Scene and Heard
Photo: Contributed by Singapore Maritime Foundation
Charting the Course for Future Maritime Talent
A total of 63 MaritimeONE Scholarships and 10 Tripartite Maritime Scholarships (TMSS) were awarded to outstanding students at the MaritimeONE Scholarship Awards Ceremony on 6 September 2024. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Transport.
Launched by the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and its industry partners, the MaritimeONE Scholarship Programme nurtures talent for Singapore’s maritime sector, offering financial support, mentorship, internships, and networking opportunities.
The TMSS supports aspiring ship captains and chief engineers pursuing Diplomas in Nautical Studies or Marine Engineering at the Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore Polytechnic, with the potential to take on leadership roles within the maritime industry.
This year saw an increase in the number of scholarships awarded, rising from 60 in the previous year to 63, with a total value exceeding S$1.8 million. Since its inception in 2007, the programme has awarded 647 scholarships worth S$17.6 million.
Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, highlighted the importance of these scholarships in developing future maritime leaders. “The MaritimeONE and Tripartite Maritime Scholarships are part of the talent development initiative by the government, unions, and industry to build the next generation of maritime leaders who are more digitally savvy and care about the environment to help shape a global maritime future that is more digital and sustainable,” he said.
The event also marked the inaugural award of the SMI-MaritimeONE Postgraduate R&D Scholarship, established in 2024 to grow Singapore’s maritime research talent and enhance its R&D capabilities as a global maritime knowledge hub.
MDDI Family Awards 84 Scholarships to Nurture Talents for Singapore’s Tech, Media and Information Sectors
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) family awarded 84 scholarships on 14 August 2024 at a ceremony hosted by Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information. This marked the first ceremony for the MDDI family after the merger of the Ministry of Communications and Information with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group in October 2023.
The scholarships are part of the MDDI family’s effort to nurture talents in technology, media, library and archives services and communications areas, enabling leadership in digital development and government communications work across public and private sectors. Three recipients were awarded the MDDI Information Service Scholarship, which attracts young talents with an interest in government communications.
Three recipients also received the National Library Board Scholarship, which aims to nurture a multi-disciplinary talent pipeline to develop Singapore’s libraries and archives. Additionally, eight recipients were awarded the Smart Nation Scholarship, which fosters future leaders in technology with job rotations across the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
The MDDI Postgraduate Scholarship, which aims to develop inservice officers’ professional and specialised capabilities, was awarded to two MDDI officers to pursue postgraduate studies. 68 recipients were awarded the IMDA SG Digital Scholarship, an industry scholarship that supports both undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing careers in a tech or media-related field in an organisation of their choice.
A highlight of the IMDA SG Digital Scholarship is its focus on in-demand skills like AI, cybersecurity, and data science and analytics. IMDA is investing $20 million over three years to grow the AI talent pool, supporting Singapore’s goal of tripling its AI workforce to 15,000 practitioners under the National AI Strategy 2.0.
Photo: Contributed by Ministry of Home Affairs
Joining the Home Team: A Future Psychologist’s Journey
Bethany Lew, recipient of the MHA Civilian Scholarship (Psychology), shares her journey to becoming a Home Team psychologist.
I first encountered the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at a career fair at my alma mater, NUS High School. Hearing a Home Team psychologist speak about her work in rehabilitating inmates deeply resonated with me, as I believe in second chances and the power of psychology to make a positive impact.
Keen to learn more about MHA, I applied for the #DiscoverMHA Internship and was assigned to the Human Resource Division, working on Career Transition initiatives to help retiring uniformed officers upskill and prepare for their second careers outside of the Home Team. A highlight was engaging retiring officers during a workshop we organised, where their eagerness to upskill underscored the real-world impact of our initiatives.
As part of the #DiscoverMHA Internship, I also visited the Changi Prison Complex, Marina Bay Cruise Centre and Tampines Fire Station, where I witnessed firsthand Home Team officers’ passion for their work, as well as the cutting-edge technologies developed to safeguard Singapore.
Throughout the internship, I experienced MHA’s supportive organisational culture through flexible work arrangements, caring leaders and colleagues, regular bonding and wellness activities, and varied development opportunities.
The combination of meaningful work, supportive culture and flexibility solidified my decision to apply for the MHA Civilian Scholarship (Psychology). I was awarded the scholarship in 2024 to pursue Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. I look forward to contributing to Singapore’s safety and security as a Home Team psychologist upon my graduation.
Photo: Contributed by Singapore Institute of Management
SIM Launches S$60 Million Fund to Empower Learners and Drive Social Change
The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) announced a new S$60 million ‘SIM Impact Fund’ for the next 10 years, on its 60th anniversary on 28 November 2024. Revealed at the SIM60 Learning Festival at the SIM campus in Clementi, the event was graced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who received a cheque of S$3 million for the President’s Challenge as part of the SIM Impact Fund. This donation underscores SIM’s commitment to uplifting communities and driving social impact beyond its learner community.
The SIM Impact Fund aims to expand learning opportunities for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and champion initiatives that foster positive social change. Beginning in 2025, up to S$6 million will be disbursed annually over 10 years to support scholarships, awards, and initiatives like work-integrated learning and overseas trips—a six-fold increase from the previous S$1 million annual average.
Two new merit-based awards were introduced: the SIM STARRR Award, which focuses on Resilience, Resourcefulness, and Responsibility (3Rs), is designed for new undergraduate learners and covers both tuition fees and living expenses. The ASEAN Impact Award supports learners from ASEAN nations and further focuses on fostering leadership qualities and cross-cultural inclusivity.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said: “The SIM Impact Fund reflects SIM’s six-decade commitment to empowering individuals and nurturing talent in diverse fields, echoing the ethos of the refreshed President’s Challenge. I thank SIM for its generous pledge and look forward to this partnership helping to uplift aspirations and potential—especially for those facing greater odds—and ensuring they have the support to learn, grow, and succeed.”
