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Can you give us an overview of MDIS: its history, its presence in Asia,
and its curriculum?
The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), founded in
1956, is Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong
learning.MDIS provides well-accredited courses,seminars and management
services, as well as professional development through academic programs
in the areas of Business and Management, Mass Communications, Life
Sciences, Information Technology, and Travel, Tourism and Hospitality
Management; offered in collaboration with highly acclaimed universities in
the United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia. MDIS also
has representative offices in China, India,Vietnam,Thailand and Indonesia
and is represented by agents in Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
What courses of study are available in the School of Life Sciences? Are
the basic sciences taught? What are the subjects covered?
In addition to the pre-degree Foundation Certificate and the direct Honors
degree courses we offer, this year we are launching our Post-Graduate
Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Management.
This is a program eagerly sought after by the industry and which we are
offering in collaboration with our industry partner, Seerpharma (S) Pte Ltd,
and the University of Bradford. Our honours programs are also awarded by
the University of Bradford, and are themselves in industry-relevant subject
areas such as Pharmaceutical Management and Biomedical Sciences. Other
than these university level programs, we provide basic training in disciplines
such as health education and hygiene. Amongst the 12 modules of the life
sciences foundation program alone are subjects like physiology, molecular
cell biology,chemistry and bioinformatics,which provide an excellent ground
level understanding of the disciplines that has been recognized by universities
in New Zealand, the UK, the US, Australia and other countries.
Interview with the Director of the
MDIS School of Life Sciences:
Dr Andrew P. Lucy

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Does MDIS have laboratories for students in the life science courses?
What are the backgrounds of your teaching faculty?
We have four laboratories in the UniCampus that allow students to do
hands-on practical work.They are designed to be of university standard and
to meet the requirements of, amongst other authorities, the MOE and NEA.
Complementing our full-time staff (all life science trained, three at PhD
level), we also have over 40 associate lecturers in our teaching faculty—all of
whom have established industry, university and/or hospital experience; and
who bring with them their considerable networks to benefit our students. For
example, our lecturers, through their involvement in the industry, can make
a direct and “live” connection for the students in and out of class. Further,
our students are given guided, interactive tours of selected high profile life
science organizations, and our Academic Advisory Board is proud to boast
senior talent from both the government and private life science sectors
(including GSK).
Who is eligible to join this course and what are the minimum
requirements?
We welcome anyone interested in the life sciences, even those who were not
in the pure science streams,for whom our Foundation Certificate is designed
to provide the pre-requisite background necessary for further studies in a
degree program (or for direct use at entry level in the industry). Enrolment
on the Foundation Certificate program requires a minimum of GCE N Levels,
but prior work experience will also be considered on a case-by-case basis
and we will provide suitable pre-class tutorials to ease the transition when
necessary.For the Bachelor programs,the MDIS Foundation Certificate,GCE
‘A’ Levels or other relevant qualifications are required, and acceptance onto
the post-graduate program will be based upon previous studies to degree
level or suitable working experience.
What is the student profile like? What percentage is local and how
many are from overseas?
The School of Life Sciences currently has more than 900 students, of which
about 85% are local, with the remainder hailing from all around the world.
So, we welcome a cosmopolitan mix of students from all walks of life (taxi
drivers, lawyers, policemen and medical doctors) and with a very diverse
span of ages (we have students from 16 to 60 years old at the moment!). In
total, MDIS has over 12,000 students, of which about 3,500 are attracted
to us from over 55 different countries.
How much is each course and how long do they take?
Considering the standard (non-accelerated) routes,the Foundation Certificate
would cost S$5,200 and the Bachelor program about S$33,000 (for the full
three year duration). A full-time student could complete the Foundation
Certificate in 6 months and the Bachelor programs in three years; whereas
a part-time student could finish the Foundation Certificate in 11 months
and the Bachelor programs in 3½ years. The fees for the post-graduate
certificate program are about S$11,000 and it would take about six months
of study to complete.

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Where do most of the graduates end up working (pharma companies/
biotech companies)? Are students attached to any research institutes
or companies?
Our students end up in both the public and private sectors in biomedical,
biotech, health and pharmaceutical industries. Most of them have (or
get) positions in hospitals, medical centres, pharmaceutical companies,
laboratories, research facilities and renowned institutes. Indeed, with our
Career Assistance Unit and strong contacts in the industry, many companies
contact us directly to tap into our pool of student and graduate talent. We
are also able to provide our students with internship opportunities in both
the private and government sectors.
What percentage of the curriculum is lab-based or research-based?
Depending on the module and the program, the curriculum is about 70%
theory and 30% lab-based. We also offer extra-curricular lab activities to our
students on a merit award basis. You can get details of all our programs by
pointing your browser to http://www.mdis.edu.sg/academic-programs/life-
sciences/index.php or by contacting us by telephone at 6247 9111 / 6372
1000 or email at bioscience@mdis.edu.sg.
How is this course different from others in NTU, NUS etc.? How are
students prepared or equipped to join the workforce?
Our program provision differs from that available elsewhere in several ways:
First and foremost, we place our greatest emphasis on inculcating in our
students a sense of ownership in their education. We listen to their needs,
and those of the industry, and proactively seek to confer the greatest benefit
possible to both. We develop and nurture strong industrial tie-ins and
develop a combined talent base in our graduates through the combination
of applied lab-work and academic knowledge. Through our program tracks,
students with no relevant science background can pursue a science degree
(with Honors) in as little as three and a half years. We also enable our
students to develop proficiencies in various soft skills such as CV writing,
interviewing, and literature sourcing/reviewing and writing. Our students
have journal clubs and a council, and have taken part in corporate research
activities hosted in our labs. In addition, we strongly encourage widening
participation—we want to give the opportunity to learn to everyone seeking
it. That is the primary goal of our foundation program: to reduce the

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“burden of need” for prior knowledge in those seeking a degree education
and/or a place in the workforce of the fourth pillar of Singapore’s economy.
It is our vision to provide a holistic and all-rounded education to all of our
students.
Does MDIS collaborate with other schools?
As I mentioned, our degree programs are conferred by the University of
Bradford (UK)—a highly reputed university in the subjects we teach, and
one eminently recognized by industry. We also provide career talks on the
life sciences and campus tours for secondary schools, junior colleges and
polytechnics. In addition, we have collaborated with top scientists such as
Alan Colman (of Dolly the Sheep fame), to share their expertise with our
students and corporate members;and with research institutes and corporate
partners for internship opportunities and staff training.
What is your view on life science research and education in Singapore?
I am impressed that the Singapore government has invested so much time,
energy and money in this industry.The research being conducted is very good
and has the potential to become excellent. The facilities and infrastructure
are superb, and all of this attracts top talent (and big business), providing
the necessary base to nurture and develop new (and local) talent and keep
the industry thriving for the benefit of the country and region (and, more
altruistically, to the benefit of mankind, which, after all, is the ultimate goal
of the knowledge and skills we and our graduates seek).
Any advice for young, aspiring scientists?
Have a passion for what you do. Science is no longer an “ivory tower” and
a profound understanding is attainable through education, if only you have
the drive to face the necessary challenges. Biology, the study of life, is both
an art and a science — a window into everything from computers (DNA
processors) to biogeology, from xenobiology (work in NASA) to foods, and
from medicine to the environment and biophysics.Listen,question,practice,
and learn. Never let your wonder fade and never stop asking questions! We
will build your ladder; all you need do is climb! ■
Contact Details:
MDIS
Address: 501 Stirling Road
Singapore
Tel: +65 6278 8000
Email: mdis@mdis.edu.sg
URL: www.mdis.edu.sg