Home >> Asia >> Singapore >> Tour Singapore

Singapore: Education, Weather & Stay in Singapore
Introduction

Singapore, a city-state, consists of 63 islands, including the main island. It is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and economically one of the most advanced in Asia courtesy its highly developed market-based economy. In fact, the country has been rated as the best business-friendly economy in the world. The quality-of-life index assembled by the Economist Intelligence Unit states that Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, and 11th in the world. On the basis of its per capita GDP, Singapore is the 22nd wealthiest nation in the world. Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary form of government. The Cabinet of Singapore is responsible for the majority of decisions and is headed by the Prime Minister. The President of the country, who is popularly elected, has veto powers in key issues.
Government controlled companies are dominant in the local economy. The government of the country is considered to be clear and corruption-free, a strong reason why Singapore features so high in the Human Development Index (25th).

Climatic Conditions in Singapore

The country experiences a tropical rainforest climate. There are no separate seasons and temperatures are uniform throughout the year. The country experiences high humidity and abundant rainfall. Temperatures are in the range of 22 degree centigrade to 34 degree centigrade. Rapid urbanization has affected the primary rainforests in the country to a great extent.

Education Scenario in Singapore

The Ministry of Education (MOE) manages education and related policies in the country. Spending on education takes up a substantial portion of the budget – usually it amounts to 20 per cent of the annual national budget. Higher education in the country is imparted through various universities and polytechnics. At present there are four universities in the country – the National University of Singapore, the Nan yang Technological University, the Singapore Management University, and the SIM University. The two public universities in the country - the National University of Singapore and the Nan yang Technological University each has more than 20000 students pursuing courses under different streams. These universities have a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and they even offer doctoral degrees. The Singapore Management University is a private university and receives funds from the government. The focus of the institute is on management and business streams. The SIM University is working towards providing working professionals with opportunity to add on to their existing qualifications. The university is also working to assist adult learners in getting a university degree.


Staying options in Singapore

There is a wide range of accommodation options available in Singapore. These accommodation options are suited for different budgets and needs. However, students are advised to make arrangements for their accommodation prior to their arrival in the country. Students can go for temporary accommodation and then once they are settled, they can search for permanent accommodation. Most educational institutions in the country have an International Student office. These offices specialize in the needs of international students and offer advice on accommodation procedures, contacts for private rental offers, room-mate matching services, tips on renting student homes, as well as help in selecting an accommodation that best suit students' needs.
There are halls of residence and hostels also. In this type of accommodation, first year students are given priority. Rooms are available on single or sharing basis. Amenities such as television rooms, reading rooms, laundry rooms, computer rooms, kitchenettes and so on are also available in halls of residences. Private hostels and home stays are also available for accommodation. Charges for home stay range from S$500 to S$1000 per month.
Students can also directly rent private apartment/houses directly from the owners of such properties.


For more information on Singapore click on the following links given below: