As the Australian government focuses its innovation agenda on science and technology, Channel NewsAsia reports that Singapore’s Ministry of Education intends to capitalise upon a 40% increase in creative arts degree enrolments to better align industry and creative arts graduate needs. “Arts education cultivates creativity, imagination, multiple perspectives and innovation; each trait is important in forging our future” Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim told the Parliament. “We want these graduates to have good career prospects, contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of our economy and society and at the same time keep developing their passion, skills and love for what they do”.
No doubt these aims are being closely followed by Singapore’s Raffles University which has just acquired the ailing Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico, giving it a base to expand into the US market.
Meanwhile in China, Dr Ken Chu, member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and CEO of the Mission Hills Group, has called for more effective government support and training in creative arts to maximise creative industry potential and grow Hong Kong as a regional arts hub.