Non-returning students
A Singaporean doing doctorate writes on topical subject.
May 16, 2002

I read an article in Straits Times about returning overseas students who find it difficult to adjust to the Singapore lifestyle. Perhaps I could share some experiences too.

An Economic Review Committee revealed that 1 in 3 overseas students would not return to Singapore upon graduation. This has apparently worried our PM that the "talent pool could be depleted".

As if we never saw this coming? From my point of view, what's so wrong to remain aboard in the first place?

Can't we as Singaporeans contribute from overseas? Shouldn't we congratulate and send well wishes to those who choose to remain aboard?

After all, this is a sign of Singaporeans possessing the ability to strive and survive in a much more challenging world rather be confined, pampered and protected by the government's policies.

And I proclaim this as a darn good sign!

Here's a personal encounter. During my Masters' course of study, I met a fellow Singaporean. Call him Yale.

For a moment, I was like a long-lost relative to him. Not that I have completely forgotten how to speak "Singlish" but during my 7 years in the US, I have only met 3 Singaporeans, including him.

Glad as he seemed, Yale would find time every day to talk to me about how good a bowl of laksa was or how much he missed home or that he called home twice a week to speak to his mum.

It's not difficult to guess that Yale belongs to the 66.67% of those who would return to Singapore upon graduation. Oh yes, the only reason why he studied a Masters course is to earn more money.

To Yale, I am probably the biggest moron who is a Singaporean and wanted to pursue a PhD.

When I told him my intention, his face was flat and he did not even reveal the slightest emotion of joy or sadness.

Then he murmured to himself " What a waste to time." As expected, Yale did return to Singapore. Though we never kept in touch, I am sure he still thinks I am a moron.

Now, is Yale the kind of talent that we want? I am not provoking a personal attack on Yale. But believe it or not, Yale may represent at least 50% of those who return to Singapore.

To their friends and relatives in Singapore, Yale is an overseas educated graduate who is supposed to have seen the "World".

But to someone who has enrolled in the same course as him, Yale turns out to what I refer as a "nut-shell" student. He goes to school, hangs out with Singaporeans, eats in school and goes home.

Repeat this 5 days a week. 3 academic quarters a year. 4~5 years for a Bachelor and Masters degree. Boom! Outcomes an overseas graduate. So, is Yale the kind of talent that we really want? Think twice now.

It has been almost 7 years since I embarked Changi Airport on my maiden flight to the United States. Four years later, I graduated with a Bachelor degree, 2 years, a Masters degree and now I am pursuing my Doctorate degree.

All these while, I never once denied I was from Singapore. Friends, peers, acquaintances and colleagues are proud to have a Singapore national as part of their community.

They are intrigued by the Singapore identity and our multi-racial society. They marveled at the Singapore cuisine.

They are amazed that we speak and write such good English. Not to forget, they are even more surprised to know we are educated under a bilingual system.

No, I am not referring to country bumpkins or rednecks living in the mid-east, but Americans who live and work in Los Angeles. After all, there aren't many Singaporeans are pursing a PhD overseas.

So when was the last time we heard of a Singaporean battling the bulls and the bears at Wall Street? Or a high-tech company in the Valley of Silicon whose brain-child is a Singaporean?

Remember, Ebay founder is Pierre Omidyar, a French-Iranian immigrant. Or a Nobel prize recipient who is a Singaporean? Spare me Sim Wong Hoo. Give that guy a break already.

Stop hanging on to a few branches of the presumably technopreneur tree of hope. Start looking forward to cultivate a forest now.

This may well imply that letting graduates stay overseas. Let them flourish. Let them face the world themselves, whether it's in the most busiest streets of New York, or the most rural areas of Africa aiding famine struck villages.

In return their pride is also the pride of Singapore. At the end of the day, even if their passports may not be red with golden fonts that spell "PASSPORT SINGAPORE", at least they were born in Singapore.

This is perhaps what some refer to as globalisation.
Vincent Seah
May 16, 2002