Alumni welcome lifelong learning
The Lifelong Learning Initiative for NUS Alumni introduced in August 2017 has seen overwhelming response, with more than 8,000 applications received for the 404 places available across 79 modules in Semester 1 Academic Year 2017/18.
A majority of the applicants were young working adults or recent graduates, with 86 per cent of them aged 39 and under. The most popular courses among alumni were business, computing and engineering-related courses.
Ms Genevieve Yeep (Business, ’92), an IT and digital marketing professional, has been attending the business module FIN4113: Personal Finance and Private Wealth Management over the past 12 weeks and feels that she has gained confidence in understanding how to structure her portfolio and plan for retirement. “I’m a big proponent of lifelong learning because the industry that I’m in moves very quickly and because of my line of work, I have to keep myself updated. Learning is imperative, there’s no option not to,” she said, adding that it was “very nostalgic and kind of surreal” to return to her alma mater and roam the halls she once used to.
Fellow alumni classmate Mr Lim Swee Hock (Chemical Engineering ’87) retired 14 years ago from the banking and finance sector and now dabbles in his own investment pursuits. “I think it’s been very useful and I’ve learnt a lot of from being in this class that I can use in my investment journey,” he said.
Mr Lim also has two children currently enrolled in NUS — a daughter in Year 3 at NUS Chemical Engineering and a son in Year 4 at NUS Communications and New Media. “To be in school at the same time as my two children allows me to understand them better when they tell me about their school life…when they talk to me now, I appreciate what they’re telling me more,” he said.
Ms Yeep (far right) with her classmates
Year 4 NUS Business student Cyril Ting appreciated the presence of alumni in the class. “With them in the picture, they offer industry perspective and I think it brings discussion in class to the next level which is good,” he said.
The Lifelong Learning Initiative for NUS Alumni offers former students the opportunity to attend up to two modules at no cost under the one-year pilot. From 1 August 2018, course fees will continue to be waived, with only a Student Services Fee of $261.85 payable per semester.
Applications for Semester 2 of Academic Year Y2017/18 is open until 15 November. In response to positive demand, the number of places available has been increased to over 970 for the 85 modules on offer. The University is looking to further increase the number of places and modules in future.
Click here to apply.
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