16 April 2010 - The Integrated Infocomm Scholarship, launched in February 2009, provides support to outstanding 'O' level students to pursue infocomm studies from polytechnic straight through to the university level. 32 outstanding 'O' level students, the 2nd batch of Integrated Infocomm Scholars, received their scholarship awards today from Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.
16 April 2010 | For Immediate Release
IDA's Talent Development Initiative Draws Better Applicants In Its 2nd Year
32 outstanding 'O' level students, the 2nd batch of Integrated Infocomm Scholars, received their scholarship awards today from Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. These scholars were picked from an increased pool of applicants, which was about 30% more than last year. This year's Integrated Infocomm Scholarship (IIS) had also seen an increase in higher quality applicants. The Integrated Infocomm Scholarship, launched in February 2009, provides support to outstanding 'O' level students to pursue infocomm studies from polytechnic straight through to the university level.
The IIS is one of IDA's initiatives to ensure that the infocomm industry will have access to a ready and continuous pipeline of infocomm talent. The infocomm industry is an important sector of Singapore's economy, contributing about 7.1 per cent to national GDP1. According to IDA's 2009 Infocomm Manpower Survey, there are 140,800 infocomm professionals employed in the economy. Areas of strongest employment growth include software development, digital media & animation and software design
"The Integrated Infocomm Scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for bright students to directly pursue both polytechnic and university qualifications. It also allows scholars to learn about the latest technology developments and acquire valuable industry experience through attachments with major corporations under IDA's Talent Management Programme. We are pleased to see that the IIS has attracted increased interest by students with outstanding 'O' level results," said RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, CEO, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.
To provide the Integrated Infocomm Scholars with the opportunity to gain relevant industry exposure and experience, scholars will be able to take up industry attachments, both locally and overseas of up to six months, with major corporations at both the polytechnic and university level.
Top performing scholars at the polytechnic level will also have the opportunity to apply for the National Infocomm Scholarship2(NIS) programme for sponsorship of their university studies. Where a scholar is awarded NIS, the programme's terms and conditions would apply accordingly.
Scholars who continue with the IIS for their university studies will go on to serve a three-year bond in the infocomm industry and undertake an infocomm-related job approved by IDA, upon graduation from the university.
At the university level, beyond tuition fees at a local university, IIS scholars will receive funding support to pursue developmental courses under IDA's Talent Management programme to ensure they are industry-ready once they graduate and enter the workforce. The development courses seek to provide vendor-specific expertise, business domain knowledge, client management, business communication and soft skills. As part of getting these IIS scholars to be industry-ready, they will also be sent for local industry attachments of up to six months. During this attachment, they will be given allowances.
- Annex A - Factsheet on Integrated Infocomm Scholarship (94.02KB)
- Annex B - List of Integrated Infocomm Scholarship 2010 Recipients (76.51KB)
- Annex C - Quotes from some IIS Scholars (60.47KB)
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editors:
1 Based on DOS' estimates for both 2008 and Q1-Q3 2009, IDA's infocomm cluster contributed 7.1% to GDP.
2 The National Infocomm Scholarship (NIS) was launched by IDA in 2004 to develop infocomm leaders and ensure a future pipeline of talent for the infocomm industry. NIS offers the unique opportunity for scholars to be nurtured by leading MNCs, local companies and government agencies during their course of study. The sponsoring organisations range from diverse sectors including banking and finance, defence, energy, entertainment, and infocomm. These sponsoring organisations will nurture national infocomm scholars through mentorship and overseas work attachments of up to six months. At the end of their studies, all NIS scholars would go on to serve their bond with their sponsoring organisations. NIS is open to both local and foreign students who have completed their junior college or polytechnic studies and are keen to pursue a full time infocomm-related degree in either a local or foreign university. Since the launch of NIS in 2004, 181 scholarships have been given out.
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About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing info-communications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.
For Media Clarification, Please Contact:
Kenneth TAN (Mr)
Assistant Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1420
Fax: +65 6211 2227
E-mail: kenneth_tan@imda.gov.sg
TAN Gim Lay (Ms)
Assistant Director, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 0485
Fax: +65 6211 2227
E-mail: tan_gim_lay@imda.gov.sg
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