So here we are in Singapore at the start of a busy couple of weeks in Asia to promote CQUniversity. Over the next two weeks the Chancellor and I will be meeting with many alumni of the university and with our partners across the region including many universities and colleges. We start in Singapore today then tomorrow go to Hong Kong from there it is on to China and Mongolia. I am going to blog regularly so that the university can see what we are up to and maybe identify opportunities to build relationships with this very important region.
With a population of 5.5 million, Education in Singapore is the second largest investment and key services export after Defence. In recent years, Singapore has moved towards a more flexible and diverse education system, aimed at providing students with greater flexibility including dual delivery program models (in country and internationally) and expansion of distance education programs.
A shortage of public university places in Singapore is the key reason 21,700 Singapore students pursued their studies overseas. The unmet demand presented opportunities for many study destinations including non-traditional study destinations such as China and Europe to attract more Singapore students. Australia remains the preferred study destination for Singaporean students followed by the UK, and USA.
So today we had lunch with three of our important alumni members Dr Carol Balhetchet Director of Youth Services - Singapore Children's Society, Dr KC Chang Managing Director for Planning and Logistics (Asia Pacific) Fed Ex Express and Dr Lina Director of Nursing - Lions Home for Elders. Each of these very impressive people have doctorates from our university. We are looking how we can better serve them as past students. 
This evening the Chancellor held a Reception for Alumni and University Partners. This even was a great success and we were able to connect with many friends of the University.
The Australian High Commissioner to Australia Mr Philip Green attended the event. It was good to hear a briefing from him about Singapore and share our plans for Singapore.
The Chancellor spoke about CQuniversity's engagement agenda and I gave a presentation on how we were developing as a university. It was good to have Anita (my wife and Program Director for Ultrasound, Chiro, Medical Imaging and Echo Cardiology) to give information about out health programs.
It has been a very quick visit to Singapore - but very worthwhile and one that we can build on as a University. Off to Hong Kong first thing in the morning.
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