The Singaporean higher education market faces significant transformations and challenges in 2025. Part of the transformation has been the investment of the Singaporean government to position Singapore as an education hub, with a particular focus on research and innovation. As an educational hub for the region, Singapore appeals to many international students. There is also an increasing emphasis on inter-Asian student mobility, with students progressively seeking more affordable educational options closer to home.
Other factors shaping the higher education landscape include transformations and challenges stemming from technological advances, the globalisation of education, changing student expectations, and evolving workforce demands. These transformations and challenges require academic institutions to adopt innovative strategies to stay competitive and relevant in the years ahead.
This article explores three emerging trends and their impact on academic institutions, including TMC Academy, and how they are adapting to meet the contemporary challenges and opportunities that are arising.
Emerging trends in technology and AI
The adoption of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies is revolutionising students’ educational experiences by providing more immersive and interactive learning environments. These technologies allow students to gain hands-on experience in subjects that are either too complex or too abstract to grasp through traditional educational methods. With Singapore’s Ministry of Education’s push towards ‘future-ready’ learning, it is forecasted there will be a significant uptake in educational VT and AR applications.
AI is also revolutionising higher education by providing personalised learning experiences that enhance student outcomes. Institutions use AI to streamline administrative tasks such as addressing student inquiries, facilitating course registrations, and offering academic advice. This boosts operational efficiency and raises students' satisfaction by ensuring their queries are answered promptly.
AI tutors and chatbots deliver real-time academic support and assist students in effectively navigating their learning pathways. Another significant change resulting from the increased use of AI is the transition towards mentoring and facilitation, as opposed to traditional lecturing.
The impact of technology and the rise of borderless and international education
Due to the rise of technology in education, increased online learning enables students to access education from global institutions, resulting in more joint degree programs, virtual study abroad experiences, and transnational collaborations.
In light of this shift towards a more global focus, academic institutions emphasise fostering collaborations across borders to provide greater academic opportunities for students. Associated with this emphasis is the growing demand for cultural competency and multilingual learning resources.
Recognising this trend, TMC Academy has established several collaborations and joint partnerships with other academic institutions to enhance students' educational opportunities. Notable partnerships include:
University of Northampton (UON), United Kingdom: Since 2016, TMC Academy has partnered with UON to offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These include top-up degrees in Business and Management, Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production, International Logistics and Trade Finance, International Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Marketing Management, as well as full degrees in Accounting and Finance, Psychology, Software Engineering, and various MBA programs.
Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), Switzerland: In 2017, TMC Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SHMS. This agreement allows students from TMC's undergraduate hospitality program to complete their final year at SHMS's Leysin campus in Switzerland, followed by a four to six-month internship. Graduates receive a dual award: a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Hospitality & Events Management from SHMS and the University of Derby (UK).
Shenyang Urban Construction University, China: TMC Academy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shenyang Urban Construction University to foster academic collaboration. This partnership includes student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, and other collaborative initiatives.
IGLOBAL Academy, Malaysia: TMC Academy has launched an academic partnership with IGLOBAL Academy in Malaysia. This collaboration aims to enhance educational offerings and provide students with broader learning opportunities.
These partnerships reflect TMC Academy's commitment to providing quality and value-added educational courses and services to local and international students.
The challenges of technology and AI
Academic institutions face challenges with technology and AI's increased use and benefits. They must navigate ethical and data privacy issues concerning data security. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that AI algorithms do not introduce bias in admissions, student grading, and personalised learning recommendations.
With the rise of digital platforms, student and faculty data can become prime targets for cyberattacks or data breaches that expose academic and personal information. This highlights the need for academic institutions to invest in and prioritise cybersecurity measures and conduct regular audits to ensure data safety.
Another challenge is ensuring that a digital divide is not created and that all students can access technology and AI to assist with their learning and education. Students from lower-income backgrounds may struggle to access devices or stable internet connections, while mature-age students may struggle with digital literacy. Ensuring all students have access to technology and sufficient digital literacy to use AI effectively can be challenging for academic institutions.
Emerging trends in student well-being
Student well-being is at the forefront of higher education's most significant challenge in 2025. Over 60% of college students report experiencing loneliness, which significantly impacts their mental health. The increased sense of loneliness can be one of the side effects of an increased emphasis on digital learning. While digital learning is convenient, it can weaken peer support networks, which increases the sense of isolation for some students.
Furthermore, students are experiencing heightened stress due to financial concerns, academic pressures, job competition, and socio-political challenges. Four out of five students indicate that stress adversely impacts their ability to focus, learn, and perform academically.
Consequently, academic institutions increasingly recognise and emphasise the importance of student well-being. They establish comprehensive mental health programs, wellness initiatives, and support services to foster a more supportive campus environment. By prioritising well-being, institutions aim to boost student engagement, academic performance, and overall satisfaction.
TMC Academy recognises the importance of supporting the well-being of students and supports students in several ways. For example,
These supports are invaluable to international students who may be away from their homes for the first time and having challenges settling into Singapore and navigating a different culture while adjusting to studying.
Emerging trends - strengthening Industry Partnerships
As the job market shifts and develops, educational institutions must enhance partnerships with industry stakeholders to connect academic theory with real-world applications. These partnerships are essential for tackling the skills gap and ensuring educational programs align with workforce needs.
Singapore launched the SkillsFuture Movement in 2015, implementing a data-driven approach to building a skills-first economy. This initiative emphasises skills over traditional qualifications, aiming to align workforce capabilities with industry needs better and facilitate upskilling.
Many technical industries are still grappling with a persistent skills gap, where employer demands for specialised expertise outstrip the capabilities of job candidates. This situation has led to micro-credentials, industry certifications, and competency-based learning models as students pursue flexible, stackable qualifications to boost their employability.
Consequently, academic institutions must adapt by incorporating work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities and consistently updating curricula to align with industry requirements.
By cultivating stronger industry partnerships and emphasising experiential learning, educational institutions can better equip graduates for the rapidly evolving job market, ensuring workforce readiness and long-term career success.
TMA Academy has consistently recognised the importance of having strong links with industry and has developed and collaborated with Industry Boards since 2012. These Boards fulfil TMC’s mission of “delivering future-ready and industry-relevant courses.”
The TMC Industry Advisory Board oversees the evaluation of the TMC curriculum to guarantee its relevance to the industry. The Board also provides guidance to TMC regarding industry attachments and suitable job placement opportunities for TMC students. They keep track of current industry practices, future trends, changes in the regulatory framework, and networking opportunities for the Academy and its students.
Through the Industry Advisory Board, TMC Academy is dedicated to bolstering industry partnerships and enriching experiential learning to prepare students with the competencies needed to thrive in a competitive job market.
TMC Academy has been and continues to be, responsive to the emerging trends in higher education as we move towards 2025. In addressing the trends and challenges that arise in a changing sector, the staff at TMC are steadfast in their commitment to the academy's mission, which is to offer future-ready and industry-relevant courses that equip students with the skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving work environment.
Visit the TMC website for further information here.
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