News | Students hope for wider range of modules as NTU draws more top researchers and faculty
TODAY Online
Drawing more top researchers and faculty members to NTU could raise its international standing and attract more funding and resources, said students and staff in response to the university's five-year plan. About 300 faculty members will also be recruited, and up to 100 new named professorships created in the next five years, said its president Subra Suresh. Students also hope the plan will translate to a wider range of modules on offer. Political scientist Woo Jun Jie, from NTU's School of Social Sciences, said the move to attract more post-doctoral researchers, giving them time and resources to develop their research agendas before moving into teaching, builds on the university's strength in research. He said Prof Suresh has so far shown himself to be an engaging leader who takes a "very personal approach" in engaging students, researchers and faculty members. Asst Prof Woo is also a recipient of the new Community Research Fellowship introduced by Prof Suresh. Assoc Prof Tan Ying Ying, from NTU's Division of Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, said the move to attract more faculty members and researchers was "absolutely exciting" amid budget and hiring freezes at universities around the world. Assoc Prof Tan said that the importance Prof Suresh has placed on the issue of female faculty and leadership was "inspiring" as women make up the minority in academia and leadership positions. Meanwhile, business and accounting undergraduates look forward to the new 40,000sqm academic building which will house the Nanyang Business School and the activities of several other colleges and schools.