PSB Academy: Higher quality, better outcomes

SINGAPORE - A slew of initiatives have recently been implemented to raise the bar on the quality of private education institutions (PEIs) in Singapore.

In the works are grants, specialist training and more efficient administration dedicated for PEIs to improve its infrastructure and systems, and raise teachers' teaching and assessment capabilities.

More than $20 million has been committed to support close to 20 education innovation projects over the last year to spearhead efforts to improve learning outcomes, increase teacher productivity and enhance resource optimisation.

Among them are pro-student schemes such as The Virtual Career Centre - a career service solution developed by JobsCentral that provides PEIs with a shared career services support platform to address students' employability needs and raise their international profile.

New courses are constantly introduced by PEIs such as Digital Media, Tourism and Hospitality and Business and Marketing, to cater to industry needs.

Structured internship programmes by PEIs give students a head start to full time employment and to practise the theories they have learnt.

These days, PEIs' student-centric campus settings and outside the classroom learning opportunities further cultivate and boost students' learning beyond their academic potential.

To catapult students into the international league, PEIs are partnering globally recognised universities to raise the calibre of their programmes with a range of degree and master's programmes.

Imbuing confidence and competence

Many graduates from PEIs are able to find jobs upon graduation. For example, at PSB Academy, 75 per cent of its graduates found a job within six months upon graduation.

Some 33 per cent of PSB Academy degree graduates enjoy both pay increment and promotion, while 94 per cent of PSB Academy graduates are currently employed and working in either a full-time or part-time job, according to a PSB Academy 2012 Graduate and Employment Study.

Says Dr Susie Khoo, dean and senior vicepresident of PSB Academy: "Our distinctive course structure responds directly to the resultsoriented demands of today's workplace while satisfying academic rigour. Our aims are for our graduates to achieve both the confidence and competence to achieve the results in their personal and professional lives."

PSB Academy partners with renowned universities in Australia and the United Kingdom to offer a comprehensive suite of multi-disciplinary degree programmes.

The University of Newcastle Australia (UON) is ranked 11th in Australia (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2011 - 2012) and is among the Top 15 Australian universities for research (Excellence in Research for Australia, ARC 2011).

Certificate and diploma courses are also available at PSB Academy, which was named the Top 3 Best Private schools by AsiaOne People's Choice Awards 2011.

Ms Fatin Diana picked PSB Academy to pursue her Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Tourism) degree by UON as she likes its vibrant school life and networking opportunities.

"I was lucky to have my subject tutor who imparted valuable knowledge based on personal experiences that sharpened my critical thinking about this exciting industry and further developed my love of studying tourism," says Ms Fatin about her favourite module in Principles of Tourism.

Fellow undergraduate Amelia Clarissa (above right) who holds a diploma from PSB Academy, is enjoying her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Management studies by the Manchester Metropolitan University at PSB Academy.

MMU is ranked Top 20 in the UK for teaching quality (The Complete University Guide 2013), and most popular University in the UK with more than 52,000 undergraduate applications for 2011 intake (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service, UK).

"It is well-organised with helpful lecturers. I can relate what I study to the real work environment," says Ms Clarissa.

Manchester Metropolitan University:

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Management

WHAT: Grooms students for careers in accounting and finance

DURATION: 2 years

FEES: $32,100

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Accounting & Finance

WHAT: Equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to become a business leader or entrepreneur.

DURATION: 2 years

FEES: $32,100

Entry requirements for the above: GCE A Levels or PSB Academy Diploma in Business Administration or Diploma from local Polytechnic or other educational institutions (diploma holders may gain direct entry into year 2 depending on their grades).

Minimum Mathematics and English proficiency requirements such as minimum Grade C in GCE O Levels.

The University of Newcastle (UON):

Bachelor of Business (with majors in Management and Marketing)

WHAT: A popular degree offered by UON that grooms students to face the challenges in the new economy.

DURATION: 3 years/2 years for students granted exemptions.

FEES: $48,792

Bachelor of Business (with majors in Marketing and Tourism)

WHAT: Equips students with the relevant knowledge and expertise to excel in the booming tourism and hospitality industry.

DURATION: 3 years/2 years for students granted exemptions.

FEES:$48,792

Bachelor of Information Technology (with majors in Business Information & Communication Technology and Software Development & Applications)

WHAT: A multi-disciplinary programme that hones skills in developing application solutions and building robust business systems.

DURATION: 3 years/2 years for students granted exemptions.

FEES:$48,792

Entry requirements for the above: Minimum 5 GCE O level credits including English (second languages are excluded).

Applicants who do not speak English as first language must meet the University's English proficiency requirement.

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