SINGAPORE- Four tertiary students have received the first government-industry scholarship dedicated to the power sector. Called the Energy-Industry Scholarship, its aim is to encourage more youth to join the sector.
On Wednesday, Mr S Iswaran, Minister for the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry, gave out the scholarships at a youth dialogue under the Singapore International Energy Week. Launched in January this year, the scholarship is open to Singaporeans and permanent residents and funds hostel and tuition fees, as well as provide a monthly living allowance.
This year's recipients will go on to join companies such as Singapore LNG Corporation, Singapore Power and YTL PowerSeraya after they graduate.
ITE College West student Muhammad Rafiuddin Samsudien, 17, who was awarded the scholarship by Singapore LNG Corporation, said: "I have always been interested in electrical work since young. This scholarship is the first step towards realising my dream of working in the power sector."
The other three recipients are National University of Singapore student Tay Wei Jia, Singapore polytechnic students Teo Wen Xuan and Noor Nashriyah Jalil. The next scholarship application will open in December this year.
Meanwhile, Singapore Power and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) kickstarted its campaign to raise energy efficiency awareness among students. They hope to reach out to 16,000 students across primary and secondary schools next year though its interactive mobile exhibits.
These initiatives come on the back of the Government's plan to pump $45 million into the energy sector. On Monday, Mr Iswaran announced a $20 million Energy Training Fund to support the training needs of Singaporean workers from the power sector.
Singapore Power will also set up the Singapore Institute of Power and Gas, co-funded by the EMA, to meet the training needs of power sector employees.
Last year, the EMA said that Singapore will need 2,400 technical professionals in the power sector over the next decade.
