Zhao Qinmei [Photo provided to China Daily]

As one of the pivotal countries in building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Singapore stands out for its world-class public education and university system.

Like many local students who have enough time and freedom to decide on their areas of specialization, 22-year-old Wuhan resident Zhao Qinmei spent her first two years at Nanyang Technological University to explore her academic interests.

Zhao found her passion in data processing and analysis while taking an introductory database-management course in her sophomore year. So she decided to specialize in artificial intelligence.

The education Zhao receives is also pragmatic. Zhao and her team members are required to develop an application like professionals every semester.

"We have a lot of such hands-on experience in school," she says.

This helped her land an internship in major software-application firm SAP SE's machine-learning department.

Zhao says the employment rate in Singapore is high among international students－90 percent of her schoolmates can land a job with an average monthly salary of more than $2,500.

"In Singapore, all the university majors cater to the demands of the job market," says Zheng Yi, an overseas education consultant at EIC eduction in Beijing. "It's easy to find a local job after graduation."

Zheng adds that the country's low birthrate and increasing aging population also lead to high demand for foreign talent.

Despite Singapore's high housing and living costs, Zhao still recommends students studying in the country.

"The tuition fee here is reasonable," she says.

"If you are still working on your English-language proficiency, Singapore can be a springboard for studying in the West."