New scholarship to attract Singaporeans to water and environment sectors

Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia 28 Jul 08;

SINGAPORE: Financial help will soon be available for students wanting to pursue degrees in the environment and water sectors.

A new scholarship programme has been launched by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR).

Called the National Environment and Water (NEW) Scholarship, up to 20 undergraduate awards will be offered each year for studies at reputable local and overseas universities, starting from 2009.

To interest the young in the environment and water sectors, students will also be invited to take up internships at the national water agency PUB, the National Environment Agency, MEWR or related organisations.

Under this internship scheme, known as the NEW Programme, selected students will get the opportunity to participate in environment or water-related projects, and those showing particular promise can be offered the NEW scholarship.

Mr Khoo Teng Chye, PUB chief executive and executive director of the Environment and Water Industry Development Council, said the NEW Programme will help attract talents and allow PUB to select the best possible candidates to be developed.

According to a statement from MEWR, jobs in the environment and water industry are expected to increase to 20,000, and these will in turn triple the industry's economic value-added to S$1.7 billion by 2015.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said: "Environmental sustainability is important not just for Singapore but also the world.

"Singapore has been at the forefront with our approach to integrated water management and projects such as NEWater, Marina Barrage, Semakau Landfill and Deep Tunnel Sewerage System."

The scholarship is available for undergraduate degree programmes in Environmental Science, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Economics and other courses relevant to NEA or PUB.

Scholars receiving an overseas award for universities in English-speaking countries (for example, US, UK and Australia) will be bonded for six years, while those attending local universities will have to serve a bond of four years.

- CNA/ir