Straits Times 30 Mar 10;
THE National University of Singapore (NUS) is keeping a watchful eye on plans for Singapore's own natural history museum, to be situated at the heart of the new University Town in about three years.
The assurance came from deputy president of academic affairs and provost Tan Eng Chye yesterday, after The Straits Times reported last Saturday that these plans, currently helmed by the NUS' department of biological sciences, are facing a funding shortfall of at least $24 million.
If the team cannot raise the amount by June, it might have to look for a new site. Construction of the 6,000 to 8,000 sq m building, which will store, study and exhibit Singapore's oldest natural history collection of animals - 500,000 specimens in all - is scheduled to start in June.
But even if the deadline lapses, there will still be other sites within NUS to fall back on, said Professor Tan. One possible backup is within the science faculty, where the department of biological sciences is located - possibly in a new building.
He also reaffirmed NUS' desire to keep the museum within its campus, in a 'prominent location' so it would be 'accessible to everyone, including the public'.
'The museum is a very important facility,' Prof Tan continued, 'and it's not easy to raise so much money. I have to take my hat off to my colleagues who are fighting very hard (to do so).'
When asked if NUS might top up the shortfall in museum-building funds, Prof Tan said: 'NUS is quite stretched in our resources...we are trying to raise funds from donors ourselves, and we don't want to pass costs on to students.'
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