Abstract

A gap exists in the research literature regarding the inclusion of religious beliefs of staff in the workplace considerations at an Australian offshore higher education campus in Singapore. Singapore is distinguished by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices due to its distinct mix of peoples of various ethnicities originally from various countries. The major religions of the world are represented in Singapore and include Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism. As an educational hub, Singapore is also a host to numerous offshore higher education campuses, mainly from Western countries. In such a context, the spiritual beliefs of staff may need to be considered in setting up higher education Western offshore campuses. This paper contributes to the research literature by presenting the findings of a case study conducted at a large Australian higher education campus in Singapore. The findings show that incorporating the diverse beliefs of staff in an offshore higher education institution in Singapore is crucial to the effective operation of the campus. Based on these findings, suggestions for future policy and practice are offered for higher education campuses not only in Singapore but also throughout Asia.