SINGAPORE - Two programmes here are breathing life into history, by getting schools to set up their own heritage corners, and training older students in the intricacies of managing museums and galleries.

Heritage education was provided to university students for the first time earlier this year, with the launch of a museum studies course. This was announced on Saturday by the National Heritage Board (NHB), which teamed up with Singapore Management University (SMU) to create the course. It was offered in January and will be offered again next year, covering subjects such as curatorship, exhibition design and layout, education and programming. "The course better prepares our graduates to enter the growing job market in the cultural and creative industries," said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong. NHB and SMU will also be signing an agreement to explore other areas of collaboration.

Mr Wong was back at his alma mater, Tanjong Katong Secondary, to launch the School Heritage Corners programme onSaturday. It aims to help schools document their history and heritage, and that of the communities near the schools.

The board will work with interested schools, and pay half the cost of setting up the corners, up to $50,000, as well as giving advice on how to design and display items. Students will also be trained to conduct tours for schoolmates and the community. Said the school's principal Haslinda Zamani: "The TK Heritage Lab will bring familiar aspects of our history to life, including artefacts from the past, some which were donated by students and the community."