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WORKING LIFE
Parent works for SMU? No need to pay fees
By Judith Tan
UNDERGRADUATE Jason Chiang is aiming for a double degree in law and psychology at the Singapore Management University (SMU).
The 25-year-old's tuition fees would have been expensive for his parents. Luckily they don't have to pay - because his mother works at the university.
Mrs Ruth Chiang, who has been employed in the career services department for more than 10 years, said she was 'pleasantly surprised' when she found out SMU was footing the bill.
Its policy of providing free tuition for children of staff started in 2003, three years after SMU's inauguration. The move is designed to help look after the welfare of staff and recognise their contributions.
Mr Terence Tan, SMU's director from the office of human resources and faculty administration, said that as a university that advocates innovation and creativity, it wanted to push the envelope.
'Just as we nurture our students to become dynamic out-of-the-box thinkers, we have adopted a creative and forward-thinking approach in our human resource policies,' he said.
The university's management hopes this benefit would help it continue to attract and retain staff of the highest quality.
To qualify, staff must have worked at SMU for at least three years, and their children must already have qualified for admission on their own merits.
If their child is accepted, they can save up to $10,920 a year for law tuition, for instance.
In the last seven years, 14 children of SMU staff have benefited from the scheme. Mr Tan called it 'a best practice we have learnt and adopted from some of the more progressive universities in the world'.
A check by The Straits Times found SMU to be the only university here offering employees such savings. A National University of Singapore (NUS) spokesman said the university does not waive tuition fees for the children of staff. However, those who are eligible can apply for a wide range of scholarships and financial assistance schemes such as bursaries, loans and subsidies.
'NUS adopts a holistic approach to staff welfare, benefits and development. Our staff have access to comprehensive benefits such as medical insurance coverage as well as scholarships, fellowships and training sponsorships to encourage lifelong learning.' she said.
The Nanyang Technological University is not dismissing the idea of free tuition for the children of its employees. In an e-mail reply to The Straits Times, a spokesman said the institution's human resource policies are constantly reviewed 'to keep pace with the changing needs of our staff, as well as the evolving trends in the workforce and the market'.
He added: 'This ensures that the university maintains its competitive edge as a progressive and attractive employer for its current and potential staff members. Though we currently do not have a policy of free tuition for children of our staff, we may consider implementing it should the need arise in future.'
Madam Ho Geok Choo, chief executive of Human Capital (Singapore), said companies adopt various strategies and programmes to attract and retain competent and deserving staff, and in the case of SMU, the free tuition accorded to the children of staff who choose to study there is a win-win strategy for both the staff and SMU.
'This scheme serves as a perk to staff, in the form of free tuition for their children, and it also helps to boost enrolment numbers at SMU,' she said.
Mr Josh Goh, 36, assistant director for corporate services at recruitment agency GMP Group, said the move helps to differentiate SMU from the other universities here.
'For a university with a good reputation like SMU, it does help, to a certain extent. However, the impact may not be across the board for all. For instance, it would help retain staff with children who are eligible for university education in the near future. But for those with very young or adult children, there should be other alternatives.'
As for Mrs Chiang, the savings from the waiver of her son's tuition fee allowed her to contribute towards his education in other ways.
'We were able to get him a better laptop for his studies and projects; even pay for his trips when he goes for exchange programmes in Atlanta, New York and next year in Washington. He was never wanting,' she said.
Her son wants to champion the legal rights of those with mental disorders after he graduates next year.
'I did my internship at Rajah & Tann and I am looking forward to joining it after graduating,' he said.
Parent works for SMU? No need to pay fees
By Judith Tan
UNDERGRADUATE Jason Chiang is aiming for a double degree in law and psychology at the Singapore Management University (SMU).
The 25-year-old's tuition fees would have been expensive for his parents. Luckily they don't have to pay - because his mother works at the university.
Mrs Ruth Chiang, who has been employed in the career services department for more than 10 years, said she was 'pleasantly surprised' when she found out SMU was footing the bill.
Its policy of providing free tuition for children of staff started in 2003, three years after SMU's inauguration. The move is designed to help look after the welfare of staff and recognise their contributions.
Mr Terence Tan, SMU's director from the office of human resources and faculty administration, said that as a university that advocates innovation and creativity, it wanted to push the envelope.
'Just as we nurture our students to become dynamic out-of-the-box thinkers, we have adopted a creative and forward-thinking approach in our human resource policies,' he said.
The university's management hopes this benefit would help it continue to attract and retain staff of the highest quality.
To qualify, staff must have worked at SMU for at least three years, and their children must already have qualified for admission on their own merits.
If their child is accepted, they can save up to $10,920 a year for law tuition, for instance.
In the last seven years, 14 children of SMU staff have benefited from the scheme. Mr Tan called it 'a best practice we have learnt and adopted from some of the more progressive universities in the world'.
A check by The Straits Times found SMU to be the only university here offering employees such savings. A National University of Singapore (NUS) spokesman said the university does not waive tuition fees for the children of staff. However, those who are eligible can apply for a wide range of scholarships and financial assistance schemes such as bursaries, loans and subsidies.
'NUS adopts a holistic approach to staff welfare, benefits and development. Our staff have access to comprehensive benefits such as medical insurance coverage as well as scholarships, fellowships and training sponsorships to encourage lifelong learning.' she said.
The Nanyang Technological University is not dismissing the idea of free tuition for the children of its employees. In an e-mail reply to The Straits Times, a spokesman said the institution's human resource policies are constantly reviewed 'to keep pace with the changing needs of our staff, as well as the evolving trends in the workforce and the market'.
He added: 'This ensures that the university maintains its competitive edge as a progressive and attractive employer for its current and potential staff members. Though we currently do not have a policy of free tuition for children of our staff, we may consider implementing it should the need arise in future.'
Madam Ho Geok Choo, chief executive of Human Capital (Singapore), said companies adopt various strategies and programmes to attract and retain competent and deserving staff, and in the case of SMU, the free tuition accorded to the children of staff who choose to study there is a win-win strategy for both the staff and SMU.
'This scheme serves as a perk to staff, in the form of free tuition for their children, and it also helps to boost enrolment numbers at SMU,' she said.
Mr Josh Goh, 36, assistant director for corporate services at recruitment agency GMP Group, said the move helps to differentiate SMU from the other universities here.
'For a university with a good reputation like SMU, it does help, to a certain extent. However, the impact may not be across the board for all. For instance, it would help retain staff with children who are eligible for university education in the near future. But for those with very young or adult children, there should be other alternatives.'
As for Mrs Chiang, the savings from the waiver of her son's tuition fee allowed her to contribute towards his education in other ways.
'We were able to get him a better laptop for his studies and projects; even pay for his trips when he goes for exchange programmes in Atlanta, New York and next year in Washington. He was never wanting,' she said.
Her son wants to champion the legal rights of those with mental disorders after he graduates next year.
'I did my internship at Rajah & Tann and I am looking forward to joining it after graduating,' he said.
