Channel NewsAsia 24 Apr 08;
SINGAPORE: Innovative graduate students who participate in the Lien Challenge to come up with solutions that protect the environment will receive funding for their projects.
The competition to devise green solutions for China is the brainchild of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Lien Foundation, which is supporting the initiative with a funding of S$1 million per year for the next three years.
For a start, a pilot project has been launched and it involves senior Chinese officials in NTU's Master of Science in Managerial Economics (MME) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programmes.
These officials are encouraged to submit innovative proposals that address environmental protection and sustainable development issues in China.
The theme for the pilot year focuses on water issues and sustainable water solutions. Short-listed teams will need to get the endorsement and support from their local governments to implement their proposals.
The grand prize winner will receive S$700,000 to implement the project, which will be facilitated by Lien Aid – an international development NGO under the Lien Foundation-NTU Environmental Endeavour.
In a statement, NTU said the new initiative offers a "practice-based learning platform for postgraduate students to identify and structure real-world projects that will significantly impact the community in China".- CNA/so
China water woes: Charity pours in $3m
Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 24 Apr 08;
THE Lien Foundation, a charity focused on education, seniors and the environment, has announced that it will pour $3million into projects to help solve China's water woes.
The money, to be doled out over three years, is expected to help some of the hundreds of millions of Chinese who face water shortages.
Proposals must come from among the 129 Chinese government officials taking master's programmes at the Nanyang Technological University this year.
In the last two years, the Lien Foundation has built wells, toilets and irrigation systems in water-scarce areas in Asia. The Lien Challenge, announced yesterday, is a new move into sponsoring research to solve water problems.
Project director Lee Poh Wah said its aim is to help Chinese policy-makers identify projects that could benefit millions.
'There are 250 million facing water shortages in rural parts of China alone and, by reaching out to government officials, much more work can be done to reduce this number,' Mr Lee said.
Already, three teams have come forward with ideas. Officials from Shanxi, Fujian and Chongqing have proposed finding ways to treat waste water and clean up river systems.
Only one project will win the million-dollar award each year.
