SEMESTER'S END: The deserted campus of the UNSW Asia yesterday. The fate of a site at Changi meant for a new campus remains unresolved. -- STEPHANIE YEOW

As of yesterday, 24 UNSW Asia students had received offers from the three local universities and 17 have taken them up.

Another 142 students are heading for UNSW's Sydney campus.

In all, the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) made 29 offers.

Some students, such as Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate Serene Goh, 21, received offers from more than one university.

Ms Goh, who gave up a place at NUS to enrol in UNSW Asia after it gave her a scholarship, had offers from all the local universities. She has chosen to study business management at SMU.

She said: 'I wasn't mentally prepared to go over. It's not easy to move to Sydney in such a short time.'

A statement issued jointly by the three universities and the Ministry of Education yesterday said all applications were considered on 'a case-by-case basis'.

There are 148 students enrolled in the first semester at UNSW Asia, plus at least 57 who had accepted offers for the second semester. The three universities received more than 330 applications from students.

Private schools here have also offered places to the affected students. Singapore Institute of Management and PSB Academy have each offered about 20 places, while the Singapore branch of Australia's James Cook University has given out 15 places.

The Management Development Institute of Singapore has accepted four students from UNSW Asia.

It is not clear at this time, if every affected UNSW Asia not heading to Sydney student has found a place in a local institution.

But some Sydney-bound students expressed unhappiness with the scholarship offer - S$22,000 per year for Singapore students and S$12,000 for foreign ones - as the money will be paid out in Singapore dollars rather than the stronger Australian currency.

Others were unhappy that the scholarship is tied to 'good academic standing', meaning students have to pass at least half the courses taken each semester.

This was not mentioned by university staff earlier, said students.

On the other hand, the future of the 47 academic staff is still largely uncertain. The Straits Times understands only a handful have joined UNSW Sydney, while only two have found jobs with Singapore universities.

Most are still searching for teaching positions.

One lecturer, who spoke to The Straits Times on condition of anonymity, said he has inquired at NTU and NUS as well as overseas but they did not have vacancies for the course he teaches.

'I've spent a fair amount of time hunting for a job and updating my CV.

'Many people are pursuing different options, but the usual lead time it takes for academics to get a job ranges from six months to a year,' he said.

Another lecturer is looking to find a job locally because of financial commitments already made. These include a down payment to buy a house paid after signing a contract with UNSW.

'The place will be ready only next year and I cannot sell it for the next three years. So I have to look for a job here, and soon,' said the lecturer.

A group of 38 lecturers who have sought legal advice, are asking the school to give them a 'fair' compensation package. They are still waiting for a reply from the university.

Also unresolved is the matter of the grant which the Economic Development Board has given to UNSW, and what will happen to the Changi site meant for its new campus.

Earlier this year, piling began for the first phase of construction on the 3.5ha plot leased from Jurong Town Corporation (JTC).

About 150 steel and concrete piles have been driven into the ground. Under typical lease agreements, UNSW has to return the land 'to JTC's satisfaction' - which industry experts believe will cost it $10 million.

A JTC spokesman said: 'For the terms of termination, we are still in discussions with UNSW.'

hoaili@sph.com.sg

janeng@sph.com.sg