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FAQs

Recognition

Are the programmes conducted by SMa Institute registered with the Council for Private Education (CPE)?

SMa Institute of Higher Learning is registered with CPE. As such, all programmes conducted by SMa Institute are registered with CPE, Singapore.

Are the degrees recognised by the Singapore government?

The Public Service Commission (PSC) in Singapore will accept any degree awarded by the universities as a criteria for employment in the Civil Service so long as they are accepted by their home government. A criterion to determine this recognition is to verify whether the university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) for both UK and Australian programmes. All Degree programmes offered at SMa Institute of Higher Learning are members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

Who issues all our Degree certificates?

All degree certificates are awarded by our foreign university. The degree awarded is exactly the same as conferred on-campus.

Is the degree obtained at SMa Institute of Higher Learning of equivalent standards to one obtained by students studying on-campus?

The degree awarded in Singapore is exactly the same as that awarded on campus. There is no difference. Students are assessed on the same standards as internal students. Therefore, the degree awarded is exactly the same as the on-campus degree.

About SMa and SMa Institute of Higher Learning

Who owns and manages the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMa)?

The Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMa) was established in 1932 as a national body who oversees the support and development of the manufacturing industries in Singapore. Today, SMa is governed and managed by an elected governing council comprising of 35 elected council members who are Senior Executives, CEO or Managing Directors of our 2,800 corporate members. SMa is professionally managed by a strong team of managers and directors from the industries.

What is the meaning that SMa is a “not-for-profit” Organisation?

Unlike profit organisations where profits are payout to shareholders as dividends, as a not-for-profit organisation, our operational surpluses or profits are channelled and ploughed back towards community service and towards our members in terms of better quality education and study infrastructure.

What is the difference between SMa Institute of Higher Learning and Others?

Unlike most other Private Education Organisations, SMa Institute is a not-for-profit organisation. Since 1966, SMa has been providing training and certification courses. As a leading business association with over 2,800 corporate members across different industry groups, SMa offers unlimited networking & career advancement opportunities for our students.

Course Delivery

What are the differences between a fully taught, distance learning and correspondence course?

Fully taught students must attend weekly lectures and tutorials. Contacts with the lecturers are on a more frequent basis. Distance learning students are in contact with their tutors through intensive bloc sessions over a limited period of time. In a distance learning mode, students are required to read their course materials at their own time. During the session with the tutors, students will seek clarifications on issues that need further understanding. Correspondence - there is no contact with the tutors. Students are very much on their own. They probably correspond with tutors over emails or faxes. All SMa Institute programmes are fully taught by experienced lecturers and faculty professors; SMa Institute does not offer correspondence or distance learning courses.

Is there an attendance requirement?

Yes, and it applies to all students. All international students holding a Student's Pass must not be absent for a continuous period of seven (7) days or more, or that the percentage of attendance for the course in any month must not fall below 90% without any valid reason. A student will be required to surrender the Student's Pass for cancellation if he/she does not satisfy the attendance requirement. In compliance with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) regulation, a Student's Pass holder must spend at least 3 hours on each weekday at the Institute's premises engaging in academic studies or meaningful activities such as classes, tutorials, project work, enrichment or co-curricular activities.

All other students who do not require the ICA Student's Pass are required to attain a 75% attendance for each unit of study. All non-attendance must be supported by a medical certificate or an approved leave of absence from the Institute. A student who is unable to meet the required attendance may be barred from exam for that specific unit of study and will not be eligible for selection for fieldwork practicum (if any). In addition, a student who is subsidised by the Workforce Development Agency's Skills Development Fund (SDF) may not be entitled for the subsidy if he/she failed to meet the required attendance.

Course Fee

Are there any hidden costs?

The course fees include all materials (e.g. lecture notes), assessment and examination fees. There are no hidden costs.

Where can students go when they are in financial difficulties?

SMa Institute collaborates with SMa's corporate members to provide financial support to our students. Students can also secure bank loans at preferential rates from our corporate partners. SMa Institute also provides interest free monthly instalment schemes for students facing financial difficulties on a case-by-case basis. Our basic premise is to ensure all students are given equal opportunities to embark on their higher education.

Academic & Service Support

What are the credentials of SMa Institute Lecturers? How qualified are they?

Lecturers are carefully selected from a pool of experienced and highly qualified professionals. Respective universities must also approve all lecturers before they are allowed to teach in the programmes. Usually, they are academics from local tertiary institutions or practitioners with extensive experience from the industry. They must hold recognised master degrees and above in order to undertake bachelor programmes; and at least hold bachelor degrees to teach in our certificate and diploma programmes.

Membership Fees

Should students pay for membership fees?

Unlike other not-for-profit organisations, SMa Institute students do not need to pay any membership fees.

Last update 25 Mar 2011