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NTU MOE PRC scholar threatens to break bond and return to China for good if his PR application is rejected again
Source : Posted by temasektimes on March 14, 2012
Bond-breaking among foreign scholars appears to be a common phenomenon nowadays which the Singapore government can do little to prevent as large amount of public funds continues to get ‘wasted’ on nurturing foreigners instead of locals.
chinanews.com carried a feature in January this year on the plight of PRC scholars studying in Singapore who were left in limbo after the government halted its usual practice of sending them invitation letters to apply for Singapore PR upon graduation.
Without the letter, it is more difficult for these scholars to find a stable well-paying job in Singapore.
24 year old Dong Zhi Hong (董志鸿) graduated from Shenyang University in 2009 and came to study his Masters in Nanyang Technological University on a Singapore government scholarship which required him to work in Singapore for three years upon graduation.
Unlike Singaporeans who have to pay through their noses to study for a Master Degree in NTU, Mr Dong not only studied at NTU for free, he was also given a generous living and housing allowance.
PRC scholars are ‘automatically’ invited to become a Singapore PR upon graduation. However, because of the abrupt change in the government’s immigration policies, not only did Mr Dong not receive the ‘standard’ invitation letter from ICA, his PR application was rejected twice in 2010 and 2011.
Mr Dong said he intends to apply for Singapore PR this year and if it is rejected again, he will break his bond and return to China for good, stressing the bond will not be a factor.
“I know Singaporeans now feel there are too many foreigners, but Singapore also need foreigners at the same time,” he added.
(今年他打算再申请一次永久居民，若还是被拒就会索性回中国，而奖学金合约也将不是限制他的因素。他说：“我知道本地人认为现在外来人口太多，但新加坡同时也需要外国人。”)
Mr Dong proposed the ICA should change the criteria for prospective immigrants:
“Those construction workers, laborers holding work permits will not immigrate as they just want to earn more money and return home. Only highly educated talents will consider immigration. ICA should spell out the criteria clearly. Which type of people has no hope? What are the reasons for an application being rejected?”
(董志鸿认为，移民与关卡局应改变现有的移民程序。他说：“那些做基础建设、持工作准证的外劳基本上不会移民，因为他们只想多赚一点钱衣锦还乡。想移民的人，其实是接受过高等教育的高端人才。然而，当局却没有一个移民标准。什么样的人没有希望？申请被拒是因为什么原因？往后应该如何补救？完全没有方向感。”)
The government should reveal the number of foreign scholars who break their bonds each year as well as the costs incurred. A foreigner studying in a Singapore university is a place deprived for a local. More resources should be diverted to ensure Singaporeans and NOT foreigners get a quality tertiary education here.
Source : Posted by temasektimes on March 14, 2012
Bond-breaking among foreign scholars appears to be a common phenomenon nowadays which the Singapore government can do little to prevent as large amount of public funds continues to get ‘wasted’ on nurturing foreigners instead of locals.
chinanews.com carried a feature in January this year on the plight of PRC scholars studying in Singapore who were left in limbo after the government halted its usual practice of sending them invitation letters to apply for Singapore PR upon graduation.
Without the letter, it is more difficult for these scholars to find a stable well-paying job in Singapore.
24 year old Dong Zhi Hong (董志鸿) graduated from Shenyang University in 2009 and came to study his Masters in Nanyang Technological University on a Singapore government scholarship which required him to work in Singapore for three years upon graduation.
Unlike Singaporeans who have to pay through their noses to study for a Master Degree in NTU, Mr Dong not only studied at NTU for free, he was also given a generous living and housing allowance.
PRC scholars are ‘automatically’ invited to become a Singapore PR upon graduation. However, because of the abrupt change in the government’s immigration policies, not only did Mr Dong not receive the ‘standard’ invitation letter from ICA, his PR application was rejected twice in 2010 and 2011.
Mr Dong said he intends to apply for Singapore PR this year and if it is rejected again, he will break his bond and return to China for good, stressing the bond will not be a factor.
“I know Singaporeans now feel there are too many foreigners, but Singapore also need foreigners at the same time,” he added.
(今年他打算再申请一次永久居民，若还是被拒就会索性回中国，而奖学金合约也将不是限制他的因素。他说：“我知道本地人认为现在外来人口太多，但新加坡同时也需要外国人。”)
Mr Dong proposed the ICA should change the criteria for prospective immigrants:
“Those construction workers, laborers holding work permits will not immigrate as they just want to earn more money and return home. Only highly educated talents will consider immigration. ICA should spell out the criteria clearly. Which type of people has no hope? What are the reasons for an application being rejected?”
(董志鸿认为，移民与关卡局应改变现有的移民程序。他说：“那些做基础建设、持工作准证的外劳基本上不会移民，因为他们只想多赚一点钱衣锦还乡。想移民的人，其实是接受过高等教育的高端人才。然而，当局却没有一个移民标准。什么样的人没有希望？申请被拒是因为什么原因？往后应该如何补救？完全没有方向感。”)
The government should reveal the number of foreign scholars who break their bonds each year as well as the costs incurred. A foreigner studying in a Singapore university is a place deprived for a local. More resources should be diverted to ensure Singaporeans and NOT foreigners get a quality tertiary education here.
