Massey has been teaching in Singapore since 2008 and has an excellent reputation there.
The size and scale of the joint venture is a first of its kind for a university in Aotearoa New Zealand. Up until now New Zealand universities, including Massey, have had offshore teaching partnerships involving only a limited number of programmes with most only offering single programmes offshore through an institutional partnership.
Massey is already New Zealand’s leading provider in transnational education and expanding the university’s global footprint in Singapore aligns with the ambitious target of having 5,000 students based offshore by 2026.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas says the joint venture presents an exciting opportunity to take what is unique to Massey and Aotearoa New Zealand and deliver it to students in Singapore.
“Sharing our expertise and creating new and diverse revenue streams is a priority for Massey and growing our transnational offerings is a strategic growth opportunity. Singapore is an important established market, which makes it a logical base for expansion into the Southeast Asian market, and beyond.”
The selection of academic programmes to be offered will draw upon what is unique to Massey, but also be driven by market research to avoid duplicating what is already available to students in Singapore.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly, Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu, says this is a significant step towards growing Massey’s global offerings, and to offer New Zealand students the opportunity to study in Singapore for all or part of their degree.
“New Zealand and the rest of world are still feeling the ongoing effects of COVID-19, in particular the impact the pandemic has had on international travel and education.
“We are seeing a growing trend among international students who are more focused on the curriculum, expertise offered, and opportunities associated with international education, rather than an overseas experience of living and studying abroad – this differs from the students who would normally travel for their international education. More students are opting to study near their home at a time when demand for education is outstripping supply. Massey has been teaching ‘on the ground’ in Singapore since 2008, and has an excellent reputation in Singapore, so this adds to our competitive advantage.
“As the Vice-Chancellor has mentioned, the joint venture will help increase funding that will benefit New Zealand and Singapore. Our plan will be to invest funds held by Massey Global Ltd in Singapore, ensuring there is no impact on funds held in New Zealand,” Dr McGonagle-Daly says.
It is expected the first intake of students will begin studying in 2024.
Related news
Delegation from Singapore Institute of Technology welcomed to Manawatū campus
Massey has offered a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours in partnership with SIT since 2016.
Massey forges links with top Indian university
The university has signed an agreement with Amity University in India that will pave the way for collaboration between the two institutions.
Seven selected for immersion into Singapore’s food industry
Seven Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University students and graduates have been selected as part of a group of 12 who will tour Singapore’s food and beverage market for the Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence Tertiary Market Immersion Programme.
Massey University and Christ University make collaboration official
Massey University and India’s Christ University have signed a memorandum of understanding and international collaboration agreement that will pave the way for greater academic cooperation between the two institutions.
