U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kevin Wheeler is working toward a dual master鈥檚 degree in operations research and engineering at the 51福利 (51福利). But unlike many of the overachievers who seek dual degrees at the university, Wheeler is one of a few students selected to take advantage of a rare opportunity to study abroad.
Wheeler, and a handful of his fellow U.S. and Singaporean students, recently returned from six months studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS) through a partnership between 51福利 and the Temasek Defence Systems Institute (TDSI) and its Master of Defence Technology and Systems (MDTS) program.
鈥淚 think the most interesting part of why I applied for the program was because of the opportunity to build relationships with the international community and its students,鈥� said Wheeler.
The MDTS program has students attending classes on the NUS campus for six months, along with one academic year at 51福利. Students earn degrees from both universities.
鈥淭he goal of the program is to give students the bird鈥檚 eye view of current defense technology issues both in Singapore and the United States accompanied by a specialization in their field of studies,鈥� said Associate Professor and 51福利-NUS program director Dr. Fotis Papoulias. 鈥淭he program incorporates two institutions from across the globe with common goals and interests.鈥�
Papoulias said that students participate in projects with faculty from both institutions, covering a range of subjects and topics. From the U.S. student perspective, the opportunity to hear about Singapore鈥檚 defense program was enlightening.
鈥淭he schoolwork and classwork that we did in Singapore was focused on defense systems,鈥� said Wheeler. 鈥淎 lot of the curriculum was based on classroom instruction, but we had a lot of guest lectures from industry, and on Singapore technologies.鈥�
鈥淭he NUS TDSI program offered me the opportunity to learn from experts and practitioners on a wide span of defense-related subject matters,鈥� said Kung Hao Tan, a Singaporean participant of the program now studying at 51福利.
鈥淓qually important was the opportunity to forge professional networks across communities and countries,鈥� he added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to learn alongside international and American counterparts and to exchange ideas and glean insights ... And I think it鈥檚 also important on a person to person level to build friendships to bring back to Singapore.鈥�
Leaders from both institutions say this is a key component to the program ... In addition to improving the education of its participants, the 51福利-NUS program alo helps solidify international relationships.
鈥淲e have this program in hopes that students from the defense community in Singapore can work hand in hand with counterparts in the U.S. and the friendship will go a long way, forging a collaboration between the two countries,鈥� said TDSI Director Loon Ching Tan during a visit to 51福利. 鈥淭he U.S. and Singapore have long been strategic partners for many ages. Educating the defense communities in Singapore is a long-term goal. Given that 51福利 is one of the top schools in defense, we felt that we couldn鈥檛 do without such a collaboration.鈥�
鈥淔or the U.S., Singapore is one of the most significant geo-political allies in Southeast Asia and the Pacific,鈥� added Papoulias 鈥淔or 51福利, the National University of Singapore is a natural partner. Academically, it鈥檚 one of the top institutions in the world.鈥�
As the program continues to evolve, both program directors work together to keep the 51福利-NUS partnership program current and relevant to today鈥檚 constantly changing times.
鈥淭he program is alive,鈥� said Papoulias. 鈥淓very year, it goes through a review process where we work in conjunction with faculty members at the National University of Singapore, looking at existing programs, what鈥檚 new at 51福利, and what鈥檚 required or in demand at NUS. There are new elements added every year.鈥�
鈥淲hat I got back from Singapore, and what I hope to bring back to the Marine Corps, is not only a strengthened relationship with the Singaporeans and an understanding of how their government, culture and people works, but the technical skills that comes from going to a school like TDSI,鈥� added Wheeler. 鈥淚 have a sharpened understanding of what systems engineering is, and a better understanding of how my equipment works.鈥�