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Special 150th Anniversary Award for SIM in Singapore
Press Release: 3 April 2008
Contacts:
Binda Rai +44 (0)20 7862 8545
Peter Quinn +44 (0)20 7664 5584
A special 150th Anniversary Award was presented to Mr Noel Hon [far right] at SIM (the Singapore
Institute of Management) by Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London.
The award presented to SIM, which has been teaching University of London diploma and degree programmes for the past 22 years, is in recognition of its contribution towards the success of the University of London External System. SIM is now the recipient of one of five awards that are being presented worldwide during 2008 to celebrate the External System’s 150th Anniversary.
The presentation was made by Sir Graeme on Thursday 3 April at SIM’s graduation ceremony in Singapore. The award itself is a framed replica of extracts from the University of London’s fourth Charter, signed by Queen Victoria on 9 April 1858. It was this Charter that enabled the University to set up the External System, which opened up the University of London degree to students who could not come to study in London. The External System, which has published a special Anniversary book entitled The People’s University 1858 – 2008, now has more than 41,000 students on more than 100 study programmes spanning 180 countries worldwide.
Sir Graeme, who over two days conferred University of London degrees and diplomas on 1,434 graduates at SIM said: “Our work with SIM has proved a huge success over the past 22 years in delivering high quality education to students in Singapore. It has also helped in meeting the skill requirements of the local economy. In achieving these objectives both staff and students at SIM must be congratulated on their success.”
Sir Graeme added: “SIM’s graduates join a unique global network of students and alumni from the University of London External System, many of whom have made their mark on the world stage. These include five Nobel Prize winners, academics, lawyers, business leaders, engineers and politicians. We are immensely proud of our 150-year track record, a tradition of innovation and openness which anticipated 20th-century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years. This approach has allowed us to work with you to deliver quality higher education in Singapore and beyond.”
Mr Noel Hon, from the SIM Governing Council said: “I am delighted to receive this award from the University of London External System. We are direct beneficiaries of the innovative approach taken 150 years ago by the University of London to deliver quality education worldwide. SIM is currently the largest contributor towards the success story of the External System. This special relationship has ensured that our students continue to receive a quality education as well as making a positive contribution to the growth of the local economy. It has further helped establish Singapore as a hub for higher education in the region.”
Notes for Editors
Picture caption (left to right): Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London,
with Mr Noel Hon from the SIM Governing Council.
- The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the United Kingdom.
- The University’s founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.
- In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth Charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System.
- The University of London External System is a unique global network of 41,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmers ranging from social sciences to law to health.
- The External System has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education – all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining charters to award their own.
- Between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of ‘special relations’.
- Through the External System higher education was made available to a much wider range of social classes; it pre-empted 20th Century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.
- Famous former students and alumni of the External System include five Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Ronald Coase, Wole Soyinka, Derek Walcott and Nelson Mandela.
The top 20 countries the External System operates in:
| 1. Singapore | 6. Pakistan | 11. Mauritius | 16. Russia |
| 2. Hong Kong | 7. Bangladesh | 12. UAE | 17. Kenya |
| 3. UK | 8. USA | 13. Jamaica | 18. Malta |
| 4. Trinidad | 9. Sri Lanka | 14. Nigeria | 19. Germany |
| 5. Malaysia | 10. Canada | 15. India | 20. Japan |