The UWA-HCI Collaboration

In March 2000, The University of Western Australia (UWA), and Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to collaborate on a number of educational initiatives.

The first of these is the delivery of The University of Western Australia's Master of Education degree, by the Graduate School of Education to the staff of Hwa Chong Institution in Singapore. This programme is organised to fit in with, and contribute to, the developing research culture at Hwa Chong Institution.

The objectives of this Master of Education programme at HCI are:

• to upgrade and enhance the knowledge of Hwa Chong Institution staff about research and its methodologies
• to develop the research supervision skills of Hwa Chong Institution staff
• to bring together advanced theory and practice in education through the coursework and projects of the programme
• to apply the knowledge developed in the courses to projects of practical and professional significance to Hwa Chong Institution
• to prepare participants in the programme for doctoral studies in education.

In December 2004, UWA and HCI set yet another milestone in education innovation by offering the Doctor of Education degree on campus at Hwa Chong Institution.

The Doctor of Education (EdD) provides an advanced course of study at the doctoral level which, like the traditional PhD degree is research based, but which is also concerned with the application of advanced knowledge to questions of professional practice. The Doctor of Education is designed to cater to the needs of professionals who wish to undertake doctoral level study so as to expand their theoretical bases for practise, to consider current ideas and issues, and to address problems of practical implementation in education.

Participants are encouraged to take up research questions that are germane to their current or projected career interests. Research studies conducted for the programme can make a contribution to policy, management and professional practise in education.

In 2016, after 14 MEd cohorts, HCI transferred the programme to the Academy of Principals, Singapore (APS). APS will continue with the programme at its premises from 2018 onwards.