Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University (Abbreviated NTU; ??????; abbreviated: ??; Malay: Universiti Teknologi Nanyang) has a 2 km² campus in Jurong, in the south-western part of Singapore, some 25 km from the city centre. This is the Yunnan Garden Campus. The original part of the campus was built in 1986, and the campus buildings are laid out on a master plan drawn up by world famous architect Kenzo Tange.

History

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was established by an Act of Parliament on 1 July 1991. It has its origins in Nanyang University, which was founded by Tan Lark Sye in 1955. In August 1980, Nanyang University was merged with the University of Singapore to become the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Related Topics:
1 July - 1991 - Nanyang University - Tan Lark Sye - 1980 - National University of Singapore

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In August 1981, the Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI) was set up on the same campus with the primary function of providing facilities for tertiary education and research in various branches of engineering and technology and to educate practice-oriented engineers for the burgeoning economy. At that time, NTI was to be part of the NUS in all academic matters, while in all other respects it would be independent.

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NTI admitted its first batch of 582 engineering students in July 1982. As the Institute developed, courses other than engineering were offered over the years -- Accounting (1987), Business, Computer Engineering (1989), Materials Engineering, Arts with Diploma in Education, Science with Diploma in Education (1991) and Communication Studies (1993).

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On 1 July 1991, NTI was reconstituted, incorporating the National Institute of Education (NIE). It was renamed Nanyang Technological University and empowered to award its own degrees. It is a comprehensive University designed to meet the manpower needs of the nation and the region. Degrees awarded by NTU are recognised by the relevant professional institutions both locally and internationally.

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NTU aims at becoming a university with general academic excellence and niches of international eminence. Its mission is to train leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs for Singapore and the region and to advance research and development in both the academic and professional disciplines. The university is a member of LAOTSE, an international network of leading universities in Europe and Asia exchanging students and senior scholars.

Related Topics:
LAOTSE - Europe - Asia

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NTU was recently ranked by the Times Higher Education Supplement at the 50th place globally and 7th in Asia, in its ranking of the 200 best universities in the world.

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It is long debated on whether the university's name should be reverted back to "Nanyang University", particularly with the support of NU's alumni. The administration of NTU has long resisted this move, however, and the idea receives a lukewarm response from the almuni and current students of the new institution. Most opposition stems from concerns over confusion in the market, and the effect it may have on the goodwill NTU has cultivated over the years in the industry. Some alumni members of NU also object to the move, citing the distinction between the two institutions and the need to preserve the heritage of the old university. http://www.nandazhan.com/fuming/zhenzdn2.htm.

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The NTU administration finally relented and announced the decision to rename Nanyang Technological University as Nanyang University in 2005, justifing the move based on the university's introduction of non-technology related schools and its expansion into a full multi-disciplinary university. Furthermore, NTU has already adopted the heritage of the former Nanyang University as its own, with the transfer of Nanyang University's alumni rolls to NTU in 1996 and the celebration of the university's 50th anniversary in August 2005. A year before this came into effect, however, the administration momentarily backtracked and postponed the move http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/95279/1/.html.

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