Partner University of the Month: National University of Singapore

Singapore’s Flagship University – No. 11 in the QS World University Ranking – MCI partner since 2012 – 35 exchange students in the field of food engineering.

NUS is Singapore’s flagship university and a leading global university, ranked No. 11 in the QS World University Ranking.¹ The 17 faculties and schools offer higher education in almost all fields. The largest number of graduates are in Engineering, Arts & Social Sciences, Science, Medicine and Business. NUS has its own university town (UTown) where students enjoy the great community and facilities.²

Singapore, a prosperous town with a low crime rate is one of the most attractive student destinations in the world. This muIti-cultural and multi-racial city has been continuously ranked in the top 20 as one of the best student cities in the world.³

NUS is a MCI partner university since 2012. So far, 35 students from NUS and MCI have made use of this exchange agreement in the field of food technology. In 2019, we were able to expand the exchange in Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering. We are proud that MCI is very popular among NUS students.

Currently, we are hosting six students from this renowned university and this is how they describe their university:

“In NUS, UTown students, professors and academic fellows live, work, study and stay together. There are many study spots, food options, recreational facilities and sports amenities (gym, rock wall, sports halls, dance studios) available. We also have a supermarket, pharmacy, hair salon and even an infinity pool. You do not have to leave Utown at all during the semester!
NUS is so big that we have our own internal shuttle bus service to bring us from one faculty to another – and it is for free!
There are eight libraries on campus. The largest, Central Library has five levels. NUS also has a natural history museum, which houses over 2000 specimens.
Fun fact: There is a telegram group NUS Buffet Response Team where NUS students and staff can get free food by helping to clear up leftovers at buffets on campus. Buffets are very common in NUS and this initiative helps to reduce food wastage.”

MCI students who have spent a semester in Singapore and at NUS enthusiastically shared their views:

“Singapore is not a typical Asian country but with many Asian peculiarities and somehow it is very western and (more) high-tech. You can do a lot in the city in your free time and it is also a stone's throw from the neighbouring countries. All you need is a fast boat ride for a day trip to Indonesia or a bus trip to Malaysia – without any hassles and there is also a stamp in the passport. (Simone Arlt, summer semester 2017)

“What made my stay so great were the people. I got to know people from all over the world and I am still in contact with some of them. I can just recommend an exchange semester in Singapore. It will open your eyes to a whole new world!” (Lukas Luggin, winter semester 2017/18)

“The courses at the NUS were particularly characterized by the fact that they were very interactive, but also time-consuming due to additional projects, midterms, learning reflections and group work. It was sometimes interesting to get to know other test formats, such as an “open universe test”, a test format that allows the use of everything including the Internet.

The semester in Singapore and in Asia was unique. It gave me the opportunity to gain new insights into Asian culture. It wasn't always easy and stress-free, but moments like this give you the chance to surpass yourself. If you have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad, you should take the chance to broaden your horizons according to the motto "Just do it"! (Sumesgutner Delia, winter semester 2019/ 2020)

¹ https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings

² http://www.nus.edu.sg/docs/default-source/annual-report/nus-annualreport-2019.pdf

³ https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/qs-best-student-cities/singapore

⁴ http://nus.edu.sg/about