On 24th May 2016 and 30th May 2016, the Buddhist College of Singapore (BCS) Entrance Examinations for South Asian and Southeast Asian candidates took place in Singapore, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. Venerable Dr. Chuan Sheng (Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs), Venerable Quan Zhi (Head of Monastic Training), Venerable Chuan Hang (Assistant Class Mentor), Dr. Ji Yun (Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs), Venerable Dr. Chang Qing (Assistant Professor), Venerable Ming Fa (Lecturer) and Dr. Lee Foong Ming (Assistant Professor) administered the examinations.
On 30th May 2016, the Buddhist College of Singapore Entrance Examinations for the intake of Chinese-speaking candidates took place at the Buddhist College of Minnan in Xiamen, China. The examination venue was specified by the Buddhist Association of China and strongly supported by the Vice-President of the Buddhist Association of China cum Rector of the Buddhist College of Minnan, the Most Venerable Ze Wu, and supervised by honorable representatives from the Buddhist Association of China − Venerable Yuan Ci (Deputy Director for the Academic Department) and Venerable Chang Ming (Department for Dharma Affairs). Representatives from BCS were led by the Rector, Most Venerable Kwang Sheng, with Venerable Chuan Hou (Vice-Rector for Administration Office), Venerable Chuan Xiong (Dean of Academic Affairs), Venerable Chuan Deng (Head of Administration and Registrar Office) and staff administering the examinations.
In response to the request from the Buddhist Association of China and the Buddhist College of Singapore, the Buddhist College of Minnan made the necessary arrangements for registration, examinations and interviews, as well as preparing the reception, food and accommodation for the examiners, administrators and candidates. The Buddhist College of Minnan extended their hospitable support by providing a core team of Venerables and teachers to assist our representatives in carrying out the examinations, interviews and validation of examination scripts.
With the full support from the Buddhist Association of China and the Buddhist College of Minnan, BCS successfully recruited 26 candidates from China. There are also 9 candidates from Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Nepal who took the Chinese BA entrance examinations. Around 70 candidates from South Asian and Southeast Asian countries took the English BA entrance examinations. This recruitment exercise not only allowed for the injection of new students to BCS, but also acted as a platform for harmonious interactions and exchanges between Chinese Mahayana and Theravada monastics.
