In last October, I sat down to write the white paper: Nanyang University On Internet – Dream or Reality. The Chapter on implementation was not written because a commitment at such an early stage would impede flexibility.

In the last six months, I received responses and suggestions from many friends and alumni of Nanyang University. As a result, I have a clearer concept on the approach to set up Internet Nanyang University more effectively.

The following is the summary of various suggestions:

1. The plan of Internet Nanyang University is basically workable. But we have to proceed slowly without over stretching our resources.

2. The Nanyang University at Yun Nan Yuan campus completed its historical mission. Whether it was closed or transformed is now immaterial. Since the University is now history, we need to look pass rather than looking back and mourn. The success of Internet Nanyang University is judged by its contribution to the society, the country and the world.

3. It is hard to predict the success or failure of an Internet University. Therefore it is better not to use the name of Nanyang University until a success is assured.

4. Compared with the normal type of education, Internet education is more flexible. In the Internet world, there is no shortage of parties to form strategic alliances. By forming alliances or consortiums, Internet Nanyang University is able to do a lot more with relatively little outlay. It would focus on the courses that it can do best and gradually extend the scope. For those courses that it is not able to develop, it can operate by forming strategic alliance with other Internet Universities to offer the courses for mutual benefits.

5. Internet Nanyang University may cooperate with other universities and colleges. Because of the history of Nanyang University, it would be natural Internet Nanyang University to emphasize on the cooperation with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and the National University of Singapore. It may extend the cooperation to the three Malaysian colleges operating in the same spirit as Nanyang university.

These suggestions are sound and constructive. Therefore, Internet Nanyang University will develop its strategy of implementation based on these suggestions.

When Nanyang University had its campus at Yun Nan Yuan in Singapore, it had four faculties: Arts, Sciences, Commerce and Research. By not over stretching our resources, we would slowly set up small scale Internet universities along the areas of trust of these four faculties. Then send those which make it to the Internet consortium and invite the participation of other Internet universities.

The first stage of our proposed Internet universities is based on the ideal of Academy defined by Plato, the great ancient philosopher. We would operate on Internet creating the type of environ for knowledge seekers to have the feeling of being in a campus, study in a cultural atmosphere and participate in forums on Internet. Plato’s Academy used dialogues to replace class teaching. Hence a forum has its root way back to ancient Greek more than 2000 years ago.

Dr Ven Yee Foo single handedly took the lead to set up Nanyang Bailudong University on Internet with a web site http://www.bailudong.com. Bailudong uses Confucianism as mainstream, gradually extends to include other humanity subjects such as philosophy, literature, history, fine arts and music. This bold experiment is an important milestone leading to the eventual setting up of Internet Nanyang University.

The curtain of Internet Nanyang University now starts to unfold. We would very much appreciate the continual supports from the alumni and friends of Nanyang University as well as the people over the world who feel a strong concern for culture and education. This is because Internet Nanyang University has its origin from the ideal of people’s university. Internet Nanyang Unviersity belongs to all of you; it belongs to the world!

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