SINGAPORE - In 2010, five years after first receiving a DesignSingapore Council scholarship, Mr Yong Jieyu co-founded STUCK, a design firm that focuses on product design and digital innovation.
The 38-year-old was part of the second batch of scholars from 2006 to 2008. He had applied for the scholarship to pursuea master's degree in conceptual design in context at the Design Academy Eindhoven in Holland.
"It opened many doors for me, in the form of experience, skills and a network of passionate fellow designers as well.
"It also gave me the confidence and belief that I could one day open my own firm, after getting exposure overseas," he added.
The scholarship covered the full cost of design-related degrees, including post-graduate programmes.
It has been expanded in scope since it was first established in 2005.
Scholars will now be given more support including living expenses and pre-travelling allowance, the council announced on Tuesday (Jan 30).
The enhanced scholarship will provide a structured framework that offers career planning, mentorship, networking opportunities, and internships to its scholars.
It aims to ensure that scholarship holders will be provided with a stronger and more holistic programme to support their careers, said the council.
Such support for scholars was previously offered on an ad hoc basis.
The scholarship is open to students and working professionals who want to study design-related degrees locally or overseas.
The council's executive director Agnes Kwek said that designers today are sought after in many industries.
"We see a trend of designers using their unique skills of empathy and creativity to drive innovation in healthcare, finance, management consulting, and the public sector," she said.
She added that the council is looking for potential scholars with the "ambition to make this a better world through design, but most importantly, with a heart to serve Singapore".
Online applications may be submitted at www.designsingapore.org/scholarship, and the application period is from Feb 6 to April 2.
