New opportunities for LIPA students as partnership agreed with top Singapore arts institution

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore (LASALLE), are entering into a new partnership with the aim of providing new opportunities for students and staff, along with curriculum development. 

The two institutes have signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to work together on educational and academic exchanges. One of the aims is for LIPA students to work on productions at LASALLE, with students from Singapore coming to Liverpool to work on projects here. 

LIPA’s Principal/CEO Professor Sean McNamara says the exchanges will be highly beneficial. “I believe working in a similar environment but in a different culture will give students new perspectives and ideas. It will be an opportunity for them to really stretch themselves and take their learning to the next level.” 

Professor Steve Dixon, President of LASALLE, agrees that students are at the centre of this agreement and believes the two institutes are well matched. “There is a shared energy and sense of ambition. We offer many similar programmes and disciplines. Both institutes are practice oriented and work to produce outstanding graduates who have a sense of originality and personality.” 

The partnership aims to be deeper than just a student exchange programme. Sean says it will enable both institutes to continue to grow. “It will be a learning experience for us as institutions as well. We can discover how similar challenges are addressed in different countries and cultures which can inform our practice as we develop our programmes.” Steve adds, “International collaborations enable us to go in new directions, think in new ways and draw on different cultural perspectives.” 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Professor Sean McNamara (LIPA) and Professor Steve Dixon (LASALLE College of the Arts) on 8 June 2023.  Under the agreement the partnership could include:  

• Exchanges of faculty members and students  
• Collaborative research opportunities 
• Academic and educational symposiums 
• Other projects which are of interest to both parties  

The MoU is part of LIPA’s new Internationalisation strategy that will see it collaborate with an increasingly diverse set of global partners. 

Image: L-to-r Professor Sean McNamara (LIPA) and Professor Steve Dixon (LASALLE College of the Arts). Photography Brian Roberts