New scholarship & bursary to boost financial support for needy students reading law at SMU

Singapore, 19 January 2017 (Thursday) – Singapore Management University (SMU) has announced that more financial support has been made available to law undergraduates enrolled into SMU’s Bachelor of Laws programme.  The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) has established a prestigious scholarship that will benefit financially-needy SMU law undergraduates with a high potential to succeed in his/her legal education.  Named the Singapore Academy of Law Undergraduate Scholarship, the award will cover the full tuition fees of one needy Singaporean law freshman each year, starting from Academic Year (AY) 2017-2018.  The award has been pledged for an initial term of five years and will be reviewed in AY 2021-2022.  The Scholarship is valued at approximately $50,000 each (based on existing tuition fees for the SMU Bachelor of Laws programme).

Also newly established for four years is the Patrick Ong Law LLC Bursary, which has been made possible by the generosity of Mr Patrick Ong, Director of Patrick Ong Law LLC.  One needy Singaporean / Singapore Permanent Resident law student will benefit from a S$5,000 bursary award each year, starting from AY2016-2017.

Professor Yeo Tiong Min, Dean of SMU School of Law, said, “I’m very grateful to SAL and Mr Patrick Ong for their encouragement towards needy law undergraduates.  The new scholarship and bursary, which give an additional boost to existing scholarships and bursaries, will undoubtedly make a significant difference in the educational journey of deserving law students at SMU.  The support will enable them to enjoy a fulfilling university education free from financial burden and distractions.  It will also motivate our law students to pursue all-round excellence.”

Ms Serene Wee, Chief Executive SAL, said, “The SAL Undergraduate Scholarship underscores our commitment to nurture the future generations of the legal profession. The scholarship not only provides much needed financial assistance but also aims to provide the recipients with a valuable opportunity to participate in SAL programmes and committee work where they can interact with and learn from senior members of the profession. We believe that this practical exposure will complement their academic learning in preparing them for the future.”

Mr Patrick Ong said, “It is a privilege to be able to help SMU law students who face financial constraints.  I believe that every firm, regardless of its size, can contribute something towards education and society at large in a meaningful and fulfilling way.”

SMU practises a ‘needs-blind’ admission policy where no deserving student will be deprived of an education because of financial hardship. Grants, bursaries, loans and scholarships are available for needy students, so that they can focus on their studies and enjoy an enriching educational journey at SMU without worry. In FY2016, a total of $4.87 million was set aside in financial aid (grants, bursaries, needs-based scholarships, awards and loans) to students, combining university resources as well as donor-supported schemes.

There are about 170 bond-free scholarships (merit- and needs-based) which freshmen can apply for. On average, one in 12 freshmen of the new intake will also stand a chance to be awarded a scholarship by the University.

Within the School of Law, there are currently 32 bursaries and scholarships (merit and needs based) which law students can apply for, together with other grants and awards.

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About Singapore Management University

Singapore Management University (SMU) is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching.  Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and produce broad-based, creative and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy.  SMU education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative and project-based approach to learning, and for its technologically enabled pedagogy of seminar-style teaching in small class sizes.

Comprised of six schools specialising in Accountancy, Business, Economics, Information Systems, Law and Social Sciences, it offers a wide range of bachelors', masters' and PhD degree programmes and is home to 9,500 students.  With an emphasis on generating relevant multi-disciplinary research that addresses Asian issues, and being Singapore’s only university in the city, SMU enjoys strategic linkages with business, government and the wider community through its research institutes, centres and labs. www.smu.edu.sg

About SMU School of Law

SMU School of Law proudly welcomed its first cohort of 116 students in August 2007.  Taught by a dynamic faculty with postgraduate degrees from renowned universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol and London, the School aims to nurture its students to become excellent lawyers who will contribute significantly to society.  Trained with the ability to contextualise legal expertise and to think across disciplines and geographical borders coupled with SMU’s interactive pedagogy, SMU’s law graduates are confident articulate and analytically agile.

The SMU School of Law offers a four-year full-time Bachelor of Laws programme, a five-year double-degree programme which combines law with Accountancy, Business, Economics, Information Systems or Social Sciences, and a Master of Laws programme.  The School has also launched a full-time graduate programme, the Juris Doctor Programme which can be completed within three years, and in some cases, accelerated for completion within two years.  www.law.smu.edu.sg

About The Singapore Academy of Law

The Singapore Academy of Law (“the Academy”) is a promotion and development agency for Singapore’s legal industry, with the vision of making Singapore the legal hub of Asia.

Its work focuses on excellence in creating knowledge and know-how; catalysing ideas, insights and innovation; capability building with tools and technology; and connecting all in the legal community with each other and the public.

As a body established by statute, the Academy also undertakes statutory functions such as stakeholding services and the appointment of Senior Counsel, Commissioners of Oath and Notaries Public.

More information can be found at www.sal.org.sg  

About Patrick Ong LLC

Patrick Ong Law LLC is primarily a disputes resolution law practice, with a particular expertise in the field of building and construction law.

The firm is founded by Mr Patrick Ong, who was admitted as an advocate and solicitor to the Singapore Bar in 1994. He and the associates at the firm also advice on arbitration and general civil and commercial litigation as well as non-contentious matters such as corporate and commercial issues as well as wills, probate and trusts issues.