Is NUS the next Harvard?

June 29, 2025

Dear readers,

For decades, the gold standard in higher education lay in the halls of Ivy League campuses or storied British universities.

But lately, Asian institutions are increasingly being seen as strong contenders, particularly among those seeking to form connections and kickstart their careers in this fast-growing part of the world.

In particular, Singapore has been pushing its way through global rankings to emerge as one of the top destinations for a quality higher education.

International students from the Czech Republic to Vietnam told CNA TODAY why they are choosing to study at universities in Singapore. However, many Singaporean students we spoke to still seem to aspire to study in the West as they look to the likes of Oxbridge and the Ivy League universities for a more international experience.

With a world that's in flux, what does a "world-class" education mean in today's context? We explore more in this week's Big Read.

Yours faithfully,
Yasmine Yahya
Deputy Chief Editor, CNA Digital (TODAY, Lifestyle & Luxury)

NUS and NTU shine in global rankings but is Singapore seen as a world-class university destination?