SINGAPORE - The recipients of the S R Nathan Education Award had tea with the former president at the Eurasian Community House on Saturday.

The award is given to outstanding students who have been accepted into the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) or any of the five polytechnics.

Five of the eight students who received the award were present at the tea session - Ms Lynn Koh and Mr Muhammad A'fif Ramlee from Singapore Polytechnic, Mr Angileo Kelly and Mr Santhirans from ITE and Mr Rolf Gregory Krusemann from Temasek Polytechnic.

Said Mr Nathan: "These students who are recognised today have shown tenacity and resilience and are deserving of these awards."

One recipient said receiving the award has motivated him to give back. "I will be graduating from Temasek Polytechnic this year. This award has inspired me to contribute to the society as I was given much needed help by Mr Nathan," said Mr Krusemann.

The award is provided by the S R Nathan Education Upliftment Fund, which was established in 2011 to support programmes to raise the education levels of financially needy Singaporeans.

Beneficiaries of the fund, managed by Community Foundation of Singapore, include the four ethnic self-help groups: the Chinese Development Assistance Council, Yayasan Mendaki, Singapore Indian Development Association and Eurasian Association.