But when her parents' travel agency business in Bombay got hit by the downturn, they sent her to Singapore instead to study at a private school here for a British degree at a third of the price.

Her father Mr Anthony Joseph, 44, who was here recently to scout for a private school, said: 'I will not sacrifice my daughter's education and Singapore is a good alternative. She will still come back with a British university degree. She will be safe and I will get to visit her more often.'

It is reasoning like this that has kept Singapore's education hub ambitions on track, despite the cooling international student market worldwide.

Although the economy is down, foreign student arrivals here are up.

For the full report, read Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.