Comments on: UNSW Asia: the conjuncture of events

By: Online LMS

Online LMS — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:52:58 +0000

Pat on the back…

Thanks indeed, you have made my day….

By: Sudhi Sant

Sudhi Sant — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:49:11 +0000

Ah, ha. I wonder how the “proposed” IIT in Singapore will pan out. There was an announcement by Kapil Sibal the Indian Minister of HRD about setting up an IIT in Singapore. Hopefully, they have learnt some lessons about “foreign universities” setting up campuses in Singapore.

Cheers

Sudhi

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:50:33 +0000

Edward,
your last point is an interesting one. I think that has to do with Warwick unwillingness to set up a branch campus. I’m sure that studies like engineering, business, etc. will always take priority over humanities, physics, etc. in these types of universities.

You also bring up some interesting observations on the UNSW Asia issue. I think we do agree on the fact that the whole venture was (too?) risky from the start, even before Hilmer got involved.

By: Edward

Edward — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:24:52 +0000

Eric

You have a v thoughtful set of observations here, and from where I sit I think you’re right to look closely at Hilmer and his appetite for risk. UNSW, for better or worse, had committed itself. So had Singapore. The problem Hilmer faced was that the Singaporeans had not set up an environment (and the key is research funding frameworks) in which a global university brand could operate at a high-end, research intensive way. It was Hilmer who pulled the plug, but only after he pushed for a deal (i.e. a small liberal arts college) the risks of which were bearable. But it seems as though the negotiating relationship (i.e. trust) with the EDB had broken down by the time he put a scaled-back college option on the table. Hilmer knew that the EDB had allowed his predecessors to sign up to a sop on two previous occasions. The Singaporeans took issue with a third round of re-negotiations. We have, of course, to look at Hilmer’s actions/instincts in the context of the dynamic of the negotiating relationship with the EDB – which relates to the broader issue of whether universities can operate effectively outside of their national ‘comfort’ zones — bearing the risks, accepting the conditions, and building the relationships of trust within another culture. The other factor to keep in mind is whether the Singaporeans actually understand what it will take to sustain a fully comprehensive foreign research university within their city-state. You don’t get there with high-volume student numbers and industry-funded R&D.

Best, Edward

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:26:38 +0000

Yeah. I agreed that you let Hilmer off the hook far too easily. However for a business venture of such a scale, it should have been thought over carefully in details over the years. It shouldn’t end like this; perhaps UNSW is too eager to end it. From what I know, Singapore Management University and European’s Insead Institute also took couple of years to build up their credential in Singapore. Should UNSW Asia stay on a few more years without constructing their new campus; they might become a popular uni in the south-east Asia region. It’s just too bad that UNSW didn’t want to even leave any room for testing. I guess until someone discloses the true reason, no one will ever know the truth for the sudden closure. The true victims are the staffs who gave up their job in Australia to teach in UNSW Asia and the students.

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:58:23 +0000

@ anonymous: Hilmer of course can’t be blamed for starting the whole fiasco, and I don’t think anyone could have made a success out of this. It was bound to fail. @Paul: Yes, that’s the way those things go, although I am not so sure whether he left or was “ordered” to leave

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:28:47 +0000

Notice that none of the higher level people implicated are out of work!

Modus operandi -

1.Start something that sounds sucessful, promise great things.

2. Leave before it fails, for a better job elsewhere.

3. After moving up the ladder,go back to 1. and repeat as many times as necessary.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:15:14 +0000

It was Hilmer’s decision and you let him off the hook far to easily. He stands to lose UNSW $80+ million dollars by pulling out and will leave without an asset. For a similar sum over five years he could have remained, had a fantastic asset and started to recoup after this period.
In addition no one has factored in the the complete loss of goodwill and UNSW reputation in Asia which will take many decades to re-establish.
UNSW will now spend additional millions on trying to lure back Asia astudents,PR campaigns and amrketing costs.