CQU is helping Singapore ramp up its workforce to support the goal of a $20 billion per annum biomedical science/pharmaceutical science research and manufacturing industry.

The University has helped filled a niche by providing biomedical science degree 'top-ups' for Singaporeans who have polytechnic diplomas in biomedical science, biotechnology, medical laboratory science and chemistry.

More than 100 are enrolled at the moment.

CQU Associate Professor Graham Pegg this week outlined progress on the University's biomedical science degree offering in Singapore, as a case study within CQU International's Country Focus Seminar (the first in a series).

Dr Pegg explained how CQU's strong distance education platform, combined with assistance from CQU International and in-country intelligence from educational management leader the Hartford Institute had made the venture a success.

Identification of the relevant feeder institutes and programs had been vital, although local word-of-mouth was helping to spread the student base further.

"The lab skills componet is offered in conjunction with Singapore Polytechnic and our distance delivery is supported by in-country classes organised by Hartford," Dr Pegg said.

"Even though the teaching model does not require us to send CQU lecturers to Singapore we will start to arrange visits now the cohort is growing.

"Assignments are marked in-country with CQU staff moderation and our Hartford students sit the same Biomed course exams as our Australians, with all exams being marked at CQU.

"There are as many high achievers in the Singaporean cohort as in our Australian cohort.

"Many of our students are young working women who are trying to advance their careers".

Dr Pegg introduced one of the Singaporean biomed students - Benedict Yuen - who is visiting CQU Rockhampton at the moment to gain pratical laboratory experience.

He said Mr Yuen had been working at a high level, teaming with a local student, and one of his projects was worthy of submission to an international conference.

Professor Debbie Clayton, CQU's Director of International Development and Services, explained the wider context of CQU's involvement in Singapore.

She said CQU has been teaching students in Singapore since the early 1990s and currently delivers programs via the Hartford Institute (part of RafflesEducationCorp).

Degrees on offer include the Professional Doctorate, the Masters of Business Administration and bachelor-level awards in multimedia studies, science (psychology), business (marketing), IT (bioinformatics) and biomedical science.

"We currently have 23 pathway agreements with Singaporean education providers," she said.

There are a more than 400 Singaporean students doing CQU degrees but only 19 Singaporeans have travelled to study at one of CQU's Australian campuses.

One of those who has come to CQU Rockhampton - Valerie Wee - was on hand at the presentation to explain her experience.

Ms Wee, a marketing student, said CQU offered an attractive number of credit exemptions and a comfortable study load. She had come to Rockhampton in particular rather than a metropolitan campus to avoid distractions.

Photos: Featured speakers at the Singapore Country Focus Seminar included (below) Professor Debbie Clayton, Benedict Yuen and Associate Professor Graham Pegg and (above) Valerie Wee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Angela Delves.