FOR COURSES ABROAD: Principals attending an interactive session on `Singapore Education' organised by the Singapore Tourism Board in the city. — PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

COIMBATORE: The United States and the United Kingdom are the two most favoured destinations for those wishing to pursue higher studies abroad.

What is now emerging as a new destination for education, both at the school and post-school levels is none other than Singapore. And actively promoting this is, surprisingly, the Singapore Tourism Board.

Promotion

"Singapore is now considered only a tourism destination.

"We are aiming to make it an education destination. The Singapore Tourism Board has been actively involved in promoting `Education in Singapore' as a brand since 2003," says Bridget Goh, Area Director, South India, Srilanka and Maldives.

Ms. Goh was recently in Coimbatore with her team to promote the brand `Education in Singapore'.

Details

School principals, interested students and parents came to find out details about the prospect of pursuing education in Singapore. An audio-visual about the overview of the present education system in Singapore was screened for the visitors.

The Board wants to reach out to Indians who wish to send their wards to foreign shores to get a flavour of international education, but at a nominal cost for various courses.

Also, it wants to encourage children to come to Singapore during their school years to do junior college or what is called pre-university, so that they fulfil the eligibility criteria to pursue higher education there.

"The age group we are looking at are those who have completed 15 years of age, i.e. those who have finished the X standard.

"We are also looking at the young children of young executives or professionals who wish to relocate to Singapore on a transfer or better job prospects," says Ms. Goh.

The representatives have selected Kochi, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli as potential Tier-2 cities for promoting the brand.

Promotional activities include road shows that are organised at regular intervals in the metros of Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and also other cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and the like.

"The road shows include education fairs that are organised in hotels.

"Some 15 to 20 institutions from Singapore take part.

"Not only Singapore schools, but also Indian schools like Delhi Public School, Bhavan's International and others based at Singapore also take part in the road shows to attract students.

"We have got good feedback so far. This is mainly because the education facilities are good and the financial aspects are also nominal," says Ms. Goh.

The Board gives prospective students a kaleidoscope of information regarding the kinds of institutions, the courses they offer, the fee structure, accommodation facilities and also travel plans.

Specialist

An education specialist stationed in the cities counsels the parents of the student and also helps them decide on the right kind of institution that will suit them depending on their requirement and the number of years the student will continue his or her education in Singapore.

School trips

In addition to promoting education, the team is also involved in promoting school trips to Singapore. The team provides all the required literature somebody wants if one wants to undertake a trip to Singapore.

The places that will be of interest to students, the number of days it will involve and the approximate expenditure that will be required are all listed in the colourful brochures and handouts given by them.

Prospects

Parents interested in finding out about education prospects in Singapore for their wards, can contact K. Sasidharan Nambiar, IMTP Consultancy Services (Chennai) Private Limited, 39, Anusham Towers, 100 Feet Road, Gandhipuram, for further details.

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