Isabelle Pook

Aligning Passion with Opportunity

During my first two years in university, a journey of self-discovery led me to uncover a passion for urban planning and its potential to shape living spaces and improve lives. This drew me to the SLA Undergraduate (Mid-Term) Scholarship, which aligned with my aspirations, as I would like to contribute to the innovative use of state land and properties upon graduation. I am grateful for this scholarship, as it offers both financial support and mentorship throughout my academic journey.

Cultivating Practical Work Experiences

My internship with the Business Planning & Development Division has offered valuable insights into the adaptive reuse of state properties. It involved collaborations with various partners on innovative projects. I experienced a diverse range of internship activities, such as strategic planning, stakeholder engagements and site visits, and participated in events like the World Cities Summit. These offered me a deeper understanding about the different stages of planning and redevelopment for SLA projects.

Opportunities for Continuous Growth

Beyond its exciting redevelopment projects, SLA also encourages professional and personal growth. Brown Bag sessions are organised regularly, where we get inspired by the sharing of professionals from diverse backgrounds. This includes my happiest moment meeting Joseph Schooling! In addition, SLA has sponsored my overseas exchange to Copenhagen, Denmark with the Danish Institute of Study Abroad. In Copenhagen, I undertook exciting courses on Adaptive Reuse and Strategies for Urban Liveability, and gained new insights from the case studies for my future work with SLA.

Shawn Lim Le Yang

Exploring a World of Geospatial Opportunities

My passion for geography led me to apply for the Singapore Geospatial Scholarship with SLA. I have always been fascinated by how geography and maps help us to understand, navigate, and interact with the world. This scholarship has provided me with many opportunities and resources to deepen my knowledge in the world of geospatial, as I uncover how maps and spatial data can be used to address Singapore’s constant challenge of land scarcity. Along my scholarship journey, I have met a community of inspiring peers from SLA, who have become close friends and mentors of mine.

Broadening Professional Perspectives

My internship at the Geospatial and Survey Division with the Strategy & Innovation team was incredibly enriching. It has enhanced my technical and research skills while deepening my appreciation for the geospatial field. I conducted extensive research on international geospatial centres, developed methodologies for geospatial data standardisation, and coordinated SLA’s Geospatial Internship Programme for junior college students to enrich their understanding on geospatial applications. I also had a wonderful supervisor, who is a fellow SLA Scholarship recipient.

Building Strong Connections

Engagement events at SLA have made my scholarship experience more fulfilling and fostered a sense of belonging in me. At SLA’s Dinner and Dance this year, I had the chance to interact with many colleagues and scholars. My assigned mentor, who is from the Management Team, has also been an invaluable source of support in offering guidance on my academics and future career. In addition, I am a member of the SLA Scholars’ Connect Group, which has enabled me to form connections and friendships with other SLA scholars.