Robyn Anderson

Faith and religious considerations in the effective operation of a higher education campus in Singapore

A gap exists in the research literature regarding the inclusion of religious beliefs of staff in the workplace considerations at an Australian offshore higher education campus in Singapore. Singapore is distinguished by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices due to its distinct mix of peoples of various ethnicities originally from various countries. The major religions of the world are represented in Singapore and include Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism. As an educational hub, Singapore is also a host to numerous offshore higher education campuses, mainly from Western countries. In such a context, the spiritual beliefs of staff may need to be considered in setting up higher education Western offshore campuses. This paper contributes to the research literature by presenting the findings of a case study conducted at a large Australian higher education campus in Singapore. The findings show that incorporating the diverse beliefs of staff in an offshore higher education institution in Singapore is crucial to the effective operation of the campus. Based on these findings, suggestions for future policy and practice are offered for higher education campuses not only in Singapore but also throughout Asia.

Australian Connection in Asia: Australians Working in Singapore

There is a significant gap in the research literature on Australians working in Singapore. The aim of this paper is to make a contribution to the research evidence base by presenting the results of a survey of the Australian expatriate community working in Singapore. A mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data revealed that the average Australian working in Singapore was well educated and generally worked as a professional or in senior management position. Most saw that working in Singapore was a significant career opportunity, but also saw that one of the main benefits of working in Singapore was the low tax rate in Singapore compared to Australia. Many saw that building personal and professional relationships while they were in Asia was important to investment for Australia’s connection with Asia in the future. The study provides recommendations for future policy and practice.

International Higher Education: Reasons Students Choose Singapore

A gap exists in the research literature on why international students choose to study at offshore, higher education, Australian campuses in Singapore. The paper presents findings from a focus group interview, which shows that higher education institutions in Singapore have become a viable alternative to the traditional study destinations of the United States, the United Kingdom or Australia for many students in Asia. Factors influencing students’ choice of study destination and choice of higher education institution are discussed, and based on these observations and Australia’s connection to Asia, suggestions are offered to strengthen this growing area.