NDR 2025: New Islamic college campus will be in Rochor, students can take courses at SUSS next door

Straits Times

10 hours ago

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SUSS is now operating from several different locations, but it will move to a new permanent campus at the site of the former Rochor Centre by the mid-2030s.
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SINGAPORE - Students pursuing their studies at the future Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) will have their own campus in Rochor, next to the upcoming Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).
Each of them will have their own buildings that will reflect their unique identities and purposes but students from both schools will also share facilities, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Malay Rally speech.
Speaking at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio on Aug 17, he added that SCIS students will also be able to sign up for SUSS social science courses.
'This way, students from both institutions can better interact with one another, enriching their campus lives,' he said.
The Islamic college was first mooted in 2016 by then Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim, with the aim of producing religious leaders grounded in Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious context.
In November 2024, PM Wong said SCIS will offer a full-time undergraduate degree programme, allowing students to major in either Islamic studies or social sciences.
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In his Rally speech, he said: 'Last year, I shared that we will be setting up the Singapore College of Islamic Studies. Since then, Muis has been working with local and overseas partners to develop a good curriculum.'
Muis is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
Muis, in a statement on Aug 17, said the new SCIS campus will feature unique Islamic architectural elements and dedicated facilities to meet its students' needs.
It added that the proximity with SUSS will create opportunities for meaningful interactions between students from diverse backgrounds.
'These exchanges will help develop religious teachers and scholars who can lead the Muslim community in Singapore's multi-religious and multi-cultural context,' it said.
Faculty members from both institutions will also have the chance to collaborate on research and projects that address contemporary societal issues, it added.
SCIS is working with international institutions such as Dar al-Ifta in Egypt and the University of Jordan to develop a four-year full-time undergraduate degree programme.
It will also offer a postgraduate certificate for returning graduates of overseas Islamic universities seeking to pursue a career as Islamic religious teachers, and a research programme catering to local religious leaders and teachers with an interest in studying Muslim communities.
SCIS will welcome an initial intake of up to 60 students in 2028, operating at a temporary location at the Muis campus in Bencoolen Street until the Rochor campus is completed.
SUSS is now operating from several different locations, but it will move to a new permanent campus at the site of the former Rochor Centre by the mid-2030s.
In his speech, PM Wong said a host of new initiatives have been rolled out to preserve and nurture Singapore's Malay heritage, including the reopening of the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC).
The centre, which closed in 2022 for restoration and redevelopment works, will reopen on April 25, 2026, and feature new galleries and programmes to showcase the richness and vibrancy of Singapore's Malay culture, he added.
The wider Kampong Glam area will also be refreshed, he said.
PM Wong said a host of new initiatives have been rolled out to preserve and nurture Singapore's Malay heritage, including the reopening of the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC).
PHOTO: MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE
MHC, in a statement on Aug 17, said this will include greater representation of Malay ethnic sub-groups as well as more narratives on women, to honour their contributions to areas such as education, literature, and the arts.
A festival will be held between April 25 and May 3, 2026 to celebrate the centre's reopening.
PM Wong said he has been actively engaging the Malay/Muslim community, for instance, meeting entrepreneurs, women across various walks of life and madrasah students.
He said: 'Across these engagements, I heard many concerns and views. Some are specific to the Malay/Muslim community. But many are shared by all Singaporeans, such as cost of living and the pressures of caregiving.
'My team and I will keep working with the community – to tackle your concerns, and build a brighter future for everyone.'
He added that Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim – who is Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs – has been actively engaging families as well as mosque and community leaders.
Prof Faishal is being supported by a new generation of Malay/Muslim MPs, and they have been working closely to support the community's needs and aspirations, PM Wong said.
In the early years of independence, Singapore faced difficulties like racial tensions but it was able to overcome these challenges to build a strong and united society, with the Malay/Muslim community playing an key role in this journey.
PM Wong said: 'There was deep worry in the community when Singapore separated from Malaysia. Many of you had families in Malaysia.
'But you chose to be Singaporeans because you believed in a fair and just, multi-racial society. Working together, hand-in-hand, we built the Singapore that we have today.'
He thanked the community for its many contributions and strong support.
He said: 'This is our spirit! No matter our race – Malay, Chinese, Indian or Eurasian – we are all equal. We are all Singaporeans.
'Even as we look back, we must also look forward to the future. My team and I are committed to working with you – to listen, to learn, and to build our shared future together.'
Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here: