Professors Karen K. L. Loh and Pei Shan Siah from Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Central College campus visited Butler University March 14–17 to learn more about Founder’s College and its approach to workforce-focused, two-year education.
ITE serves approximately 25,000 students annually and is widely recognized as a global leader in technical education, with its model adopted or studied by institutions in more than 30 countries. Their visit to Butler focused on curriculum design, student support models, and experiential learning.
For a globally recognized system that has helped shape workforce education in more than 30 countries, the visit signals growing international attention to Butler’s model.
During their time on campus, the delegation toured Founder’s College and several key academic and student spaces, including the College of Education, the Lacy School of Business, Dugan Hall, and Butler’s library. In Dugan Hall, the group explored Butler’s innovation and career development spaces, engaging directly with tools and resources designed to prepare students for the workforce. They also received an overview of the University’s Core Curriculum and how it integrates with Founder’s College programs.
The group spent time learning about Founder’s College’s academic structure, degree offerings, and focus on aligning curriculum with workforce needs. They also explored the College’s approach to student engagement and classroom design, including the use of collaborative learning environments and systems that support student participation and retention.
In addition to campus tours, the visit included conversations with faculty and staff about entrepreneurship education, career preparation, and student services. The delegation also shared insights from ITE’s own model, particularly its approach to internships and reflective learning, offering ideas that may inform future program development at Butler.
A Founder’s College student ambassador participated in hosting the group, providing a student perspective on the program and engaging in discussions about global education systems.
“Thank you for so graciously hosting Pei Shan and me during our visit to Founder’s College, Butler University,” Loh wrote to Founder’s College Dean Carolyn Gentle-Genitty. “We have benefitted tremendously from your generous sharing and campus walkabout to understand the mission, vision and various programmes of Founder’s College. We also deeply appreciate you arranging the additional visit to Butler University’s School of Business for us to meet with Dr. Stephanie Fernhaber and Dr. Su-Mei Ooi, as well as speaking with student Karmani Burton, which provided valuable insights into entrepreneurship programmes and the Butler core curriculum.”
The visit reflects growing external interest in Founder’s College as it completes its first year of operation—and positions Butler as part of a broader global conversation about the future of workforce-aligned education.