“A very special partnership”: UAL and NAFA strengthen ties

Since 2021, Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts have developed a strong partnership with Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore, with UAL validating 3 of NAFA’s undergraduate art and design degree programmes in Fine Art, Design and Performance.

As part of the growing partnership between the 2 institutions, NAFA students have the opportunity to study at Camberwell, Chelsea or Wimbledon Colleges of Arts, where they undertake a 5–7-week placement as part of their studies. Whilst at UAL, the students from NAFA are able to develop and expand their creative practice, culminating in an exhibition of the work they have created over the course of their placement.

In connection with this year’s exchange, the President of NAFA Mrs Tan visited UAL, joined by NAFA colleagues Hazel Chan, Director of Strategic Development and Ho Hui May, Dean, Office of Academic Affairs at NAFA. Warmly welcomed at a drinks reception at Chelsea College of Arts, staff and students from across UAL met with NAFA’s delegation to celebrate the continued success of the partnership and discuss areas for future development.

Over time, the partnership between UAL and NAFA has expanded into other areas of strategic and academic development, including research and knowledge exchange. Both this year and last, students across Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts have had the opportunity to take part in a fully funded research trip to Singapore; an initiative supported by the Colleges’ International Development team.

Speaking on the partnership, Dean of Performance Arts and Foundation at Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts, Jayne Knowles said:

“ NAFA is a very special partner for Camberwell, Chelsa and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts. Their courses and approach to creative education align closely with ours. It has been wonderful to be able to facilitate a group of our students to travel to Singapore to work with NAFA, to develop their own ideas and practice.”

Following a successful selection process, 17 students from across the 3 colleges were selected to take part in the trip and travelled to Singapore from 15 – 21 April 2024. Students were accompanied by 3 academic members of staff: Shibboleth Shechter, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Interior and Spatial Design at Camberwell College of Arts, Charlie Abbott, Senior Lecturer and Year Leader for BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts and Ben Fitton, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts.

Priority was given to students who met 1 or more of UAL’s widening participation criteria, such as students from low-income households, those with caring responsibilities or students who are refugees or asylum seekers.

While in Singapore, students took part in ethnographic research to gain an understanding of the rich cultural history of Singapore and were asked to consider which aspects of South-East Asian culture they were interested in exploring further, helping to inform their Unit 8 coursework submission.

The trip included a tour of the NAFA campus where UAL staff and students met with current NAFA students and staff to get a flavour of campus life. In addition, students participated in cultural activities such as visits to several exhibition and gallery spaces including Singapore’s National Gallery and Haw Par Villa, a unique park that uses giant statues and dioramas to retell historic Chinese legends and religious mythology.

Students from the following courses were involved in this year’s trip:

Speaking about the trip Coreen Tan, Manager of the President’s Office at NAFA, said:

“It was heartening to witness the students’ desire to learn about the local cultures, history, and people during their learning journey to Singapore. Many of them delved deep into their topic of interest by researching them at the museums, the library, and through interviewing people. All of the students demonstrated their intention to not only apply what they've learned and experienced back home, but also to extend their research into exciting new territories”.

The visit to NAFA was 1 of a series of short-term international mobility projects run by the International Office for Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts.

• Find out more about UAL’s NAFA partnership
• Find out more about Research and Knowledge Exchange at Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts