30 undergraduates awarded the MPA Global Internship Award 2015
Largest number of recipients and participating companies this year

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) today awarded 30 undergraduates the MPA Global Internship Award (GIA). These students have background in Maritime Studies, Business Management, Economics, Accountancy and Law. This is the largest number of award recipients since the programme started in 2013. They were selected from a pool of more than 170 applicants[1].

Launched in 2013, the MPA GIA programme allows high-achieving local undergraduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) to gain a deeper appreciation of the global nature of the maritime industry through hands-on learning in both the local and overseas offices of participating maritime companies. MPA has committed S$2 million over a period of five years to support the MPA GIA.

More maritime companies have also participated in the GIA programme. This year, 21 maritime companies, five more than last year, covering different sectors including shipping, shipbroking, ship finance, marine insurance, offshore and maritime law, participated in the programme. (Please refer to Annex for the list of participating companies)

Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, MPA said, "This is the largest number of awards we have given out. We are heartened by the encouraging response to the MPA GIA 2015, as the increased number of applications, recipients and participating companies indicate the value of the programme and commitment in developing manpower for Maritime Singapore. The global internship programme is an example of MPA's manpower development efforts to attract young talent to the maritime sector, which also complements and supports the national SkillsFuture initiative."

Ms Serene Ong Pei Wen, a recipient of the award in 2014 shared, "I enjoyed the overseas stint at Shipowners' London Headquarters the most, which makes this programme unique. It was a great opportunity to gain greater exposure to the world of shipping, such as experiencing the work culture of an overseas branch. I was brought to the Lloyds Building, where marine insurance started. That visit was indeed an unforgettable, eye-opening experience."

Ms Ong is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Maritime Studies and has been offered a sponsorship for her final year of studies at NTU as well as a full-time position with The Shipowners' Mutual Protection And Indemnity Association (Luxembourg) (Singapore Branch) after her internship stint with the company in 2014.

The 10-week internship programme commences on 18 May 2015 and includes overseas stints of up to four weeks covering, Australasia, the Middle East, South Africa, Europe and America.
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[1] In 2014, 23 students received the MPA GIA from a pool of more than 120 applicants.

 

Mr Andrew Tan, MPA Chief Executive, giving his welcome remarks


Group photograph with the award recipients and the representatives from the participating companies
 

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