It did not make sense for universities in a small country like Singapore to act like silos, isolated from one another, he said.

If students from one university could take courses in another university, the tertiary institutions could then develop their strengths.

Replying to a question from Nominated MP Kalyani Mehta, he said: 'I'd like to see a crossing over where students, even faculty, can take courses in different campuses where there's one stronger, the other not.'

Associate Professor Mehta, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore, had asked if students at the fourth university could enrol at the other three universities for courses not available at the new campus.

The new university, which will open in 2011, will emphasise design, engineering, architecture and business, and on working with industry.

It will also take a cross-disciplinary approach, which Dr Ng hoped would produce better thinkers and leaders who are 'more compassionate, more well-rounded in their views'.

Dr Ng also gave an update on the progress of the university's partnership discussions.

He had met the presidents of two leading Chinese universities last December, he said. Committees have been formed to evaluate the proposal for a future link-up with the Singapore university. The presidents will also be coming to Singapore in the next few months for further talks.

Dr Ng said: 'It is a significant challenge to make this work but, if done well, will benefit the institutions and their students and faculty immensely.'

He did not indicate if there was similar progress in talks with American universities which Singapore is hoping to tie up with.