Newcastle becomes global university

Sep 19 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

NEWCASTLE University today opens its first overseas campus, in Singapore, with a traditional North East industry at its core.

The new Marine International Campus, in the established Ngee Ann Polytechnic, is hoped to enhance the university’s reputation as a world leaders in the field.

It is the university’s first permanent offshore venture, offering students the opportunity to take Newcastle degrees without travelling to the UK.

Head of the School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle Professor Richard Birmingham said: “This is an exciting development for the university and the school, enabling us to respond to the huge global demand for marine technology graduates with high quality programmes delivered in two locations on opposite sides of the world.

“Shipping is a key industry in Singapore and this new venture offers benefits to staff and students based both here and in Singapore.

“Vacation placements, study trips and staff exchanges will enrich the quality of the student experience for all our undergraduates.”

Shipbuilding was one of the region’s most important industries and it was names such as Armstrong, Parsons and Swan that put the North East firmly on the map as a world leader in marine technology and engineering.

Now it has been succeeded by research and world-class expertise, with Newcastle University leading the way in marine technology. Sixty Singaporean students will start at the new campus this week.

Offering degrees in naval architecture with marine engineering and naval architecture with offshore engineering, NUMI has four full-time resident staff, its own lecture theatre, study rooms and labs.

Newcastle’s Professor of Marine Informatics Professor Ehsan Mesbahi said that while most of the lectures would be delivered by the permanent staff in Singapore, the idea was for the students to feel a part of Newcastle University.

“We have a long tradition of Singapore students coming to Newcastle to study, but demand for the course is far higher than we can accommodate here in the UK, which is why we have forged these new links abroad,” he said.

“Via email and video-conferencing, students will be able to engage with our staff in the UK as well as the team based in Singapore.

“They will also be able to take part in lectures and projects alongside our British students – breaking down the physical barriers to become one global Newcastle University.”

Part of the new degree programme will see the students in Singapore travel to the UK for four weeks in summer to experience life on the Newcastle campus.

It is also hoped that Newcastle students in the UK will benefit from the thriving maritime industry in Singapore through vacation placements and study visits.

Pro-vice-chancellor for the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering Professor Oliver Hinton said: “We are delighted to build on our long-standing tradition of excellence in the marine sector by working closely with maritime industries in Singapore and by delivering the best Singaporean graduates for the future.”

They will be able to take part in lectures and projects alongside our British students