Proposal "Prolem Statement, Purpose Statement and Benefits" Draft #2

3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Despite radio broadcasting being an important and influential form of mass media, FASS in NUS does not offer specialised related modules. The CNM Department places more emphasis on new media, but what about the conventional media like radio? Moreover, the communication modules currently offered does not seem to prepare undergraduates for this radio broadcasting particular workplace. If changes were to take place, the exact needs of the industry have to be determined in order for effective improvements to take place. Therefore, we hope to identify the oral communication skills required in the industry.

4.0 PURPOSE STATEMENT

In this proposal, we hope to convince NUSEU that it would be beneficial to allow our team to go ahead with our needs analysis on the radio broadcasting industry and use the findings to propose appropriate changes to the NUS curriculum. We hope that the improvements would make NUS students a place for effective education that meets the demands of the radio broadcasting workplace.

5.0 BENEFITS

Interested NUS undergraduates, NUS and also the radio broadcasting industry will benefit greatly from a needs analysis research conducted in the workplace, as the objectives and benefits of the research are as listed below:

• Increase the competitiveness of NUS

Venturing into an area of education that Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been very experienced in could be risky. However it is also a chance to challenge their expertise in this area. In addition to that, it would also enhance NUS’s competitiveness because the plan will allow NUS to offer what other universities can offer.

• Become the key institution in Singapore’s Education Hub (Teo, 2004)

This research would also be in sync with Singapore’s plan to become an education hub in the region. While Singapore hopes to achieve this plan, NUS should be striving to become the key institution where foreign students seek their tertiary education from. Hence, it should have an extensive curriculum that is able to cater to all sorts of student applicants.

• Show concern on the welfare and future of NUS students

Firstly, conducting a needs analysis will reflect on the determination to create a conducive environment for education in NUS, which will in turn greatly benefit the students. Such initiative is able to create a stronger sense of belonging towards the institution. A plan that caters specifically for employment of the students would show students that the institution truly cares about them.

• Create higher employment rates among NUS undergraduates

This research and further follow-up plan would raise the competitive edge of NUS. If effectively implemented, higher employment rates of our graduates would ensure that we can be on par with other institutions such as Singapore Management University (SMU), which high percentages of graduates getting employed within six months after graduation.

• Venture into a new era of change

As mentioned earlier, radio broadcasting is an industry that is entering a new era of change. It is an appropriate time to venture into this industry and train skilled professionals who would be highly sought after for employment. Our graduates will also be up to date with the new developments in the broadcasting scene.