31 receive SPH and SPH Foundation Scholarships

Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Singapore Press Holdings Foundation (SPH Foundation) today presented 31 scholarships at its annual joint scholarship awards presentation ceremony at SPH News Centre auditorium.

The scholarships given out this year were as follows: 7 SPH Journalism scholarships, 14 scholarships to children of SPH staff and newspaper vendors, and 10 SPH Foundation Lim Kim San Memorial scholarships.

The Guest-of-Honour was Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman for SPH and SPH Foundation. He presented the SPH Journalism and SPH Foundation Lim Kim San Memorial scholarships. Mr Alan Chan, Chief Executive Officer of SPH, gave out the scholarships to the children of SPH staff and newspaper vendors.

In his address, Dr Lee said: "SPH's traditional newspaper publishing operation is evolving rapidly to cope with a growing digital and social media landscape. The availability of alternative news sources and changing media consumption habits are challenges that we have to deal with. SPH will continue to invest in talent to help us deliver high quality products that will continuously engage the minds and enrich the lives of readers and consumers."

Mr Bian He, one of this year's Journalism Scholarship recipient, is pursuing Arts & Social Sciences at the National University of Singapore.

He said: "I believe journalism is bigger than what it seems to be. I feel more connected and more reflective as I go through daily reports and interviews with different aspects of the society. Such an opportunity does not come easily, and I thank SPH for giving me this chance to learn and strive in this field that I love."

SPH Foundation Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarships

The SPH Foundation Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarships are awarded to deserving students from modest backgrounds to fund their studies at local universities. Since its inception, there had been 53 recipients of the Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarships. The bond-free scholarships, which were originally awarded to full time language students, were extended to local undergraduates reading humanities last year, to mark SPH Foundation's 10th anniversary.

Mr Pang Xue Qiang, one of this year's Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship recipients, is pursuing Communication Studies at the Nanyang Technological University.

He said: "I feel incredibly blessed to be awarded the scholarship and would like to thank SPH Foundation for giving me this precious opportunity. The scholarship would first and foremost mean financial stability for me. It is also an affirmation and inspiration to continue to work harder and be the best for my family and community."

Ms Ashley Lim, another recipient for the Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship, is reading English at the Nanyang Technological Univeristy.

She said: "I feel extremely honoured to receive this bond-free scholarship which greatly reduces my parents' financial burden. I will do my best to give back to society."

In recognition of their service and contributions to the company, a total of 14 scholarships were given to the children of SPH staff and news vendors for studies at the local junior colleges, polytechnics and universities.