Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore Dinner, October 2015
Thank you to everyone who attended the inaugural dinner for the Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore: over $320,000 SD raised for scholarships at Warwick!
On Thursday 8th October, over 152 alumni, friends and honoured guests attended a fundraising dinner for the Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore at the Pan Pacific Hotel.
Attendees included Professor Sir Nigel Thrift, Mr Scott Wightman, British High Commissioner to Singapore, the Director of the British Council, and other notable Singaporean alumni.
Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Government Whip, and Mr Eddie Teo, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, were also in attendance.
They enjoyed a special performance from the Coull Courtet, and speeches from the Vice-Chancellor and trustee Gautam Banerjee. The highlight of the event was an In Conversation session with the Minister Chan Chung Sing, which trustee Manraj Sekhon led over dinner.
The dinner raised over $320,000 SD which will help local students to have the opportunity to study at one of the world’s leading research universities, thanks to scholarships to be awarded by the Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore.
We are extremely lucky to have such a committed group of Trustees making a huge effort to raise awareness and support, and I want to thank everyone who has contributed in any way, financial or otherwise to supporting the scholarship programme. The programme is the latest in the enduring relationship between the University and the Republic, which we look forward to watching grow in the coming years.
Professor Nigel Thrift
Thank you to everyone who contributed to make this event such a success
About The Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore
The charitable trust was established to fund scholarships for academically able Singaporeans of low-income to pursue an international education at the University of Warwick, will enable Singaporean students to access international study.
To enhance the opportunities available to successful applicants to further their skills, experience and education before returning to Singapore, the scholarships come with no bond attached.
The University of Warwick was named as one of the top 50 universities in the world in 2015 QS World Rankings and was placed 6th in the United Kingdom by the Sunday Times university league table.
Promoting education and equality
The scholarships promote four of the six major pillars of the Singapore Government’s new social compact: intervention in education, skills future for everyone, redistribution to temper life’s inequalities and encouraging community support.
Commenting on Warwick’s long-standing relationship with Singapore, Gautam Banerjee, Warwick alumnus and Trustee of the Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore, said:
“Singapore and the University of Warwick share a long history, with the first Singaporean student arriving on campus in 1968. The University’s growth over the years since then has paralleled Singapore’s in many ways sharing the values of excellence, ambition, diversity and inclusivity. Warwick has contributed to the shaping of several generations of the Republic’s brightest minds.”
Discussing the benefits for Singaporeans to study at the University of Warwick recent graduate Louisa Lim highlighted the positive benefits of student life at Warwick:
“A university education is not just about studies. You grow as much outside of the classroom as you do inside. There is a vibrancy about the Warwick student population that comes with being a close-knit campus community that is hard to replicate elsewhere.
“The exuberance and passion found in the Warwick community gave me the confidence to stand up for what I believed in. I am glad that the newly launched Warwick Singapore Scholarship will make this opportunity available to more Singaporeans, and I hope others choose to travel this road.”
About the scholarships
The first undergraduate scholarships, valued between $25,000 and $50,000 per year of study, will be available to Singapore nationals and permanent residents for entry in September 2016. They will be available to Singaporean nationals and Permanent Residents who can demonstrate that:
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They are the first in their family to experience international higher education
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They are financially disadvantaged (family income of less than $2,500 per month, or per capita income not exceeding $625 per month)
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They have accepted a firm offer from Warwick before applying for the scholarship.
Questions? Contact the Friends of the University of Warwick in Singapore via Mandy Tan, Event Co-ordinator, University of Warwick, South East Asia Team, Singapore Branch Office, +65 6294 0898.