New SMU undergraduate and alumni-initiated scholarships given out for the first time

Generous contributions from both current undergraduates and alumni of Singapore Management University (SMU) in recent years have helped established three scholarships with total funds worth $260,000 with the 1:1 matching grant by the government. Today, these scholarships were awarded to four deserving, accomplished undergraduates at SMU for the first time.

Third Year Business Management student Miss Nguyen Tue Vy is the first recipient of the SMU Alumni Scholarship (SMUAS), while first year student Miss Ser Xue Ling, Serene (徐雪玲) became the first to receive the SMU Sports Scholarship. The newest SMU Students' Association-Business Committee (SMUSA-BIZCOM) CCA Scholarship was awarded to two third-year undergraduates Miss Teoh Pei Ying (张佩颖) and Mr Lim Yong Ming Wilson (林勇明).

Under the SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA), the first graduating class of SMU set up the Alumni Scholarship Fund in 2004 to receive contributions from SMU graduates. In less than five years, over 500 alumni have collectively contributed to reach the target of $100,000 in 2007 and the SMU Alumni Scholarship was established. The scholarship with a one year tenure valued at $6,000 will be awarded annually to provide financial support for all-rounded third or final year students with good academic records. The first recipient of the scholarship, Miss Nguyen Tue Vy, has maintained academic results of good standing at SMU and has been involved in a diverse range of campus activities. She is a project leader and organiser for various charity and community service projects, and an active member of the university's astronomy and student investment clubs.

The SMU Sports Scholarship was established last year by Singapore Management University undergraduates and national sailors Mr Renfred Tay (郑稳铨) and Mr Koh Seng Leong (许圣隆) to recognise the achievements of an outstanding sportsman in his or her first year of study at SMU. The Scholarship was set up with the prize money Mr Tay and Mr Koh won at the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. Each of them pledged S$5,000 towards setting up the Scholarship and made history as the first scholarship set up in a local university by its current students to help future student cohorts, as well as to recognise outstanding athletes and support them in their undergraduate studies. Valued at S$2,000, the one-year scholarship was awarded to Miss Ser Xue Ling, Serene, who led the national fencing team to win its first gold medal in 16 years at the SEA Games 2007 in Thailand.

The SMUSA-BIZCOM CCA Scholarship was established in late 2007 by BIZCOM, the profit-generating business arm of the SMU Students' Association. BIZCOM embarks on business ventures in campus such as management of student events, expanding merchant relations for official SMU student card scheme Uni+vantage and developing bazaars and pushcart ventures to enable SMU student retail entrepreneurship. Spearheaded by the 7th BIZCOM director Mr Roy Chia, the group pledged $20,000 from the proceeds of its business projects to set up the Scholarship. Two scholarships, each valued at $2,500 with a one-year tenure, will be awarded annually to recognise and support students who have ventured beyond academic study through active involvement in community work, co-curricular activity (CCA) or entrepreneurial pursuit to achieve a holistic and well-balanced education. Miss Teoh Peiying is awarded the scholarship for her active involvement in leading many overseas community projects and sports events at SMU while Mr Lim Yong Ming Wilson is awarded for his leadership in championing dragon boating and other sporting events in SMU.

No bond is required under the terms of the above Scholarships. SMU students have long displayed a strong spirit of collegiality and sense of altruism towards fellow schoolmates . Valedictorian of the 2006 graduating cohort made history amongst SMU alumni by pledging an annual donation of S$4,000 to fund the Ee Seng and Claire Lim Accountancy Scholarship, named after his parents. The scholarship is awarded annually to needy, full-time students pursuing the Bachelor of Accountancy at SMU.

In the spirit of celebrating student achievements and collegiality, the scholarships are awarded at SMU's 8th Patron's Day, held today at its city campus in Bras Basah. The annual Patron's Day celebrations were graced by His Excellency, President S R Nathan who is also Patron of SMU. It was a fun-filled afternoon for the university's Board of Trustees, management, faculty, staff and students to get together and inte, SMU undergraduates enjoy an active and varied campus life. President S R Nathan also presented the SMU University Student Life Awards to honour outstanding students who have achieved both academic excellence and exceptional performance in various CCA categories, contributing to the vibrancy of student life in SMU.