SUSS (Formerly UniSIM) Looking to Move Out of SIM to a Central Location

If you’ve been a long-time resident of Singapore, you’re probably familiar with the never-ending debate about the East side vs the West side.  While Singapore boasts some reputable educational institutions like NTU, NUS and SUSS, all of which are located in the western part of the island, one of these institutions is looking to make a big move to a more central location.

Which school are we talking about? 

Well, it’s SUSS, short for the Singapore University of Social Sciences (formerly known as UniSIM). 

The university is currently in talks with authorities to relocate to a more central location to better serve its unique student population, which primarily consists of working adults pursuing part-time degrees.

SUSS Thinking of Relocating from SIM to a Central Location

This news is particularly great for current SUSS students who have had to deal with the inconvenience of getting to their current campus.

Unless you live in the west lah.

For those who’ve never made the trip to SUSS or SIM before, let me break it down for you. 

SUSS isn’t exactly a leisurely stroll away from the nearest MRT station. If you’re taking the MRT, you’ll need to alight at either King Albert Park station (if you’re on the Downtown Line) or Clementi station (if you’re taking the East-West Line).

From there, you’ll have to hop on a bus at one of the nearby bus stops. Depending on the bus schedule or the density of the crowd, this can add another ten to 20 minutes to your journey.

Reader: Singaporeans love to complain about everything. If you can get to university, that’s good enough.

Meeting the Needs of Their Unique Student Body

Instead of looking at this issue in a negative light, let’s look at the bigger picture and understand why SUSS is looking to make the big move.

What sets SUSS apart from the other universities is its student demographic. Most of their students are mature working adults, some with families and children to look after. 

SUSS typically has around 1,000 full-time undergraduate students and about 4,000 part-time undergraduates and graduate students.

You can expect a different demographic compared to the traditional 18 to 24-year-old undergraduates at universities like NTU or NUS; you’ll find a more mature and experienced student body at SUSS.

The average age of their part-time undergrad student is 30, and they usually attend classes three times a week, mostly during the evenings.

SUSS President Tan Tai Yong expressed the university’s desire for a central location that is easily accessible from all parts of the island. Additionally, they are seeking a dedicated space designed to facilitate practical, industry-partnered learning experiences.

These requests are raised to meet the needs of their unique student body, as many of them are working professionals pursuing degrees and other continuing education courses. 

The institution hopes that the new campus will be located in a “good location” accessible from all parts of the island. That means having MRT stations and bus stops within walking distance.

These considerations aim to ensure convenience, reduce reliance on private transportation, and enhance the safety of their part-time students, especially those who attend evening classes and need to travel home late at night.