97 students receive the Singapore-Industry Scholarship this year

(From left) Mr Daryl Tan, a 22-year-old full-term scholar; Mr Tan Ying Li, a 23-year-old mid-term scholar; and Mr Cheong Qin Zheng, a 24-year-old mid-term scholar, are some of the ninety-seven students who received the Singapore-Industry Scholarship
(From left) Mr Daryl Tan, a 22-year-old full-term scholar; Mr Tan Ying Li, a 23-year-old mid-term scholar; and Mr Cheong Qin Zheng, a 24-year-old mid-term scholar, are some of the ninety-seven students who received the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) at the NUS University Cultural Centre on Monday, Aug 26, 2013. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Ninety-seven students received the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) at a ceremony at on Monday.

Among them are six students who were awarded mid-term scholarships. This is the first year that mid-term scholarships are being offered to second- and third-year Singaporean students in local and overseas universities.

The SgIS, which aims to develop future Singaporean leaders in various strategic sectors, was launched last year by the Ministry of Education and the Economic Development Board. The scholarships cover tuition fees of undergraduates and are jointly funded by the Government and private enterprises.

In his speech at the ceremony held at the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said: "The defining characteristic of the SgIS is the commitment of both the companies and the scholars to take a broad and long view of developing talent.

"We select scholars who have an interest in the sector and are prepared to immerse themselves deeply in the chosen field, and to learn outside the classrooms."

This year, 39 firms have come onboard, an increase from 28 last year. The firms come from 13 industries, and new organisations include water treatment firm Hyflux and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre.

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