European business school ESSEC opens new campus in Singapore

SINGAPORE: A European business school is increasing its presence in Singapore — with a new campus in one—north.

The ESSEC Asia Pacific Campus, which is now operating from its premises at the National Library Building in Victoria Street, is investing S$40 million in the new building. The school started operations in Singapore in 2005.

The five—storey building, which will be built on a 5,430—square—metre plot in Nepal Hill, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014.

With that, it will be able to triple its training capacity and take in about 1,500 students a year.

Currently, the school takes in about 500 students a year. About a third are international students. The number of faculty members will increase from 11 to about 35 in 2016—2017.

The school is also considering further expansion — by doubling the size of the new campus — to make a name for itself in the Asia—Pacific region.

Dr Pierre Tapie, President and Dean of ESSEC Business School, said: "Today, the world is global and places where you can really be educated globally are not so many. And ESSEC, with the decision of investing in this campus, grasps much more bi—continental (and) global character."

The new campus at one—north will offer more programmes, including an executive MBA and a Specialised Masters of Science, to meet local needs.

— CNA/de