Decision to combine Yale-NUS and University Scholars Programme was 'a very considered one': NUS

SINGAPORE: The determination to combine Yale-NUS College and the University Scholars Programme (USP) to kind a brand new faculty was "a very considered one", the National University of Singapore (NUS) mentioned on Friday (Sep 3).

The formation of the brand new faculty took under consideration the college's "broader vision" and plans to "expand access to a liberal arts education", an NUS spokesperson mentioned in response to CNA's queries concerning the merger.

NUS introduced on Aug 27 that the school and USP can be mixed right into a single new faculty from 2023. This signifies that Yale-NUS College will “cease” in 2025, mentioned Yale University on its information website after the announcement. 

In late June, NUS consulted with the chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and the Ministry of Education (MOE) on the merger, and each events had been supportive of the proposal, mentioned the NUS spokesperson.

NUS then formally initiated discussions with Yale University in early July concerning the merger.

"Yale University acknowledged NUS’ plans, and noted that it was NUS’ prerogative under the agreement," the NUS spokesperson mentioned.

"Subsequently, the Yale-NUS Executive Committee discussed the transition plans until early August 2021."

The NUS Board was briefed in early August, and the transition plans had been endorsed by the Yale-NUS governing board later that very same month.

"Since the announcement last Friday, we have been working closely with Yale-NUS and the USP to engage with their staff, faculty, students and alumni to address their concerns and questions. This continues to be our main priority," mentioned the spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that the brand new faculty planning committee, which is able to embody college and scholar representatives from each Yale-NUS College and the USP, is growing plans for the brand new faculty, and that extra particulars might be accessible within the "coming months".