Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) expanded students’ perspectives on international study opportunities through the Study Abroad Information Session: Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) & University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Under the theme “Discover Opportunities to Study in Singapore,” the session introduced students to new possibilities in higher education, particularly in art, design, media, and the creative industries.
The session at Hall Harvard was attended by Grade 11 and 12 female students from the Overseas Study Program (LN). Meanwhile, at TICH, the session involved Grade 10, 11, and 12 male students from both the Overseas Study Program (LN) and Domestic Study Program (DN).
NAFA is one of Singapore’s pioneering and largest arts education institutions. It offers diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across Art & Design, Performing Arts, and Interdisciplinary Practices, with a learning approach strongly connected to professional practice, industry, and Southeast Asian perspectives.
Founded in 1938, NAFA also provides students with global experiences through exchange programs, overseas immersion, international placements, and collaborations with higher education partners around the world. Its academic portfolio covers fine art, design, media, fashion, music, dance, theatre, and arts management.
Meanwhile, the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) is Singapore’s first university dedicated to the arts, established through an alliance between NAFA and LASALLE College of the Arts. UAS is designed to develop artists, designers, educators, researchers, arts leaders, and changemakers through a combination of education, creative practice, research, and strong connections with communities and industries.
Information about study opportunities was presented directly by Mr. Kevin Koay from the UAS International Student Recruitment Outreach Team. Representing Thursina IIBS were Chief of Thursina International Office (TIO), Ustaz Qoirul Mansur Darojad, M.Pd., and Manager of Inter University Enrollment, Ustazah Gita Afriani Putri, B.A.
During the session, students gained an overview of available programs, learning environments, and opportunities to develop their skills within Singapore’s arts education ecosystem. This information was particularly valuable for students who are beginning to explore suitable majors and universities based on their interests, personal strengths, and future career goals.
Ustaz Qoirul explained that Thursina’s guidance for further study is not limited to one particular academic field. Students need exposure to a wide range of disciplines so that their higher education decisions are based on a deeper understanding of their own potential.
“We want students to understand that international study pathways are very broad. They are not limited to fields that are already widely popular, but also include art, design, media, and the creative industries, which offer growing opportunities at the global level. Exposure like this helps students see their future possibilities more completely,” said Ustaz Qoirul.
The session also reflected the Open-Minded value within Thursina IIBS’s RECODING Values. Students were encouraged to broaden their horizons, explore disciplines that may still be unfamiliar to them, and see higher education as a space to discover the role and contribution they can offer in the future.
Through the Study Abroad Information Session, Thursina IIBS continues to strengthen its guidance for further study beyond simply providing a list of universities. The school also helps students understand and evaluate global opportunities more critically.
By introducing a wider range of educational pathways, Thursina students are expected to make informed decisions about their academic future based on their potential, passion, and the contribution they hope to make within the global community.
