Incentives to study harder

The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) handed out close to $800,000 worth of bursaries and scholarships to about 850 students at its 20th Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony on May 23.

Gracing the ceremony at the Raffles City Convention Centre was Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Grace Fu.

To assist students with outstanding academic achievements who are in need of financial support, MDIS also offers scholarships through self-help groups, associations and organisations. Under this scheme, 20 scholarships worth $280,000 were given out.

One such student who received the MDIS scholarship was film critic and writer Asha Gizelle Mariadas. She had spent 12 years working in the media industry and taking up various courses at MDIS such as a professional certificate in marketing and communications management, a diploma in mass communications and an advanced diploma in mass communications.

Through her application at the Singapore Indian Development Association, she was awarded a scholarship for the Bachelor of Arts (in liberal studies with concentration in mass communications) from Oklahoma City University in the US, for the August intake at MDIS.

Said the 29-year-old: "I'm happy beyond words to have received this scholarship. I have always felt that MDIS supports lifelong learning and I'm a fan of that vision. More importantly, I regard this award as motivation to accomplish even greater things in life."

In commemoration of Singapore's jubilee year, the institution also launched the MDIS SG50 Special Bursary. Under this bursary, MDIS worked with primary schools to identify 149 deserving Primary Six pupils who will each receive $250.

Said MDIS secretary-general Dr R. Theyvendran: "We believe in helping individuals who have a strong desire to improve themselves through education, regardless of age, beyond the MDIS family. Through our scholarships and bursaries, we hope to help them reduce their financial worries so that they can focus on pursuing academic excellence and success in life."

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