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The Singapore Management University's (SMU)
city campus will be the first of its kind in the historic Bras Basah district.
The SMU campus is part of an ambitious city planning exercise now underway to
revitalise community life in the heart of the city. The city campus is expected
to be ready by 2005.
Flanked by museums, theatres, art
galleries, cafes, restaurants and a range of shopping choices, planning for the
campus site has involved a broad spectrum of professional, community, civic and
public groups. Planners are bent on creating a unique city campus directed
towards the challenges of the new Millenium, yet centred on the historic origins
of this dynamic district.
Information about Singapore
Lying almost on the equator, Singapore is not
just one island but a main island with 63 surrounding islets. The main island
has a total land area of 682 square km. However, its compact size belies its
economic growth. In just 150 years, Singapore has grown into a thriving centre
of commerce and industry. Today, Singapore is rapidly taking its place among the
world's premier global cities, where talent from all around the world gather to
share innovative ideas and start new businesses.
Singapore boasts one of the most
stable societies in Asia. Its multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-lingual
groups are united in the common effort to keep Singapore a prosperous place.
Modern Singapore is a city of concrete, glass, freeways and shopping centres. In
the crowded streets of Chinatown, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple
worshippers still a part of everyday Singapore. In Little India, you can buy the
best sari material, freshly ground spices or a picture of your favorite Hindu
god. In the small shops of Arab Street, the cry of the muezzin can be heard from
the nearby Sultan Mosque. At the Esplanade, you enjoy world-class arts
performances while the jet-set club to the latest music at the cosmopolitan
clubs.
Singapore may no longer be the rough
and ready port of rickshaws, opium dens, pearl luggers and pirates, but you can
still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the flashing ceiling
fans at Raffles Hotel. Many other fine reminders of Singapore's colonial past
remain, despite the island's relentless development.
Perhaps Singapore's greatest treat is
the variety and quality of its food. For only a few dollars you can have a bowl
of steaming noodles, curry and rice, or delicious satay, all at the same food
stall table. Spend a little more, or a lot more, and Singapore has hundreds of
restaurants serving the best Chinese, Indian, Malay, European and other
International cuisines.
Facts at a glance:
Full country name : Republic of Singapore
Area :
646 sq km (252 sq mi)
Population : 4.2 million (growth rate 1.3%)
People : 76.8% Chinese, 13.9% Malay, 7.9% Indian and 1.4%
Eurasians and other ethnic groups
Language : Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English
Religion : 31% Taoist, 28% Buddhist, 18% Muslim, 10%
Christian, 4% Hindu
Government : Parliamentary democracy
President : S.R. Nathan
Prime Minister : Mr. Goh Chok Tong
If you come from a temperate climate, the first
thing that hits you is the heart. Temperature ranges from 24o to 32o C (75-89o
F) with an average daily maximum relative humidity of 84.3%. Fain falls all
year round but is most abundant from November to January. Rainfall occurs
mostly as sudden showers. It is good idea to carry an umbrella whenever you go
out. Wear light, comfortable, cotton clothing to beat the heat.
Cost of Living in Singapore
Living conditions in Singapore are amongst the best in Asia with
state-of-the art facilities for education, shopping, sports and recreation.
Singapore has one of the highest living standards in the South East Asia. Daily
necessities and luxuries are readily available. These are estimation of how much
is required during your stay in Singapore. They do not include tuition fees,
costs of books, telephone expenses, and travel expenses from your home country
to Singapore.
You will need money (cash) immediately on
your arrival for transport, meals, phone cards, etc. You should bring along at
least S$300 cash upon arrival.
Generally, there is no restriction on the
amount of foreign currency, travellers' cheque and bank draft into Singapore. It
is always wiser and safer to bring your sum of money in the form of a bank
draft.
You may bring along additional funds using
bank drafts made out in Singapore dollars and drawn from a Singapore bank.
Telegraphic transfers may also be made through another bank to your account.
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