2007
JANUARY – M ARCH
2
4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE. . .
PROPERTY WATCH.
Easing the crunch on office space.
3
Time of their lives at Clifford Pier.
City Hall dressed up with a cause.
First State property as boutique business hotel.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE:
7
A N E W S L E T T E R F O R S L A’ S PA R T N E R S
6
Public e-consultation: a first by SLA for surveying and
mapping master plan.
Having tea with registered surveyors.
SLA partners EnterpriseOne to serve businesses better.
8 Shenton Way #26-01
Temasek Tower
Singapore 068811
Tel: (65) 6323 9829
Fax: (65) 6323 9937
[email protected]
www.sla.gov.sg
A Statutory Board of
the Ministry of Law
BOU UETS.
New guidelines for stamping business identity on State buildings.
SLA and AUSBE seal executive representation.
Adventure race
and carnival set to
make waves
Iconic State properties set to
become ‘the next big thing’
for the East
3
5
Top Indian Management School set
up dream campus in Singapore
8
SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY
02
In this issue, Land features some properties that are
available for tender in April. Log on to www.spio.sla.gov.
sg to view the properties or call our SPIO hotline at 6323
9154 to arrange for a site visit.
Vacant State Land
Address: Along Punggol
East (Parcel 1)
GFA: 4,000 sqm
Site area: 17,544 sqm
Tenure: 3+3+3 years
Guide rental: $19,300
per month
Hot
Picks
Former Police Skid Pan
Address: Bath Road
off Mandai Road
GFA: 86.8 sqm
Site area: 10438.1 sqm
Tenure: 3+3+3 years
Guide rental: $8,870
per month
Hot
Picks
Approved uses: Campsite, plant nursery, test drive for
off-road vehicle
Approved uses: Plant nursery
Easing the crunch on office space
For the first time, SLA has made available State properties
solely for office use. This is in line with the Government’s
recent initiative to make available more office space to
meet the needs of financial institutions and other business
services. The total estimated gross floor area (GFA) to be let
out for the first half of 2007 is about 43,000 square metres
(sqm).
Of the six properties, three are located within the Central
Business District (195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, 18 Pearls’ Hill
Terrace and 341 River Valley Road). The key feature of these
six State properties is that most are former institutional
buildings that were last used as Government offices or
schools. They are chosen for their good locations and ease
for adaptive reuse.
The six State properties in the pipeline are:
The initiative to let out State properties for office use will
provide more options for companies and entrepreneurs
in both CBD and non-CBD areas, and optimise the use of
vacant State properties at the same time.
Tender
Closing
Date
GFA
(sqm)
Date
Available
Proposed
Tenure
a
Former Police HQ
195 Pearl’s Hill
Terrace
13,511
30 Jan 07
(Under
RentDirect
scheme)
3 years
till 2009
b
Former CAAS Office
1801 Upper Changi
Road North
1,027
8 Mar 07
3+3 years
till 2012
30 Mar 07
Former River Valley
Primary School
341 River Valley Road
4,390
8 Mar 07
3+3 years
till 2012
30 Mar 07
A former training
centre
18 Pearls’ Hill Terrace
698
2Q 2007
3 years
till 2009
Former CPIB building
150 Cantonment
Road
4,368
2Q 2007
3+3+3
years till
2016
Former ITE Pasir
Panjang
991 Alexandra Road
20,335
2Q 2007
3+3+3
years till
2016
Location
c
d
e
f
SLA’S VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES
Vision
To be a world-class land authority.
Mission
To optimise land resources for the economic and social
development of Singapore.
Core Values
• Nation First
• Always Delighting Customers
• People Organisation
• Integrity and Professionalism
• Innovation and Dynamism
Interested parties may visit SLA’s State Property and
Information Online (SPIO) web portal (http://www.spio.
sla.gov.sg), or call the SPIO hotline at 6323 9154 for more
information. SLA will assess the market response and takeup rate for these properties before deciding whether more
dedicated properties will be released for office use in the
second half of the year.
By Wang Hui Ling
These State properties were selected to help ease crunch
on office space and optimise the use of vacant State
properties. The six State properties identified have good
locations – some are in prime CBD areas, with large space
and purpose-built facilities. Depending on demand, we
will work with the relevant agencies to identify more sites
dedicated to office space in the second half of 2007.
– Mr Simon Ong, Director of Land Operations
For updating of particulars, as well as enquiries on subscription,
please contact Margaret Chee at Tel: 6325 7180 or
Email: [email protected]
We would like to hear your views and suggestions! Email us at
[email protected] to tell us what you want to read in Land!
Copyright © is held by SLA. All rights reserved. The contents of Land
may be reproduced subject to approval by SLA.
Advisory Committee Chairman Simon Ong
Advisory Committee Ng Siau Yong, Gaw Seng Suan, Wong Chooi Ling
Chief Editor Susan Koh
Contributing writers Violetta Wong, Margaret Chee,
Low Chiew Leng, Wang Hui Ling
Designed by Pagesetters Services Pte Ltd
A N E W S L E T T E R F O R S L A’ S P A R T N E R S
03
Adventure race and carnival set to
make waves
The three to four hours’ race for three categories – Open,
Youth and Family consisted of sporting activities such
as mountain biking, kayaking, navigation, running and
swimming. In addition, a Carnival was also held for Pasir
Ris Punggol GRC. About 300 competitors took part in the
Adventure Race and 2,000 turned up for the Carnival.
If you think that State Land is limited to the usual staid uses
such as location filming, wayang or religious celebration,
then think again. On 21 January 2007, the Punggol Adventure
Carnival ‘07 Adventure Race was held on a plot of land on
Punggol and Lorong Halus. This is the first time that State
land was used to organise such a large scale outdoor event.
According to Mr Ian Ng from Singapore Adventure Racing
Team, organiser of the event, adventure races require
large parcels of open natural spaces and SLA had unused
land, which they found suitable. He said: “SLA’s Land
Lease (Private) was very helpful, particularly Gavin Tan,
who provided a detailed contact list and map with a
breakdown of different plots of land belonging to the
different agencies. This sped up the application process
significantly”.
Mr Ng considers the Adventure Race cum Carnival a success
and would not hesitate to apply for a Non-Renewable
Temporary Occupation License (NRTOL) for a second year.
He said: “We will definitely apply for NRTOL from SLA
because we are keen to organise more adventure races.”
With his confirmation, we can look forward to more
adrenaline-charged adventure races on State land.
By Margaret Chee
Good news for motorcross enthusiasts!
SLA is evaluating the bids received from an open tender
for a 25,000 sqm site in Tuas West Drive in O1 2007.
This is a three-year tenure with approved uses for
local motorcross racing and training ground for riders.
Motorcross enthusiasts may soon see a pioneer site rev
up on homeground this year! Stay tuned.
Time of their lives at Clifford Pier
A captivating laser light show, the dramatic thunder of a
Japanese ‘Taiko’ drummer, and sharp military-style rap
of a Western snare-drummer. These visual treats wowed
150 guests and media at the Vacheron Constantin-Cortina
Watch event held at the Clifford Pier on 10 November 2006.
Mercury Marketing & Communications Pte Ltd had
organised the event for watch manufacture Vacheron
Constantin (VC) at the State property for their 10th
anniversary celebration of their legendary “Overseas”
Collection, a watch created specifically for those who
travel across continents. Six models made their appearance
with fanfare, wearing the watches. They were styled to
represent four continents – Asia, Europe, Australia and
America.
Said Ms Lynn Sim, director of Mercury Marketing &
Communications Pte Ltd: “The appeal of Clifford Pier lies
in the unique history of the venue. Since 1933 it has been
a landing point for immigrants and travellers from all over
the world, who came to Singapore and contributed to the
success of the nation. As you can see from the theme of
“Overseas” and the rich heritage of the watch brand, there
is no more ideal venue than Clifford Pier. The event’s theme
and usage of Clifford Pier aims to preserve our past with a
new role for the future.”
Ms Sim also added that the party at the pier was meant
to be similar to the ones staged by luxury brands such as
Louis Vuitton in Kuala Lumpur, where they used an old
schoolhouse and created a party for 400 guests, or the IWC
event in Geneva, where they converted an old hangar into
a glamorous party venue for 600 which saw the likes of
Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom in attendance.
Other State properties were also found suitable for
Mercury’s events. For instance, they used the Old
Parliament House in January 2004 for Citibank Ultima.
The Singapore National Museum hosted a private event
for Tiffany & Co. Even the foyer of the Victoria Theatre was
converted into an Arabic souk for the Bankers’ Society of
Bahrain during the IMF meetings in 2006.
If you are thinking of an interesting venue to hold your
next event, why not consider State properties? Visit SLA’s
website at http://www.sla.gov.sg (Rental of State Land) to
download an application form.
By Violetta Wong
Historical appeal of Clifford Pier makes it suitable for the launch of unique
timepieces.
SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY
04
City Hall dressed up with a cause
Those passing by City Hall from February 2007 would have
been captivated by the sight of the historical icon basking in
warm red hues. As part of its pro-community initiative, SLA
is supporting the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) in their
“Go Red For Women” (GRFW) Campaign by allowing the City
Hall building to be lit up in red.
SLA waived the Temporary Occupational Licence (TOL) fee
for the SHF campaign. Red, a colour commonly used to
symbolise women and the heart, was aptly chosen in their
campaign to remind women to take care of their heart
health and increase awareness among local women of
heart diseases.
Director of Corporate Services, Ms Wong Chooi Ling
said: “SLA, as a pro-community organisation, believes in
contributing to worthy causes. We hope that by supporting
the Singapore Heart Foundation’s Go Red For Women
Campaign with the light-up of the City Hall building in
red, more women will be reminded of the dangers of heart
diseases and pay more attention to their heart health.”
The 77-year-old City Hall building was chosen for the
campaign because of its prominence in the city centre.
Chief Executive Officer of SHF, Ms Ho Sun Yee said: “The
City Hall building was chosen because it is one of the most
stately and prominent buildings in Singapore. We were
sure that lighting it up in red would catch the attention of
City Hall aglow in red to help promote women’s heart health.
many and draw their interest to our campaign and join us
in the fight against heart diseases for women.”
SLA also showed its corporate support through appointing
17 Heart Ambassadors to help sell tickets for the SHF
Charity Draw. The campaign was well-received by SLA
staff, resulting in a total of 400 books sold. The GRFW
campaign will last till 17 May 2007. For more information,
please visit www.myheart.org.sg.
By Low Chiew Leng
First State property as boutique business hotel
Former Pearl’s Hill Primary School at 175A Chin Swee Road, a
State property, will soon be given a new lease of life when it
is transformed into a 130-room boutique business hotel by
the end of 2007. This is the first State property tenanted out
by SLA with the niche use as a mid-tier hotel.
SLA awarded the tenancy of the 37-year-old building to
Whitehouse Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vita
Holdings Limited. It is also Vita’s first business venture into
hotel management.
SLA’s Director of Land Operations, Mr Simon Ong said:
“The versatility of our State properties are recently shown
in their adaptive reuse which helps boost sectors in
agri-tainment, education, lifestyle, the arts and now in
hospitality and tourism.”
gross floor area of about 5,800 sqm. The tenure of the lease
is for an initial term of 3 years and is renewable on terms up
to 2016. Rental is $82,178 per month.
Ms Christine Sim, Executive Chairman of Vita, is elated
with this new development. She said: “The heritage state
property presents us with an opportunity to expand our
scope of operations and our property portfolio. Equally
important is the excellent location of the property which is
in the heart of the city and next to the Pearl’s Hill City Park
at a corner of Chinatown.”
The new hotel aims to help meet the target of adding 2,000
hotel rooms here over the next two years. SLA will continue
to work with the relevant agencies to identify more sites in
favourable locations for hotel uses.
Located just three minutes from the heart of the CBD, the
boutique business hotel is poised to provide a balance
of privacy and comfort with a stylish and understated
ambience. There will be F&B and conference/ seminar/
training rooms, surrounding playfields and features like
broadband Internet access, a gym and restaurant. There will
also be a landscape garden with an outdoor refreshment
area. Rooms will be charged at an average of $150 a night.
The hotel will target frequent individual business travellers
while its proximity to Singapore General Hospital gives it
potential to cater to medical tourists as well.
By Wang Hui Ling
Vita will invest S$6 million to refurbish the 12-storey
building, which has an estimated land area of 10,500 sqm,
equivalent to about one and a-quarter football fields, and
The former Pearl’s Hill Primary An artist’s impression of the boutique
School will be transformed into hotel.
a 130-room boutique business
hotel.
A N E W S L E T T E R F O R S L A’ S P A R T N E R S
05
Iconic State properties set to
become ‘the next big thing’
for the East
An artist’s impression of the new spa and holiday getaway, formerly Changi General Hospital.
The former Changi General Hospital (CGH) and East Coast
Resort (ECR) are all set for a transformation into the perfect
getaway destinations for both locals and tourists. With spa,
resort, gaming and even yoga facilities, Singaporeans will
have no lack of choices for weekend getaways, closer to
home.
SLA has awarded the former CGH site to Premium Pacific
Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Bestway Properties Pte Ltd, for an
initial term of three years, renewable up to 2016. The 70year-old State building at Blk 24, 37 & 161 Halton Road will
be transformed into a spa and resort development, with its
rustic charm and architectural structure preserved.
Mr Anthony Tan, Director of Bestway Properties Pte Ltd,
said: “We appreciate heritage buildings and saw the
potential to develop the former Changi General Hospital
site as a getaway for those who are looking for a place to
relax and pamper themselves. Besides targeting the locals,
we also intend to target the foreign budget traveller who
may prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the
city centre, and instead retreat into the laidback tranquillity
of a holiday resort for a weekend getaway, just ten minutes
away from Changi Airport. This suburban concept and
locality has proved to be popular and is replicated in many
parts of the world.”
With a total site area of 12,427 sqm, the site will eventually
house integrated uses ranging from lifestyle to hospitality
such as resort, spa and restaurants with strong flavours of
time-treasured scenic and restful ambience, drawing both
the younger and the older crowds.
And the old CGH is not the only one getting a makeover.
The former East Coast Resort will also undergo major
rejuvenation once works start on the 30-year-old State
property. Goldkist International Pte Ltd, under its
subsidiary Island Resort Pte Ltd, has won tenancy of the
ECR for an initial term of three years, renewable on terms
up to 2015.
SLA’s Director of Land Operations, Mr Simon Ong said: “Our
marketing efforts of the resort paid off as it had evoked
keen interest to take over the property. We are pleased
to have found an enterprising international company
that is realising its venture into hospitality and resort
for recreational lifestyle. Goldkist International’s plans
will inject new life into the resort and create a pleasant
destination for the public to relax and enjoy.”
When the $5 million renovation works are completed, the
resort will house a new clubhouse, spa facilities, gaming
arcades, and sports facilities. Guests can expect to soak in
the sights of a beautiful sunrise from the viewing deck on
the duplex cottages and indulge in the wonders of Nature,
even as they are surrounded by convenient amenities that
will make them feel right at home.
In addition to these to two properties, SLA put up another
State property for public tender at Changi Point in January
2007. The tender for Lorong Bekukong, a wooden kampong
style structure raised on masonry footings located next to
the Changi Point Ferry Terminal closed on 16 February 2007
and received a total of four bids, ranging from $6,000 per
month to $10,888 per month. SLA is currently evaluating
the bids and will announce the winning bidder in May.
Information about the property, and other properties up
for tender for rental, can also be found via SLA’s one-stop
property portal, www.spio.sla.gov.sg.
By Low Chiew Leng
SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY
06
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Public e-consultation: a first by SLA for
surveying and mapping master plan
SLA is seeking public views on its first five-year master
plan (2007 to 2011) through its first public e-consultation.
The purpose? To map out a strategic plan that covers an
integrated survey network, differential GPS positioning
network (also known as SiReNT1 ), a precise leveling
benchmark network and the Geoid Model. It also sets the
directions and priorities for both private and public sectors
in their geospatial initiatives and activities.
Chief Surveyor of Singapore, Mr Soh Kheng Peng said:
“We are looking to draw the inputs and experiences of
the public, planners and professionals in achieving a
world-class surveying and mapping infrastructure system
in Singapore, with technological advancements and
paradigm shifts.”
This is SLA’s first public e-consultation since its formation
in June 2001. SLA hopes that everyone who has a stake in
positioning in Singapore would be able to reap the benefits
of the surveying and mapping infrastructure system for
economic and social benefits.
The desired outcome is to provide better survey and
mapping reference services and put in place a reliable,
trusted and real-time reference network infrastructure
which can be used in cadastral, engineering, topographical
survey, aerial mapping and geographical information
systems applications, as well as new types of day-to-day
1 Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network or SiReNT, launched by SLA in
September 2006, uses reference stations to improve the accuracy of positions acquired
using GPS technology. It is physically represented by five GPS reference stations
strategically located throughout the island and provides many new opportunities to
users for various geospatial applications.
positioning applications which will enhance overall quality
of life, such as in:
•
•
•
•
•
location based services;
structural monitoring;
marine applications and hydrographical surveys;
land transportation in road management, real-time
fleet tracking and monitoring, in-vehicle navigation,
vehicle theft protection, taxi booking and dispatching
system; and
law enforcement and security services; incident
management; emergency and rescue services.
The strategy map lists strategies to achieve the above
goals, including reviewing existing data policies and to
carry out market-demand and feasibility studies. In terms
of technology, SLA intends to move into SiReNT and
use new technology such as SMS for the dissemination
of information on control markers and 3G wireless
technology for collecting and disseminating geospatial
information. There will also be more training, collaboration
and knowledge-sharing with the private sector.
SLA has invited MPA, HDB, JTC, LTA, Mindef, DSTA, Land
Surveyors Board, Singapore Institute of Surveyors and
Valuers, NTU and NUS to participate in the survey.
Members of the public who have feedback on the proposed
goals and strategies outlined in the paper can go to the
REACH public e-consultation website www.reach.gov.sg or
visit SLA’s main website www.sla.gov.sg from 5 March to
11.59 pm 30 April 2007.
By Susan Koh
SLA partners EnterpriseOne
Having tea with
to serve businesses better
registered surveyors
To foster better working relationships with
registered surveyors, SLA held its quarterly Meetthe-Surveyors session in March 2007. Fifty-three of
them turned up for the session, which also serves
as an avenue for SLA to obtain feedback on how to
improve its services and make their work easier.
Surveyors having tea with
SLA officials.
Surveyors were given the
latest update on SLA’s
circular s and invited
to air their views. This
pro-business initiative
was welcomed by the
regis tered sur veyor s,
many of whom felt that
it was a good learning
experience and an
excellent opportunity to
share ideas.
By Richard Ho
SLA has been a working partner
of the EnterpriseOne portal
with the Ministry of Trade and
Industry since February 2006.
As part of SLA’s pro-enterprise
efforts, we have upgraded the
website (http://www.business.
gov.sg), in July 2006.
EnterpriseOne (One Network for Enterprises) is an initiative
managed by SPRING Singapore, with the aim of helping local smalland medium-size enterprises find the answers they need to start,
sustain and grow their businesses. The enhanced EnterpriseOne
portal is a product of the over 500 responses gathered by the
EnterpriseOne team via surveys, focus groups and one-on-one
usability tests to understand the needs of local enterprises.
SLA ensures that content and contact information is always
up-to-date on the website. It also holds a quarterly audit review
of the portal with SPRING and handles queries of escalating
complexity, working hand-in-hand with 34 other partners, of
which 29 are government agencies.
By Wang Hui Ling
A N E W S L E T T E R F O R S L A’ S P A R T N E R S
New guidelines
for stamping
business identity
on State buildings
The practice of issuing a TOL and charging TOL fees (based
on advertisement rates) for affixing signs on the façade of
tenanted State buildings will be changed to help tenants and
subtenants of State properties lower business costs.
SLA has been receiving more requests to rename the State
properties too. The new guidelines, which take effect
immediately, state that there will be no charge for naming
rights for users such as hospitals, educational institutions,
clubs, hotels and student hostels; the rationale being it is a
pre-requisite for such tenants to function effectively. This
is applicable only for master tenants, subject to SLA and the
Street & Building Names Board’s (SBNB) approval.
BOU
07
UETS
Mr Foo Kee Yong, a Senior Executive with
SLA, worked way beyond normal office
hours to help clear fallen trees caused by a
landslide that had occurred behind Furama
RiverFront Hotel in December 2006.
Kee Yong and his colleagues had rushed there upon the
hotel manager’s request. Although no one was hurt,
the fallen trees were blocking the hotel’s fire engine
access and posed a potential safety hazard to its guests.
Kee Yong contacted a contractor to clear the trees. This
was even though it was dark and raining heavily. The
clearance work finally ended at 11pm.
Although he had to sacrifice his evening, a satisfied Kee
Yong said: “I felt satisfied that, together with the effort
from my colleagues and contractors, we could help him
(the manager) to resolve the matter and not put him
in a difficult position. The manager later sent an sms
message thanking us for SLA’s efforts.”
By Violetta Wong
Working in tandem with the Building and Construction
Authority, SLA shall assess applications based on the
following guidelines:
• For banners on events and activities held within the building
or held off-site, and display of awards won by the tenants or
subtenants, no TOL fees shall be imposed if the area covered
by the sponsor’s logo is no more than 15 percent of the
banner’s area.
• To encourage commercial philanthropy to Institutions of a
Public Character (IPCs) and registered charities, no TOL fee
shall be imposed for signs bearing the name of sponsor on
any State building rented by them.
• Some tenants require commercial sponsorship to run their
programmes, so SLA may allow the use of such sponsor’s
name for publicity purposes, and will not impose a TOL fee
as long as SBNB has not required official registraation of the
name of the sponsor.
• TOL fee shall be imposed, based on standard advertisement
rates, for master tenants and subtenants who put up signs
and banners purely for advertisement purposes.
Red Dot Traffic – housed in State property on 28 Maxwell Road is home to
creative companies such as advertising agencies, schools and design studios.
SLA Deputy Director (Land Lease Private), Mr Teo Cher Hian
said: “The new guidelines respond to the call for businesses
out there to own some unique sense of identity, while still
recognising that the ownership of the buildings belongs to
the State. Their creativity adds a welcome buzz, colour and
character to our State buildings.”
By Tham Yi Hua
SLA and AUSBE seal executive representation
Another milestone towards harmonious managementunion relations was reached on 26 February 2007 when
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Executive
Representation was signed bet ween SL A and the
Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees’ Union
(AUSBE).
The MOU allows for representation by
the union for senior staff who are at
Job Grade E4 (Senior Executive) and E5/
E5 PTH (Principal Executive), with the
exception of a small number of Special
Category (confidential) employees. As
provided under the Industrial Relations
Act, representation for this category is
limited to the following four areas:
(a) Retrenchment benefit
(b) Dismissal
(c) Victimisation and serious disciplinary action with a
view to dismissal
(d) Breach of individual contracts of employment.
With this MOU, the management looks forward to an even
better partnership with the union.
By Lim Ming Zhu
Chief Executive Lam Joon Khoi (centre) and Director Corporate Services Wong Chooi Ling with AUSBE
officials and Branch Committee Members.
08
Top Indian Management School
set up dream campus in Singapore
We’ve all walked through schools and the usual classrooms.
At some point in time, most students if not all must have
wondered: “Wouldn’t it be nice if lessons were taught in a
beautiful park instead of the standard classrooms?” S. P. Jain
Center of Management in Singapore is exactly such a unique
education center, located amidst lush greenery, conducive
for concentrated study.
The building that used to house the
former Institute of Dental Health
dates back to the 1930s.
One of the top business schools in Asia took up tenancy at
the former Institute of Dental Health (IDH), off Alexandra
Road since early last year. Since then, the sprawling 28,000
sqm site has been transformed into a trendy, high-tech
building that many would envy.
The pre-war structure dates back to the 1930s and some
restoration works on its neo-classical style blocks were
done. According to Ms Mumtaj Begam, Administration
Manager of S. P. Jain Center of Management, the school
virtually recreated everything inside so much so that the
six-storey building is today one of the most modern and
hi-tech campuses in Singapore.
President of S. P. Jain Center of Management, Mr Nitish Jain
said: “The new Center for Executive Education is a declared
heritage building and now looks like a Colonial Club in its
heydays. The open air classroom is one of a kind with the
open air feel and all modern gadgetry neatly concealed. The
whole premise is tastefully done to provide a picturesque
backdrop for serious study.”
Mr Jain added: ”We have taken very special efforts to
restore the heritage building to its grand period finishes.
This building will be used by us for conducting executive
education programs. There has been a great emphasis on
detail.”
Naturally, many students fell in love with the campus
on their first day of school and are reluctant to leave the
“dream” campus, by any standard.
What drew S. P. Jain to the former Institute of Dental
Health was its spaciousness and central location. Under
the Global Schoolhouse initiative, SLA and the Economic
Development Board brought the international institution
to a choice location for their third global campus (the
S. P. Jain has transformed the former IDH to the current “dream” campus that
their students appreciate greatly.
other two being in Dubai and Mumbai). “After seeing
many properties in Singapore, the former IDH was perfect.
The location is central, with nice big areas to walk around
and most importantly it had big areas without columns,
which made it possible to have our large auditorium style
classrooms,” said Mr Jain.
He thanked SLA for being helpful in the entire tendering
process and commended the staff for doing all they could
to facilitate rental. “They were very service oriented,
helpful, efficient and extremely organised. They patiently
showed us a large number of properties and our experience
of coming to Singapore has been very pleasant.”
Having exceeded his five-year enrolment target for the
Center, Mr Jain hoped to work with SLA again for a possible
second school located in a picturesque environment which
more students can look forward to.
By Margaret Chee