July 16, 2019

The 2019 NUS Commencement signifies new journeys for its graduates. The persistent debate surrounding the merits of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) versus non-STEM subjects is likely to fade away for those who pursue non-academic occupations. The same may not hold true for those venturing deeper into academia. Professor Yun Ge (School of Education, University of Saint Joseph) and Associate Professor Ho Kong Chong (NUS Department of Sociology), in ‘The Cultivation of Research Labour in Pacific Asia with Special Reference to Singapore’ (Asia Pacific Education Review, 2018), argue that in a country where STEM doctoral training programs are embedded in the science and technology industry, differences between STEM and non-STEM programs are enlarged. STEM programs have stronger research networks, a greater variety of internship and placement opportunities, and are better financed.

The paper examined China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore with a special focus on Singapore. All five countries spend highly on research and development (R&D) in ensuring economic competitiveness. In Singapore, STEM doctoral programs have strong government support given various initiatives such as the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 plan. There is also a focus on industrial applications of R&D efforts beyond academia, as seen by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s policy of guaranteeing funding for applied science researchers who develop projects in collaboration with industry.

Prof Ge and A/P Ho used data from a separate study to illustrate the implications of a deepening industry-university-government nexus in Singapore. Some of the key findings were the lesser autonomy possessed by Singapore-based STEM doctoral students in developing their own research as compared to those from the humanities and social sciences (HSS) field, and the better financing of the former vis-à-vis the latter. As a result, while HSS students enjoy a more democratic atmosphere, they feel the need to balance their research interests with more marketable ones in order to attract financial investments from government and enterprises.

The embedding of STEM disciplines in Singapore’s industry also means that STEM doctoral students hold more diverse career plans since they are privileged in the three domains of industry, government, and academia. In contrast, HSS students are less optimistic about their job prospects and hold significant preferences in working in academia and university environments despite the drying up of such opportunities in East Asia.

Read the article here.