UNSW *speechless*

The biggest shock came late last night when I heard that UNSW is closing its Singapore campus. Everyone in Singapore was hyped up over the opening of their campus here - students who dreamt of going to Australia to study but could not had their dreams come true when UNSW announced its opening, PhD students who wanted to lecture at local universities were happy to have another option amidst the already few universities here, parents who could not afford to send their children to Australia could send them to UNSW just by paying a little more than the other universities' fees. But all their dreams were shattered overnight when the school announced its unexpected closure to staff, students and the media. The website was also closed and only a simple notification of closure was on the front page. It was shocking. It would have been better if the university had not started classes or accepting students, but these students were in the middle of their school term! One even commented that he brought along his homework when he went for the meeting the school held for students, uncertain whether or not he needed to submit his homework. Such an unexpected closure may perhaps be economically viable for EDB and UNSW, but have they considered how this might impact the students? Students who were in the middle of their school term. Could they not have given them more notice? Could they not have held forums with students and staff to discuss the matter before making the decision to close the school? How irresponsible can they get? It is indeed disheartening to see that society has progressed to such a stage. Perhaps it will be expected for commercial organizations to make such a move, laying off thousands of workers, but even they do it gradually unless something major happens. A school is the heart of education, of knowledge, of learning, and of course, a school should not only teach one the contents of the textbook but also how they should play a part for society, how to be good people. For a school to engage in such an irresponsible act definitely ruins any good reputation or goodwill the school may have previously. At least in my opinion. Things could have been handled better, for sure.