30 July 2011 - A total of 79 students from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and universities received their awards for the National Infocomm Scholarship ("NIS") and Integrated Infocomm Scholarship ("IIS") today. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, presented 31 awards for the NIS and Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Permanent Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts, gave out the 48 awards for the IIS at the School of The Arts.
Singapore, 30 July 2011 | For Immediate Release
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore works with industry partners to nurture infocomm talent
A total of 79 students from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and universities received their awards for the National Infocomm Scholarship ("NIS") and Integrated Infocomm Scholarship ("IIS") today. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, presented 31 awards for the NIS and Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Permanent Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts, gave out the 48 awards for the IIS at the School of The Arts.
NIS scholars will pursue their degree programmes at local universities; and overseas universities such as Cambridge University, Imperial College of London and Stanford University. The scholars will be nurtured as infocomm professionals by leading global companies, local companies and government agencies during their course of study, through mentorship and overseas work attachments of up to six months. At the end of their studies, all NIS scholars would go on to work with the NIS partner organisations from diverse sectors including banking and finance, defence, energy, entertainment, and infocomm. Close to half of NIS scholars have graduated with a first class honours. 239 National Infocomm Scholarships have been awarded since its launch in February 2004.
The NIS programme has continuously sought new collaborations. The number of NIS partner organisations increased to 31 this year, with EMC International SARL, Garena Online, ST Electronics Ltd, ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems) Pte Ltd, ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems) Pte Ltd and ST Electronics (Satcom & Sensor Systems) Pte Ltd joining the programme. This has provided more choices of organisations for scholars to pursue their infocomm career upon graduation. The Singapore University of Technology and Design ("SUTD") and the Singapore Institute of Technology ("SIT") have also come onboard the NIS programme, giving scholars additional education choices. One new Flagship Infocomm Masters Programme, the NUS-Brown University Concurrent Programme in Computer Science, was added to provide scholars with an increased choice of masters specialisation. The Flagship Infocomm Master's programmes allow students to pursue an infocomm-related Bachelor and Master degrees at an accelerated pace.
The Integrated Infocomm Scholarship is the first through-train scholarship available which allows outstanding 'O' level students to pursue an infocomm-related diploma courses at the five local polytechnics followed by infocomm-related degree courses at local universities. Upon graduation from their polytechnic studies, IIS scholars will continue to be sponsored for their infocomm-related degree at the university level. IIS scholars who have performed exceptionally well can apply for the National Infocomm Scholarship. 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. A total of 100 Integrated Infocomm Scholarships have been awarded to date.
The NIS and IIS are initiatives within IDA's Infocomm Manpower Development Roadmap1 to groom infocomm talent and leaders. RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, said, "We are pleased to see that the National Infocomm Scholarship and Integrated Infocomm Scholarship continues to attract outstanding students who are passionate about infocomm to pursue a career in this industry. The strong partnership between IDA and our industry partners will also help to ensure that our scholars obtain valuable industry experience and in depth knowledge of the infocomm industry which will equip them well for their infocomm careers."
Currently there are 141,300 infocomm professionals working in both the infocomm and non-infocomm industry2.
ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Related Resource:
- Annex A Factsheet on National Infocomm Scholarship (101.19KB)
- Annex B Factsheet on Integrated Infocomm Scholarship (113.48KB)
- Annex C List of NIS and IIS 2011 Recipients (103.30KB)
- Annex D Quotes from New Partner Organisations (105.36KB)
- Annex E Quotes from Scholars (138.95KB)
Notes to Editor:
1 The Infocomm Manpower Development Roadmap v2.0 ("MDEV 2.0") had been launched in March 2011 by then-Minister for Information Communications and the Arts, Mr Lui Tuck Yew.
2 IDA's Annual Survey on Infocomm Manpower.
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 infocommunications 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)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
DID: +65 6211 1420
Fax: +65 6211 2227
Email: Kenneth_TAN@imda.gov.sg
Grace CHIANG (Ms)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
DID: +65 6211 3863
Fax: +65 6211 2227
Email: Grace_CHIANG@imda.gov.sg
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