(Clockwise from top left) Ms Claire Tan, Mr Dones Franz Laurence Reyes, Mr Hans Chew and Ms Saskia Alifya. ST PHOTOS: KUA CHEE SIONG, RYAN CHIONG
The new University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) opens its doors in August, welcoming its first batch of undergraduates from a diverse range of academic and artistic backgrounds.
They include students from polytechnics, Institutes of Technical Education (ITE) and junior colleges; those with and without formal arts training; as well as mature students and art practitioners looking to further their education.
UAS is a private university supported by the Government, formed by an alliance between the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) and Lasalle College of the Arts.
Nafa president Tan-Soh Wai Lan said the institution received enthusiastic response for its three new degree programmes – BA (Hons) Contemporary Chinese Theatres, BA (Hons) Biophilic Design and Master of Fine Arts.
“Our programmes have received an overwhelmingly positive response, achieving full enrolment and oversubscription for some,” said Mrs Tan, adding that the response reflects the value that parents and students place in an arts education.
Likewise, Lasalle president Steve Dixon, said its five new degree programmes have attracted strong interest.
“MA Music Therapy, for example, is a new programme that has seen a tremendous response and was oversubscribed well before its closing date,” said Professor Dixon.
He added that Lasalle has seen a steady increase in applications over the past few years and application numbers were “very healthy” in 2024.
“The diversity of our incoming cohort and the high level of interest show that more Singaporeans are embracing the relevance of an arts and design education,” said Prof Dixon.
UAS will validate, confer and award the degree programmes through Nafa and Lasalle, in disciplines such as fine arts, design, media arts and performing arts.
Both institutions will continue to offer their own programmes.
Lessons will be conducted on the campuses of Nafa and Lasalle as well as the National Design Centre in Middle Road.
Read more on The Straits Times