I AM appalled by letters written by parents to complain that their children have been rejected by universities here.

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Mr. Ng has missed out a key issue in the debate. Specifically, the number of foreign students in the local Universities that's lent credence to the complaints of deserving local students not being enrolled.

The writer's arguement is that of "no fish, shrimp will also do". In fact, he goes as far to say that you shouldn't bemoan that you don't have a place in university - if you're good enough, you will. I think he has missed the point on two things.

One - people pursue their dreams and will not settle for second best, especially the good ones.

Two - it is precisely the good ones, that are leaving for foreign universities, because in our eyes, even though they're not good enough for local universities, they are much better than the average in other countries and hence offered a place.

Going the middle of the road, and settling for other careers (other than the one you pick for yourself) compromises yourself, your own aspirations and makes you ordinary.

Ng Li Wei said "I AM appalled by letters written by parents to complain that their children have been rejected by universities here.
These parents feel that a university education is an entitlement the Government should provide for their children."

I am appalled by the attempt to cloud the issue - we are advertising in the papers for more international students while rejecting qualified local students.
If there are not enough places for locals why are we still accepting foreigners? Meritocracy? I believe the 7 fake transcripts by foreign students applying to NUS is but only a tip of the iceberg.

why do Sporeans have to fight unfair entry policies of the local Universities? Yes we compete with the whole world on meritocracy. Following the writer's logic then it is too bad if our kids can't get places in the local Primary and Secondary schools because they are open to the world - it is not an entitlement. Then what's the point of being a Singaporean citizen here?

We are short of talents? No lah!

The real reason is that our `Carmen Men' and local unibercities very `money'
face and stupig okay. Top students choose to go overseas just because places in unibercities are reserved for `Ah Ter' and `Ah Gao' from other cunties.

Unibercitie$ ! Unibersitie$, Unibercitie$...................!

Singapore likes to please foreigners at the expense of their locals. FTs first,S'poreans last.

Why are we so narrow-minded to keep heaping the problems that we or the younger generation face on the foreign talents?

The inclusion of foreigners either in the educational institutions or workplaces promotes competition. The 'weaker' ones will naturally feel threatened by their presence because of their abilities. The 'stronger' ones will feel motivation to further improve themselves in order to be at the top.

I can't imagine my alumni if they are to accept only Americans first while remaining places will be left for the foreigners. If such things were to happen, IVY league institutions will not be where they stand today, institutions that attract the best in the world.

Historally China once closed its door all foreign connections, believing that it could survive on its own. At that time China was powerful in all areas. Unfortunately because of their inward looking, the West eventually took over and we all knew how China was totally humiliated in the 19th century.

Unfortunately, barely meeting the "minimum grades" that the universities will consider does not mean that these weaker students will be able to survive the three or four years of university education. These weaker students eventually fail and drop out. The universities cannot lower their teaching standards just to help the weaker students pass.

With the intake of better quality foreign students, most of these students chose to stay in Singapore after they graduate. This boosts the talent pool in Singapore, which is exactly what Singapore needs in order to survive in this world.

Not sure why stupid writer can get their message publish on the paper. His argument is all wrong. He thinks getting into the local UNI is fully truely by merits. Wake up, if he is a citizen, he must have wasted many years of his life sleeping.

UNI in sg is favours towards to foreign students. It is obvious and also scholarship. Our good gov rather let foregners get that degree placing to generate financial income much more attractive then letting cheap citizen go local U. Somemore had to subsidised them. Subsidy is one point

The overall idea is control the U placing for citizen. Cannot let citizens all get degree. THINK, if all got degree, who do the technician jobs ????

Got it ? Now sg citizenship is really cheap, not even the crumbs near the foreigners table in our own country. How come we so cheap ? cheap labour to NS/reservist, then own housing at high cost.

#anghwahong,

uni education different from primary education.

I guess everyone is able to make it to pri schs, so it is an 'entitlement'

Even in countries like UK & US, not evryone can make it to unis. It's more of a privilege.

#9 stupidthiswriter,

about 20% of students in local unis are foreign students. quite reasonbale, unlike the table tennis team! and their results have to be much much much better than the locals in order to qualify. btw, u seem like a sourgrape who was rejected by local unis.