USF doing business in Singapore

Starting fall 2006, USF will offer a bachelor’s degree in business administration in Singapore.Since 1987, students attending the Center for American Education in Singapore have been offered an associates of arts degree through Broward Community College. Now the College of Business is stepping in to offer a four-year accredited bachelor’s degree at the CAE.

Many CAE students, who come from countries as far as Malaysia, China and Vietnam, would like an American education but cannot get a visa or afford to come to the United States, said Maria Crummet, interim dean of International Affairs.

BCC is one of two international affiliates that offer students an American education overseas. The other is in India, said BCC Associate Vice President for International Education David Moore in a Sun Sentinel article.

CAE has been looking to expand its program and offer students a bachelor’s in business. In December, its desires were fulfilled, as USF signed a memorandum agreement and negotiations began for USF’s bachelor’s program in Singapore.

“It has a nice, strong educational base,” Crummet said. “The main language is English and all the courses will be taught in English.” She added that the program is a great opportunity to reach many students.

There are also a lot of incentives for USF, said Michelle Jimenez-Rivera, acting director of International Business.

“We have a lot of benefits, and we will maintain control,” Jimenez-Rivera said.

The College of Business will be selecting faculty and students for the program using the same process used in the United States. The teachers selected from Singapore will be screened and approved to maintain USF’s accreditation status.

“USF faculty will have the opportunity to teach in Singapore as well,” Crummet said.

Eventually, American USF students will take business classes at CAE. The first group of students will be CAE students who received their associate’s degree through the BCC program.

Many of the details of the deal have yet to be smoothed out, said Jimenez-Rivera. Tuition costs are being negotiated, as is the hiring of faculty.

Crummet said that the students should not be expected to pay the same rates as USF Tampa campus students pay.

“They are not coming to USF Tampa campus, and they are not using the activity center or library,” she said.

According to Moore, students in Singapore are paying extra fees to get an American education. USF officials said that they hoped to allow American students the opportunity to go to Singapore in conjunction with the foreign exchange program.