717 applicants.

UniSIM fees average $24,000 for a three-year course. With the subsidy, it would cost just $14,400.

Significantly, half of the latest batch of applicants fell within the 21 to 25 age group. For the January batch, about 40 per cent fell into the same age group.

A dozen of those interviewed by The Straits Times said they chose UniSIM as a good and cheaper alternative to doing equivalent studies at private schools or the other universities here.

Mr Richard Tan, 22, a polytechnic engineering graduate who works part-time as a sales manager, said he chose UniSIM because of the heavily discounted tuition fees. Another factor: At UniSIM, he stands a better chance of being accepted into the business degree course.

'Even if I could get a place in the local universities, it would cost about $25,000 in tuition fees over three years. UniSim will cost me $14,000 over three years and I can keep working,' he said.

Ms Nurul Jannah, 24, was offered a place in the arts and social sciences faculty at the National University of Singapore a few years ago. However, because she needed to work to help support her four siblings, she opted to wait a few years and study part-time to obtain a degree.

The A-level holder, who now works at a public relations firm, plans to pursue a business degree specialising in finance, so that she can go into investor relations. Besides the 40 per cent subsidy incentive, she said she picked UniSIM because its courses are tailored to meet the needs of students who have to balance work and study.

UniSIM president Cheong Hee Kiat said the university is filling an important role in catering to part of the growing demand for tertiary education.

He said: 'The three universities can offer only so many places a year. For the rest, it is overseas or the private school route. But now, they have a viable alternative through UniSIM. What's more, the Government is footing 40 per cent of their fees.' He added that the subsidy being extended to UniSIM is a recognition of its quality.

The subsidies are for working adults who are citizens and have not had subsidised undergraduate education here, to give them a shot at higher qualifications.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.