SUSScribe No. 38 | June 2017 | Page 5

Why the rename to SUSS and what implication does it have on the University’s academic offering? Since UniSIM was formed in 2005, there has been public confusion between UniSIM, SIM Global Education, SIM Society and SIM itself. A name change is needed to differentiate the autonomous university from the SIM brand. SIM took the option to retain its brand name, hence UniSIM made the change. Read more Is the acquiring of the autonomous status an opportunity to affect the perception of the University as being subpar given its low entry enrolment requirements? This false impression stems from a premise where higher education should be only an academic endeavor. It becomes exclusive and even elitist. Misreading the purpose of SUSS’s lower entry barrier not only diminishes the profundity of education as a social good and learning as developmental in nature, it also overlooks the University’s role as a place to gain continuing education, a second degree, a second wind in life. Read more Will new certificates be given to the alumni? Our alumni can download an attestation letter about the University’s name change from the SUSS website for use with their UniSIM certificates and transcripts. We will also be re-issuing certificates in the SUSS name to UniSIM graduates. The new certificate will include a statement indicating that the qualification was originally conferred by UniSIM. UniSIM graduates must update their particulars and register their request via our website. Apply here What are your aspirations for SUSS? SUSS’s mission of providing inclusive educational opportunities will remain. We will continue to provide an avenue of many pathways for people to get an education. It could be for a full undergraduate degree, a graduate degree, or it could just be for learning. The ways in which learning can be done is not only for our students’ working life, but for their own enrichment all the rest of their days. Prof Cheong also hopes that the alumni, out in the workforce, will live true to the name of the University. He said: “We hope that our students and alumni will have a strong social consciousness; will have that understanding of community and social needs in their professions, and live out this understanding every day of their lives.” How will the change benefit the alumni? I would say the main thing is the continual education opportunity; an opportunity to come back and teach our students; the opportunity to network with our professors and other graduates. Read more Read more 5