SMU launches new bond-free scholarships for retiring SAF personnel

Officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) go through their drills during the Exercise Wallaby 2010, an overseas military exercise held in Rockhampton, Australia. Military personnel leaving the service can now apply for a new bond-free scholarshi
Officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) go through their drills during the Exercise Wallaby 2010, an overseas military exercise held in Rockhampton, Australia. Military personnel leaving the service can now apply for a new bond-free scholarship to continue their education and transit into their next career. -- ST FILE PHOTO: RAJENDRAN NADARAJAN

Military personnel leaving the service can now apply for a new bond-free scholarship to continue their education and transit into their next career.

The first-of-its-kind Warriors Scholarship was the brainchild of professors at the Singapore Management University (SMU), who wanted to help servicemen who ensure peace and stability in Singapore, a role "often taken for granted", said SMU President Arnoud de Meyer on Tuesday morning.

SAF Chief of Defence Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, also present, thanked SMU for the scholarships and said: "SAF personnel will have much to offer to SMU's programmes as they have a wealth of practical experience and leadership skills honed in training, operations, planning and policy roles. Some even have combat experience in Afghanistan."

They were speaking at the inaugural scholarship award ceremony, which saw the programme's first five recipients receive their awards. SMU will sponsor up to 20 bond-free postgraduate scholarships, which will cost the university about $1 million annually, over three years. Students can enrol for any of the university's 18 postgraduate programmes.

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