Raffles Design Institute is a for-profit,[1] design-centric educational institution headquartered in Singapore. Its flagship campus (i.e. Raffles Design Institute Singapore) was established in 1990 by the company Raffles Education Corporation Limited.[2]
History
Founded in 1990, Raffles Design Institute is one of the first private institutions in Singapore to offer a Fashion Design course.[3] Within five years, multiple design disciplines including Interactive Media Design, Visual Communication, Product Design, Jewellery Design, Interior Design, Games Design and Animation Design were introduced.[4] Since establishment, the group has grown to provide a full spectrum of education services through a vast network of 16 educational institute accross 9 countries in Asia Pacific and Europe: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, and the People's Republic of China.
In 2004, Raffles Design Institute received the Singapore Quality Class Award for Private Education Organizations, ensuring that all courses were registered with the appropriate bodies. In 2005, the CaseTrust for Education Award for Private Education Organizations was awarded, which is an indication of approval by The Consumer Association of Singapore Enterprise. In 2008/2009, Edupoll recognized Raffles Design Institute as one of the Top Ten Education Provider [sic] in Singapore and the Largest and Most Global Private Education Provider in Singapore.[5]
In February 2010, Raffles Design Institute, Raffles Merchandising Institute and Raffles School of Business were re-organized as institutes of Raffles College of Higher Education.[6]
The Group, through its Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed subsidiary, Oriental University City Holdings (H.K.) Ltd., leases education facilities to 12 educational institution offering a wide variety of vocational and technical courses.
Establishments
International campuses
Raffles International College Bangkok, originally known as Raffles Design Institute Bangkok, is a 2.25-hectare (5.6-acre) campus located in the Bangna district of Bangkok, Thailand. It was awarded the title of "Best Design School" for outstanding achievement in the advancement of Arts and Design by Her Royal Highness Princess of Thailand Soamsawali in March 2007.[7] Despite several technical issues faced by Raffles, Raffles managed to obtain the licence to operate its college in Bangkok Thailand[8]
Raffles' partner in its Indian Joint Venture, Educomp Solutions Ltd., was reported to be struggling financially, and divesting from many subsidiaries. This coincided with the closure of many of its colleges in India.[9] Raffles had initiated legal actions against Educomp and was awarded with $2.9million in damages due to being misled by Educomp into believing that Educomp would agree to buyout its stake in a joint venture when Educomp possessed no such intention.[1]
References
^Tierney, William; Hentschke, Guilbert; Lechuga, Vicente (1 March 2012). For-Profit Colleges and Universities: Their Markets, Regulation, Performance, and Place in Higher Education. Stylus Publishing. p. 159. ISBN978-1579225285.
^Brett, Jeremy; Queenie Chan; Melody Chan; Skye Skagfeld (May 2010). "Raffles Pulse May 2010"(PDF). Raffles Design Institute News. Archived from the original(PDF) on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
