REAL ESTATE EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE - A PARADIGM SHIFT?

Abstract

This dissertation traces the development of real estate education in Singapore from the time it began in 1968 till today. It seeks to examine the changing paradigms of real estate education as the traditional manufacturing based economy morphs into today's knowledge based economy. The fundamental issues facing real estate education are the UK versus the US models, the dilemma of vocational training versus a university education, the question of whether real estate education can be considered a true academic discipline and the impact of globalisation and technological advancement on teaching paradigms. As rapid changes influence the real estate industry, this impact on real estate education in terms of ensuring that graduates remain relevant today and in future is also discussed. Being a unique blend of the strengths of both the UK and US models of real estate education, the real estate course in Singapore is an example of how both the curricula and the mode of delivery will need to remain flexible to accommodate changes. A case study of how the real estate course is taught in a US university is also included as a comparison to Singapore's real estate course. New education paradigms such as life-long learning, problem-based learning and creative thinking, together with information and communication technology challenge and change the traditional learning environment of imparting information, creating the thrust for both academic institutions and professional bodies to work together to re-examine and define the graduate that will fit into the real estate industry of the future.