If you have not yet heard about the exciting news, here it is :

Singapore’s top GCE “A” level student came from China (Shanghai – to be precise)!!! 

May be I should also take this opportunity to refresh your memory :

Top GCE “O” level student came from Malaysia.

Top PSLE student came from China!!!

You guys still doubting the effectiveness of the government’s foreign talent policy?  Still sore about the petty sum of scholarship invested on foreign scholars?  The government got back every cent!

post #55 on December 26th, 2009 7.00 pm

why are those students given a year to decide to stay & contribute to our economy?

hmmm, how many locals are employed in the construction industry? what is the foreign/local ratio?

maybe a detail breakdown of their contribution to airline (which 1? lol…), F&B, entertainment industries? i dare say our public transport operaters are more than happy that they do earn more from a larger influx of these students. that’s alot of details to show, take your time though. :P

Incidentally, who was this year’s top PSLE student? A girl who came from PRC. Yes, you heard it right, from the People’s Republic of China! Handicapped with a poor command of English when she first arrived and without the advantage of studying in popular or prestigious primary school, she topped the whole nation in that examination which is of paramount importance to all Singaporean parents and students! What does this mean? The country is robbing invaluable talents from China!

Foreign students studying in Singapore’s private schools and universities are not subsidised. They paid the same rates as what Singaporeans are paying.

For those foreign students studying in public universities under scholarships or subsidies, it is SIngapore’s privilege that they are willing to study here. These students could have chosen to study in world class universities in UK or US.

That is common knowledge, provided that Singaporeans are not subsidizing for these students.

The fact is we are.

It is Singapore as a nation that needs foreign students due to its strategy of becoming an international education hub. When these foreign students completed their studies, they are given one year to consider whether to take up a job in Singapore and contribute to SIngapore’s economy.

As a result, not only Singapore’s education industry grows – office property, construction (more private schools and hostels are built), food and beverage, airlines, recruitment and entertainment industries are all being pulled along!

Just imagine, how much values have been added!

This is a joke.

The last time it happened was because of the Asian Financial Crisis.

So, by introducing FTs, we have create the seeds of such a crisis in Singapore.

BTW, Singapore made monies through exports…

If the ST index did fall to 1000 because of FT, I will buy like crazy because it will raise in no time above that.

A country’s index dependent on FTs. What a joke!

We have lots of “poor” people with high CPF that if released, they can consume.

One of most stupid thing I ever heard: FT hold Singapore hostage?!

We needn’t tell these foreign students.

Most of them didn’t want to stay here.

Ask lots of them and you will understand.

Zhang Yuan Yuan didn’t just happen like that.

What a joke!

“S’pore can do without people who only look out for their self-interest. the shorter their stay, the better (for S’pore). having them here does not bode well for S’pore’s image.”

Say that to the countless number of foreign students currently studying in Singapore’s universities and private educational centres; say it to the foreign workers currently building up Singapore’s economy!

You know what would happen if these students and workers leave? Singapore’s economy grinds to a halt. Period!

The Straits Times Index falls below 1,000 points. Period!

post #47 on December 20th, 2009 4.01 pm

////It is only when they could not benefit from Singapore that they would leave.////

S’pore can do without people who only look out for their self-interest. the shorter their stay, the better (for S’pore). having them here does not bode well for S’pore’s image.

If you keep on talking like this, foreign talent will keep on eclipsing and shadowing locals who will not have the important opportunities to build up the necessary competence in key positions for our own local continuity.

The tendency is always there for foreigners, those holding key positions, to try bringing in their own kind to work as working partners, and why not given the good sanction offered by officialdom who has openly elevated them to such glorified level.

Even for hard menial jobs like labourers and cleaners or semi-skilled workers who cannot beat the low wage that low-cost foreigners are doing. We are only perpetuating and setting a very low cost benchmark that no local can ever match and do and hence in turn create the circular argument that ‘locals are too choosy and refuse to do dirty work’.

It is alright to allow the foreigners if the economy & situation allows, however we must also be flexible to turn off the inflow if necessary.

But when you source talents from overseas, you have that great advantage of selecting only the cream of crop.

Retention of foreign talents should never be a concern. It is simply common sense that if you treat them well, they will not want to leave. They will stay and like this country. It is only when they could not benefit from Singapore that they would leave. So, safeguard their interests and make them happy when they are here.

Don’t you think that we should rely ourself on job creation rather than rely on unreliable foreigner? Do you prefer to continue rely on Malaysia for drinking water or self dependent? Please look at the big picture too!

If businessmen and investors do not make profits, they will leave for other countries. Unemployment rate will go up. The foreign talents, given their talents, will have no problem because they could simply pack and leave for greener pasture. What about Singaporeans? They have nowhere to go.

I am surprised Singaporeans complained about the foreign talent policy. Your job or your children’s jobs may be taken over by foreign talents, but don’t forget these foreign talents also created jobs for your parents, cousins, aunts, uncles and neighours. Look at the big picture!