Reference News, July 9 report - According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post website, July 8 report, as the United States' appeal for Chinese students is declining, Singapore is attracting Chinese students with its status and culture.

The report said that Singapore has six public universities and a few private universities, which have long been a popular destination for Chinese students seeking overseas education. According to local media reports, in 2023, Singapore had more than 73,000 international students, a large portion of whom came from China.

Although the United States has traditionally been the main country attracting Chinese students, industry insiders say that with increasing uncertainty and instability in the United States, the number of Chinese students applying to Singapore schools may rise in the short term.

According to a report released by the Center for Globalization Research, Singapore ranks second in overall environmental attractiveness among 28 popular destinations for studying abroad for Chinese people.

Britain ranked first, while the United States ranked fourth, following Canada, with its decline attributed to concerns about safety.

Zheng Jinlian, vice director of the Center for Globalization Research, said: "These concerns, such as conflict levels, public order issues, and its overall stance towards China, will prompt many students to consider other options."

The number of Chinese students studying in the United States has already been declining. Last year, India surpassed China to become the largest source of international students in the United States.

Zheng Jinlian said that if Chinese students ultimately fail to go to American schools, many applicants may consider Singapore as an alternative option, as Singapore ranks higher in terms of safety and stability, and unlike the United States, Singapore does not impose restrictions on so-called sensitive majors.

A high-ranking study abroad consultant at a agency in Wuhan confirmed that due to recent developments in the United States, her company has received more inquiries about studying in Singapore in the past month.

She said that apart from safety considerations, Singapore's cultural familiarity and university prestige are also important factors in attracting Chinese students, especially given that academic reputation is still highly valued by many Chinese employers.

In the latest QS World University Rankings, the National University of Singapore maintained its position as the top university in Asia, ranking eighth globally, while Nanyang Technological University ranked 12th.

Singaporean universities do not want to miss the opportunity of increased interest from Chinese students. Now, some universities have added Chinese versions of course descriptions on their official websites and provided WeChat contact information to offer real-time assistance during the application process.

Some universities have even started offering courses taught entirely in Chinese. The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University both offer master's degree programs in business administration taught in Chinese.

A spokesperson from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said that the university launched its first graduate program in management taught in Chinese last year, which "generated considerable interest." (Translated by Zhu Li)

Singapore city center. (Xinhua News Agency, photo)

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