The Government has decided to freeze tuition fees for university and polytechnic students at the 2001 level, said Education Minister TEO Chee Hean yesterday. This academic year, 1,729 out of 32,000 NUS students have asked for bursaries or loans, up from 1,598 in 2000. At NTU, 667 students are seeking aid this academic year, down from 701 students in 2000. (Straits Times 5 Jan 2003) (4)

  A Straits Times survey asked 319 public listed companies if they preferred university graduates who came through junior colleges or through polytechnics. About half of the employers who responded said they had no preference. But, of the other half, a significant 5 per cent said they preferred graduates who spent three years in polytechnic before going on to university. Only 10 per cent said they would prefer to hire those who went through the two-year junior college route. Every year, out of the 35,000 students who complete their O-levels, 13,000 go to the junior college while another 17,000 enrol in the four polytechnics. Although polytechnic attendance has risen from 41,000 in 1995 to 50,000 students now, there is still some stigma attached to going to a polytechnic, as it is seen as an option for students who fail to qualify for junior college. (Straits Times 8 Apr 2002) (3)

  A man chatted with a polytechnic student on the Internet and later met her and persuaded her to apply for a mobile phone line in her name. He also demanded money from her and threatened to harm her and her family if she did not pay up. Yesterday, Kelvin SNG Beng Hwee, 21, was sentenced to six years' jail and nine strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to three extortion charges. (Straits Times 6 Apr 2002) (H3)

  A 20-year-old Singapore Polytechnic student was burnt to death in a shiny red BMW she was driving after it crashed into a tree along Sungei Kadut Drive towards Kranji Way and burst into flames early yesterday morning. CHUA Xing Ling, a third-year diploma student of maritime transportation management, received the BMW 318 as a gift from her father after she got her driving licence less than a year ago, according to a neighbour. (Straits Times 3 Apr 2002) (5)

  More Normal (Academic) stream students are qualifying for polytechnic studies. In 1991, only 10 per cent of those students who did their O-levels enrolled for three-year diploma courses at polytechnics. In 2000, almost 40 per cent of 7,300 students did so. But the percentage of Normal (Academic) stream students entering junior colleges has remained at 1.5 per cent. (Straits Times 28 Jan 2002) (H10) 

  A Singapore Polytechnic student was killed when she was flung off her boyfriend's motorcycle along the East Coast Parkway (ECP) on Saturday morning. Hazel CHAN Hui Fang, 19, a second-year business administration student, died on the spot. Her boyfriend, who escaped with minor injuries, was arrested for causing death by a negligent act and was released on S$10,000 bail. (Straits Times 28 Jan 2002)(H3)

  A record 1,408 Institute of Technical Education (ITE) alumni enrolled in the four polytechnics this year. Of these, 754 are full-time students and 654 are studying part-time. The total is some 20 per cent more than last year's 1,182, the ITE said recently. (Straits Times 19 Dec 2001)(H9)

  Starting in 2003, bonus points from Institute of Technical Education students' CCAs will count for entry to polytechnics here, just as they have, since 1998, for school leavers with O levels. These bonus points will also count for admission to undergraduate programmes at the universities here from 2003. (Straist Times 28 Nov 2001)(H2)

  The findings of a survey conducted between February and April 2001 by students of the Singapore Polytechnic's school of business show that 84 per cent of respondents said they read The Straits Times regularly. The New paper came in second with 58 per cent. The Sunday Times clinched third place with 48 per cent. The survey of 800 people aged 15 to 30 who were interviewed in the streets aimed to find out where young people get their news and what they think of the news sources. Two in five surveyed were students. Almost half said they preferred the print media, with 37 per cent choosing television, 8 per cent citing radio and 7 per cent preferring the Internet. (Straits Times 2 Aug 2001) (H4) 

  NTUC Income Scholarships now inviting applications. Closing date: 16 Jun 2001

  Nearly 1,200 of the students who entered polytechnics last year did so via the Institute of Education (ITE). A total of 659 ITE graduates last year enrolled in the four polytechnics here as full-time students, and another 523 as part-time students. In comparison, only 36 enrolled full-time for polytechnic diploma courses in 1990. In the mid-1990s, half the ITE students were primary school leavers. Now, of the 16,000 ITE students, 93% have N levels or O levels. ITE's yearly intake of 10,600 students is almost double its mid-1990s intake. (Straits Times 18 May 2001)

  From 1 Jun 2001, CPF members need not have a minimum sum (now S$65,000) before they will be allowed to use their CPF savings for tuition fees at tertiary institutions. They will be allowed to use up to 40% of their accumulated savings in the Ordinary Account, excluding amounts withdrawn for housing. The scheme, introduced in 1989, allows CPF money to be used to pay tuition fees for full-time courses at the three universities, four polytechnics, LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. The money is taken as a loan and, one year after graduating, the recipient must start repayments to his parent's CPF account. About 8,000 tertiary students take advantage of the scheme each year. (Straits Times 15 May 2001)