SINGAPORE - A new master's programme launched by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy will give students an understanding of global affairs through an Asian perspective.

The two-year Master in International Affairs, with its Asia-focused curriculum, will offer fresh insights on contemporary issues such as dealing with terrorism, and global cooperation on issues such as climate change.

The school will receive the programme's first intake of 30 students next year.

The school's dean Kishore Mahbubani introduced the new programme at the school's 12th anniversary event on Friday (Sept 02).

"Most young people today understand that we live in a small and interdependent world. Instinctively, they aspire to be global citizens. They also know that the 21st century will be the Asian century," Prof Mahbubani said.

"No school is better placed to explain Asian perspectives. We therefore offer a unique educational opportunity for future world leaders."

The total cost for the programme, where students will take on modules such as international political economy, global governance, foreign policy analysis and international security, will cost $58,000.

The anniversary celebration at the school in Bukit Timah was attended by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, an alumnus of the school. In his closing address, Mr Tan urged public policy schools such as the LKY School to continue playing a significant role in shaping future leaders and public servants.

Since 2004, the LKY School has trained more than 2,350 leaders from a diverse student body representing over 80 countries. These students have gone on to work at organisations such as the United Nations, Asian Development Bank and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.