7 July 2006
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) together with the maritime industry, today awarded 22 maritime scholarship and sponsorship awards to students pursuing various maritime courses both locally and overseas. These awards were presented by MPA's Chairman, Mr Peter Ong, at the Amara Hotel. The combined financial investment in this year's scholarship and sponsorship awards by the maritime sector amounts to some S$2.38 million. This intensive investment is aimed at developing a pool of high calibre workforce trained at all levels to take on a diverse spectrum of jobs in the maritime field, as Singapore moves up the value chain as an International Maritime Centre (IMC).
The bumper crop of awards given out this year is a positive sign that more talented young individuals are open to taking up a maritime career, and reinforces the ongoing efforts by both the MPA and the maritime industry to profile the many career benefits of joining the maritime industry.
The various categories of scholarship and sponsorship awards presented will provide the students with an opportunity to pursue a field of study that will lead them into either a maritime shore-based position or a seafaring career. The four categories of scholarship and sponsorship awards presented in today's ceremony include:
a) The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Scholarship��which funds the overseas or local undergraduate studies of a 'A' level or Polytechnic student.This year a total of 5 MPA Scholarships were awarded;
b) The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Sponsorship��which is offered to students who are pursuing the Bachelor of Maritime Operations and Diploma courses in the Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore Polytechnic. This sponsorship is also offered to students attending the 4th Year Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture & Marine/Ocean Engineering programme by the Universities of Glasglow and Strathclyde (UGS) in Singapore. This year a total of 6 MPA Sponsorships were awarded;
c) The SAIL (Searfaring Alternative an Investment for Life) Scholarship��which is the first scholarship that funds 'O' level students undertaking a seafaring education and career before transiting ashore to helm critical high-level appointments in the maritime industry. A total of 2 SAIL Scholarships were awarded this year;
d) The Tripartite Maritime Scholarship Scheme (TMSS)��which offers students with good 'O' level results to be trained to become Masters or Chief Engineers of ocean-going merchant ships. A total of 9 TMSS Scholarships were awarded this year;
About The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996. It is the driving force behind Singapore's continued push as a global hub port and an International Maritime Centre, IMC. As the 'Champion Agency', the MPA is expanding the Singapore maritime sector by developing a strong and attractive cluster of ancillary services. These range from, among others, ship broking/management, marine insurance/finance, maritime legal/arbitration services, R&D initiatives, and manpower expertise. It also promotes Singapore's strengths as a hub port and a quality ship registry.
End of Release.
Attached:
Speech by BG(NS) Tay Lim Heng, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
