SIM University To Start Full-time Programmes In 2014 And To Set Up Third Law School In Singapore

SIM University (UniSIM) has been selected to host Singapore's third law school with a focus on training prospective lawyers keen to practise criminal law and family law.

This was announced by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, during UniSIM's Convocation ceremony on October 16 morning.

This follows on from the acceptance by the Government of the recommendations of the 4th Committee on the Supply of Lawyers, with the initiative in place to address the high attrition of lawyers from active practice, and the shortage of lawyers practising community law. UniSIM is currently working with the Ministry of Law to develop its law programmes, in consultation with the legal industry.

Mr Heng also shared that UniSIM will commerce its full-time applied undergraduate programmes in 2014. This follows from the 26 August 2012 announcement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that UniSIM will be participating in the Government's plan to increase the number of publicly-funded full-time university places. The initial programme offerings will be in Accountancy, Finance and Marketing, with more to be added in the coming years. As a start, UniSIM will offer up to 200 places in its first intake.

Mr Heng said: "The new law school and the new applied degree pathway will add to the richness of our education landscape so that our students can keep up lifelong learning, to learn without end and without boundary. And once they benefit from the more diverse education landscape, I hope the beneficiaries of these new programmes will go on to inject their bright ideas and good work into whatever field they choose to make their own. In doing so, our students will keep our economy vibrant and our society resilient, so that we can continue to create a variety of opportunities for Singaporeans."

_{Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, giving his speech at the first session of the
UniSIM Convocation Ceremony on 16 October 2013.}