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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
S'pore universities monitoring US visa situation, may advise students to postpone exchange programmes
The institutions are keeping a close eye on the suspension of scheduling appointments for student and foreign visitor visas. PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE - Singapore's autonomous universities are closely monitoring developments in US immigration policy, particularly the pause on new student and exchange visitor visa appointments, which could impact students taking part in exchange programmes. On May 27, a US State Department directive ordered embassies worldwide to suspend scheduling appointments for student and foreign visitor visas. Those that have already been scheduled can continue to proceed, but slots that have yet to be taken up should be pulled down, said the directive , as the State Department prepares to expand social media vetting on such applicants. Four of the six autonomous universities - the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) - have students preparing to spend a stint in the US. In response to queries, a spokesperson for NUS said the institution has been advising and extending support to students who have either applied or are already bound for an exchange programme in the US. This includes placing them in exchange programmes in other countries, as well as rescheduling or deferring their plans where possible. While NUS declined to provide the number of students who fall in this category, the spokesperson said: 'As this is an evolving situation, we are closely monitoring developments.' Over at NTU , more than 140 students are preparing to head to the US in the coming months, all of whom are at various stages of their visa application process. The university is in contact with its American partner institutions to determine the potential impact on upcoming programmes. NTU has so far issued a travel advisory for students' safety, with a spokesperson adding that students can withdraw and 'explore alternative overseas opportunities available'. SMU said it is prepared to assist students depending on their individual circumstances, including redeploying them to partner universities in other countries. Another option is for students to postpone their exchange programme to a later semester, a spokesperson said, reassuring students that it will 'extend every support' to those whose exchange programmes may be affected. SUTD said it has six students slated to travel to the US for its summer and exchange programmes with American institutions. Of the six, two have already received their visas, while the remaining four have yet to apply. 'We are in close contact with all six and will continue to check in regularly on their visa status,' said a SUTD spokesperson, who added that the university also shares International SOS advisories with all students bound for an overseas location. International SOS provides services to safeguard individuals and organisations from health and security threats worldwide. Meanwhile , students from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) seem to have been spared the uncertainty caused by the changes in US immigration policy. Although there is already a group of SIT students currently in the US, they were not affected by recent developments. The university also does not have any more student exposure programmes there planned for the rest of the year. SUSS does not have any students taking part in an exchange programme in the US currently either, with a spokesman adding that the university does not have further comments at this juncture. Are you affected by the foreign student visa freeze in the US? Get in touch with us at stnewsdesk@ Aqil Hamzah is a journalist covering breaking news at The Straits Times, with interests in crime and technology. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
MAS appoints NTU president, National Arts Council chair to board of directors
MAS also announced the reappointment of former trade and industry minister Lim Hng Kiang to the board for three more years. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE – The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on May 29 announced two new directors- designate who will join its board from June 1. Professor Ho Teck Hua, president of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Ms Goh Swee Chen, chairman of National Arts Council (NAC), have been appointed for a three-year term that will end on May 31, 2028. The central bank also announced the reappointment of retired politician and former minister of trade and industry Lim Hng Kiang, whose tenure at the board has been extended for three more years from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2028. Mr Lim is currently special adviser to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he is consulted on economic strategies to grow Singapore's capabilities and international economic space, MAS said. Addressing the new appointments and the reappointment of Mr Lim, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and MAS chairman Gan Kim Yong said: 'The perspective and experience they bring from their respective fields will strengthen the collective expertise of the MAS board to navigate an increasingly complex and challenging world.' Professor Ho is a member of the boards of DSO National Laboratories, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore, and the National Research Foundation, Singapore. Ms Goh, a former chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore, sits on the NTU board of trustees. She also serves on the boards of Singapore Airlines, SP Group, JTC, Woodside Energy and GenZero. THE BUSINESS TIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
26-05-2025
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Ecological impact: Young forest in Bukit Batok to be cleared for housing
CNA938 Rewind A young forest is slated for partial clearance to make way for a new neighbourhood in Bukit Batok. But is there a way to continue the work without having a big impact on the wildlife that live there? Daniel Martin and Justine Moss speak more with Dr Shawn Lum, Senior Lecturer, NTU Asian School of the Environment.
CNA
26-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Vietnam did it. Could Singapore one day ban Telegram?
CNA938 Rewind - Vietnam did it. Could Singapore one day ban Telegram? Vietnam's technology ministry has ordered telecommunication service providers there to block Telegram for not co-operating in combating alleged crimes committed by its users. This prompted Daniel Martin and Justine Moss to ask Associate Professor Natalie Pang from the Department of Communications and New Media, NUS, the question: Could we ever see a messaging app banned in Singapore? 16 mins CNA938 Rewind - Ultra-luxury condominium sales rise in 2025 Singapore's ultra-luxury condominium market looks set to be regaining momentum in 2025, amid ongoing global economic uncertainties. Daniel Martin and Justine Moss discuss further with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer, ERA Singapore. 14 mins CNA938 Rewind - Could building projects progress without disrupting nature? A young forest is slated for partial clearance to make way for a new neighbourhood in Bukit Batok. But is there a way to continue the work without having a big impact on the wildlife that live there? Daniel Martin and Justine Moss speak more with Dr Shawn Lum, Senior Lecturer, NTU Asian School of the Environment. 8 mins
CNA
26-05-2025
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Could building projects progress without disrupting nature?
CNA938 Rewind A young forest is slated for partial clearance to make way for a new neighbourhood in Bukit Batok. But is there a way to continue the work without having a big impact on the wildlife that live there? Daniel Martin and Justine Moss speak more with Dr Shawn Lum, Senior Lecturer, NTU Asian School of the Environment.
