NUS Launching Double Degree in Business and Public Policy
The National University of Singapore's (NUS) Business School and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy will launch in July 2007 a dual-degree programme in business and public policy.
“The Bachelor in Business Administration with Honours and Master in Public Policy degree is an innovative new programme offered by NUS Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,” said Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Combining the strengths of both NUS Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, this new dual degree programme – the first of its kind in the region – aims to attract the region’s outstanding undergraduates; particularly those who intend to pursue careers in government and its enterprises. Business students on this accelerated programme will complete the two degrees in 4½ to 5 years instead of the 6 years needed to earn the degrees separately. Business undergraduates can apply to join this programme after their second year.
“We hope to attract some really bright students from Singapore and the region, and are looking to governments here to put their future and current high-fliers through the rigorous leadership and management training provided in this premier programme for the government and its enterprises,“ said Professor Christopher Earley, Dean of NUS Business School.
The programme will also appeal to corporations keen to develop their high-potential managers on a management and leadership track.
Both NUS Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy have long been preparing their students for leadership in the private and public sectors. Designed to nurture and develop leaders, the broad-based NUS BBA programme prepares students to lead people and manage operations in organisations in the public and private sectors.
Dean Earley explains, “In the fast-paced complex global economy, policies and regulations set by governments are critical factors for maximizing gains and opportunities in trade, business, investments and economic growth. A broad-based education in management and business, coupled with specialised training in public policy, enables top-tier administrative officers in government and their enterprises to be visionary, strategic, prudent, pragmatic policy-makers, and enterprising administrators.”
This unique dual-degree also represents the two School’s commitment to innovation and remaining relevant to the needs of today’s new marketplace.
“One of the major trends of our time has been the convergence between the public and private sectors. In the past, they were perceived to be in different compartments. Now we are seeing increasing cooperation between both sectors,” observed Dean Mahbubani. “For example, there is greater involvement by the private sector in the provision of public services. Equally, we are seeing a greater involvement of the public sector in the promotion of business as nations vie with each other to promote themselves as desirable destinations for investment and to ensure a level playing field for their companies. We are also seeing an increase in the two-way flow of talent between the public and private sectors, a flow that on the whole has been beneficial. This may well be the area where our new joint programme could add the most value. Graduates of the BBA – MPP programme will be well versed in the languages of both business and government, comfortable operating in both domains. By being effectively bilingual, they will have a unique competitive advantage in the marketplace. They could also become the leaders in promoting public-private partnerships.”
About NUS Business School
NUS Business School is an internationally recognised business school with high quality student cohorts and a world-class faculty, known for its extensive knowledge of western business practices and technology, and its deep understanding of Asia. As Asia’s global business school with the unique ability to provide the best of East and West in management thought and tools, the School is the first in Asean and among the first in the Asia-Pacific to be accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) for meeting the highest standard of achievement in education and research for business schools worldwide. It has been rated consistently as the top business school in the Asia-Pacific by regional publications such as Asia Inc and Chief Executive China; and been ranked among the world's top 100 business schools by the Economist Intelligence Unit and The Financial Times.
About Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy offers prospective graduate students with a unique opportunity for public policy education in a distinctive environment that is at once both Asian and global. The principles of public policy taught in the School are universally applied. However, its location in Asia and its diverse student body provide a valuable opportunity to network with future generations of Asian policymakers as well as gain insight into the latest thinking in Asian minds. Our growing partnerships with sister institutions in Asia, Europe and North America also help to generate a truly international environment in the School which will prove both rewarding and welcoming for students from every corner of the globe.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Mary Lee
Corporate Development & Communications Manager
NUS Business School
National University of Singapore
Tel: (65) 6516 8996
Email:
Ms Christie Goh Sheau Yeu
Corporate Development Executive
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
National University of Singapore
Tel: (65) 6516 6197
Email:
Mr Lawrence Chai
Manager, Media Relations
Office of Corporate Relations
National University of Singapore
Tel: (65) 65161355
Email:
