Four schools that are nurturing global graduates for the future of work

23 Oct 2019

The future of work is uncertain. Technological advancements continue to evolve, serving as a double-edged sword that has both the ability to destroy and create. While the World Economic Forum (WEF) notes that many jobs are vulnerable to automation, McKinsey & Co says that technology will also create new jobs and income possibilities.

For today’s youth to not only survive but thrive in the 21^st century, they must look beyond equipping themselves with traditional skills such as academic know-how, and seek experiences that help them become global graduates. It’s crucial that parents seeking the right school for their child to widen their perspectives and select one that not only focuses on academic rigour, but also the holistic development of students.

This includes ensuring students have access to technology, know how to use it wisely, and have wide exposure to co-curricular activities to develop their skill set and nurture their talents to help them thrive at university and beyond. The skills gained both in and outside of the classroom arms them with the knowledge and skills needed to keep up with the changes of the modern world and prepare them to compete in the globalised economy, regardless of where they are in the world.

Asia is home to many leading schools that prepare students to become global graduates who are ready to tackle the challenges that come with the future of work. Here are four worth considering:

ALCANTA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE – (AIC) CHINA

AIC is a unique school that prepares students to become lifelong learners, ready for a world of options upon graduation. Established in 2011, the school draws its inspiration from the IB philosophy, encouraging students to enquire, to remain open-minded as they live among a diverse student body, to care for one another, and to maintain balance in their lives.

Source: Alcanta International College

AIC is an IB World School in the Nansha District of Guangzhou city, China. It runs the IB Diploma for senior students, a qualification that’s recognised by universities worldwide. This is in addition to its 4-year pre-diploma programme that blends the school’s needs with ideas borrowed from a diverse international curriculum.

Despite following the IB Diploma, AIC places special emphasis on Chinese language and culture, as well as international mindedness to help students embrace global citizenship. Small class sizes and an intimate learning environment helps students identify their strengths and areas for growth.

Through rigorous academic and robust CAS programmes, AIC encourages students to explore universal issues, promoting their understanding of themselves and the world around them, in addition to building their linguistic, analytical, creative and communicative skills.

With some 22 nationalities represented on-campus, AIC opens the door to a powerful international education experience. As a testament to its prowess, 82 percent of students last year were accepted in the top 50 QS-ranked universities.

AIC offers scholarships to exceptional students who demonstrate high potential and abilities, as well as leadership skills. Fifteen international students can obtain 100 percent funding for the academic year, renewable for the remaining duration of the student’s enrollment at AIC and subject to annual review.

ANDREWS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BANGKOK – THAILAND

This British international school is a non-selective in terms academic ability, allowing them to support students regardless of their academic and mainstream learning abilities. Becoming a student at the school means studying in a diverse student body, with over 50 nationalities represented on-campus.

Source: Andrews International School Thailand

St. Andrews is accredited by and affiliated with several highly respected international and regional bodies. It has full international accreditation from the Education Development Trust, a UK-based provider of accreditation services, INSET and educational programmes to schools in the UK and abroad, to name a few. It has also held the British School Overseas Award since 2012, which means the standards seen across the school is equivalent to those found in UK independent schools.

St. Andrews prides itself on its unique collaborations, including with renowned higher education institutions like The Juilliard School and the MIT Collaboration, which allows them to access performing arts and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subject specialists, and unique curricula devised by experts.

Despite its location in Bangkok, the school has access to a wide range of opportunities to collaborate with students from schools around the world through its Global Campus. It offers global competitions, expeditions and online interactions with students from other parts of the world to broaden the school experience for students and teachers.

Learners here historically enjoy lasting academic success. The average IB score was 33.1 points, impressive when compared to the global average of 29.8; for the IGCSE, 90.2 percent of students’ grades were A* to C – significantly higher than the UK average of 66.9 percent; while in terms of A levels, 67 percent of students achieved A*/B scores.

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SISHK) – HONG KONG

SISHK was established in 1991, offering Singapore-style, through-train education programme from preparatory years to pre-university levels. It’s a non-selective and inclusive school; many students join in their preparatory years and stay on to complete their IB Diploma Programme with outstanding results. SISHK has over 1,500 students in the school with 20 nationalities represented.

Source: Singapore International School Hong Kong

The curriculum is unique and emphasises the development of an international outlook among students, as well as the cultivation of sound values and character, and the acquisition of 21^st century skills and knowledge in a bilingual environment. The school also prides itself on laying strong foundations in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and values among students, who are also encouraged to go beyond the classroom and apply their learning to real-world contexts.

Many of our alumni have gone on to study or are graduates of prestigious universities around the world.

About 70 percent of the grades consistently achieved in the IGCSE examinations are As or A*s, while graduates of the IB Diploma Programme have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Duke University, Yale University, the National University of Singapore and the University of Hong Kong, to name a few.

Teachers here come from all corners of the world, with some seconded from Singapore’s MOE.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF KUALA LUMPUR (ISKL) – MALAYSIA

Located in bustling Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ISKL is an IB World School that’s responsible for the learning journey of over 1,700 students aged three to 18 years from over 65 countries.

Source: International School of Kuala Lumpur

In addition to the full IBDP, students have the chance to combine individual IB, Advanced Placement and High School Diploma courses to create a customised programme tailored to their abilities, interests and aspirations. The school is also proud of its academic prowess – for instance, the graduating class of 2019 received more than 400 acceptances from over 200 universities in 14 countries spanning four continents.

The school is accredited internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS), and in the US through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ISKL has a strong focus on service and sustainability across its divisions and is a member of the Eco-Schools organization and the Green Schools Alliance.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International