Scholarships, Bursaries and Fundraising Efforts

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng
Mayor, Central Singapore District and Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC

 

2018: Following a tradition of philanthropy since its establishment 61 years ago, MDIS awarded $230,000 in scholarships and bursaries to over 400 deserving and needful students at its 23rd MDIS Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony on 26 May.

This year, bursaries worth S$18,000 were awarded to 36 children from Special Education Schools. Initiated two years back at its 60th Anniversary, MDIS has awarded 112 bursaries worth about S$50,000 to date to children from Special Education Schools. Additionally, a S$3,000 special bursary was awarded to a recipient to extend an extra helping hand to her family.

Guests-of-Honour Ms Denise Phua, Mayor, Central Singapore CDC and MP for Jalan Besar GRC and Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament and MP for Marine Parade GRC graced the morning and afternoon sessions respectively.

Mdm Halimah Yacob
Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

Mr Gan Thiam Poh
Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC

2017: MDIS held its 22^nd Scholarship & Bursary Awards Ceremony on 27 May, awarding S$294,200 in scholarships and bursaries to 424 beneficiaries.

In a demonstration of its strong commitment in helping deserving and needful students develop to their fullest potential, the institute awarded special bursaries worth S$5,000 each to two recipients to extend extra help to them and their families.

Another key focus for MDIS is helping students from Special Education Schools realise their potential and providing them with opportunities to pursue their interests. In total, 36 children and youth with mild intellectual disability, autism, multiple disabilities and/or hearing impairment from 13 Special Education Schools will benefit from the awards.

MDIS awarded other bond-free bursaries to 371 local students from secondary, post-secondary and tertiary levels; and 17 local and international recipients for their pre-degree and degree studies.

The morning event was graced by Mdm Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Marsiling - Yew Tee GRC. The afternoon event was graced by Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC.

Ms Foo Mee Har
Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC

2016: New bursaries awarded to students from special schools at its 21^st Scholarship & Bursary Awards on 28 May underscores MDIS’ commitment to give back to the community. To commemorate the Institute’s 60^th anniversary, MDIS disbursed S$16,000 of bursaries to 40 students with special needs at its annual Scholarship & Bursary Awards event.

These 40 students with mild intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities and/or hearing impairment, aged between 7 and 21 years, come from 15 special education schools run by various voluntary welfare organisations.

Graced by Ms Foo Mee Har, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC, the event was attended by over 1,600 students, accompanying teachers and parents. Close to S$400,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries were handed to 484 students from Institutes of Technical Education (ITE), Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges and Polytechnics on the day.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien
Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs

2015: On 23^rd May, MDIS presented 850 students with scholarships and bursaries worth close to S$800,000 at its annual Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony. Held at Raffles City Convention Centre, the ceremony was graced by Ms Grace Fu, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources, and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The ceremony marked a new award category that the Institute was launching this year. Named the MDIS SG50 Special Bursary in commemoration of Singapore’s golden jubilee, the award aims to give 150 deserving Primary Six students a cash prize of S$250 each, for a total value of S$37,500.

Mr Seah Kian Peng
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC

2014: In line with its vision to provide learning opportunities for all regardless of background, MDIS held its annual Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony in the Fairmont Ballroom at the Raffles City Convention Centre.

Attended by more than 2,000 guests, the event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of Parliament, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC and CEO of NTUC Fairprice Cooperative.

Mdm Halimah Yacob
Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC

2013: Keeping with MDIS’ motto of lifelong learning, the 18th Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony – held at the Raffles City Convention Centre’s Fairmont Ballroom – marked the first time that MDIS offered scholarships for Bachelor Degree programmes.

Guest-of-Honour Madam Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC, who addressed the award recipients and guests said:

“We must strive towards providing learning opportunities for all, regardless of background, to pursue education and career goals so as to achieve success in both spheres.”

Mr Michael Palmer
Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Punggol East

2012: MDIS proudly awarded a S$30,000 Leap Year Baby Scholarship to Adel Bin Mohamed Khidir, the first leap year baby born in 2012, to pursue a degree programme jointly offered by MDIS and its university partners. Introduced in 2004, this is the third time that the scholarship has been presented.

Upholding the spirit of giving, scholarships, study grants and bursaries worth a total of S$485,000 were awarded to 565 recipients at the 17th MDIS Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony.

The event was graced by Mr Michael Palmer, then Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Punggol East SMC.

Mr Baey Yam Keng
Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC

2011: MDIS awarded scholarships and disbursed bursaries worth approximately S$450,000 to 536 receipients at the MDIS 16th Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony, with Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, Mr Baey Yam Keng as Guest-of-Honour.

Ms Jessica Tan
Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC

2010: On 24^th April, MDIS awarded scholarships and disbursed bursaries worth approximately S$500,000 to about 600 recipients at the 15^th Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony 2010.

Ms Jessica Tan, Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC, was the Guest-of-Honour.

Ms Irene Ng
Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC

2009: A cheque for S$250,000 was presented by Dr Eric Kuan, President of MDIS, to His Excellency President S R Nathan during his visit to MDIS Campus on 19^th January. The amount was a donation from MDIS to the President’s Challenge 2009, kick starting its philanthropic activities for the year.

MDIS 14^th Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony was held at the Raffles City Convention Centre on 16^th May. Students from Secondary Schools, Polytechnics, Junior Colleges and Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) all over Singapore attended the event. Despite the recession, MDIS remains resolute to its commitment to education and philanthropy. MDIS disbursed approximately S$450,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries.

Mrs Josephine Teo
Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

2008: MDIS awarded another $30,000 leap year baby scholarship to Adam Jamal Clerk, the first child of Mr Luke Clark and Mrs Naeema Clark.

MDIS took part in the National Youth Achievement Awards project entitled ‘Trees in Istana’ as part of the President’s Challenge. MDIS donated S$6,000 to purchase two photographs depicting the greenery on the grounds of the Istana, the official residence of His Excellency President S R Nathan.

Funds from the Trust are disbursed through Scholarships and Bursaries to the less fortunate but academically deserving students to help them achieve their academic dreams and success. MDIS disbursed approximately S$378,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries.

Mr Zaqy Mohamad
Member of Parliament for Hong Kah GRC

2007: MDIS continued its tradition of helping needy and deserving students who have financial difficulties in pursuing their education. A total of 605 scholarships and bursaries, amounting to nearly S$300,000, were given out on 26^th May.

2006: MDIS held its Scholarship and Bursary Awards 2006 ceremony at the Raffles City Convention Centre on 5th June, where 31 scholarships and 578 bursaries worth more than S$250,000 were presented. The scholarships benefited individuals through organisations like the self-help groups, HomeTeamNS, Singapore Armed Forces Reservist Association (SAFRA), the People’s Association (PA) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). The bursaries were given to students from Secondary Schools, Polytechnics and the Institute of Education.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

2005: MDIS held its Scholarship and Bursary Awards 2005 ceremony at the Raffles City Convention Centre on 4th June. The Guest-of-Honour was Mrs Lim Hwee Hwa, Minister of State for Finance and Transport and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC. Nineteen (19) Scholarships and 352 Bursaries worth S$185,850 were presented. The Scholarships benefited individuals through organisations such as the four self-help groups, HomeTeam NS, Singapore Armed Forces Reservist Association, People’s Association (PA), and National Trade Union Congress (NTUC). The bursaries were presented to students from Secondary Schools, Polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs).

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of State for Finance & Transport and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

2004: MDIS started the Leap Year Baby Scholarship which is a degree scholarship awarded to the first leap year baby born in Singapore on every 29 February. Sponsored by the MDIS Education Trust Fund, the scholarship has a value of S$30,000. Tim Shee Zhe Guang became one of Singapore’s most fortunate leap year babies in 2004.

Tim was born to lucky parents, Mr Mike Shee and Madam Choo Siew Khoon.

Besides to giving out more than S$176,000 worth of Scholarship and Bursaries, MDIS donated S$25,000 to the President's Challenge 2004. MDIS also organised and fully pay for an enrichment camp for over 100 Primary Six pupils from centres in the North and East zones. This programme was part of the MENDAKI Tuition Scheme. In addition, MDIS organised a Car Wash Charity Drive. In total, students and MDIS staff raised, within five weeks, over S$22,000 for the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and the MDIS Education Trust Fund.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of Parliament, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

2003: In 2003, in addition to a quarter of a million dollars given out through the scholarships and bursaries, an additional quarter of a million dollars was pledged to the President's Challenge. The event was graced by His Excellency, President S R Nathan and Mrs S R Nathan.

During the ceremony, MDIS presented Esteemed Friend of MDIS awards to Datin Lee Chee San and Dr Lee Seng Gee, Chairman of Lee Foundation, for their tireless efforts and invaluable support to the Trust Fund and the Institute in many ways.

 

2002: The MDIS Education Trust Fund Charity Draw took place in June 2002. It was to raise funds for the disbursement of more scholarships and bursaries. More than S$110,000 was raised through the Draw. The Trust Fund offered 400 bursaries in 2002.

Mr Chan Soo Sen, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Community Development and Sports, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

2001: Despite the economic downturn, a quarter of a million dollars were disbursed in the form of bursaries and scholarships. The Trust Fund offered 500 bursaries to GCE 'N', 'O', and 'A' Level students, ITE and Polytechnic students. Scholarships were also awarded to individuals through the various organisations.

Mr S Iswaran, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

2000: MDIS extended scholarships to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Through the Trust Fund, an exceptional number of 600 bursary awards were disbursed jointly with other organisations, which were committed towards education and community service.

Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee, Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

1999: The MDIS Education Trust Fund was established on 1st February. Initial funding came from MDIS' surplus (S$500,000) in the past year, as well as a generous contribution from Lee Foundation.

Assoc Prof Low Seow Chay, Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC, was the Guest-of-Honour.

In addition, MDIS and its partner Oklahoma City University, jointly organised a fundraising performance. Proceeds went to the Trust Fund and The Society for the Physically Disabled equally.

 

1998: In October 1998, MDIS pledged a S$30,000 donation to the Clementi Student Service Centre. Given out over a three-year period, the fund assisted in providing a conducive study environment for students from low-income families. The centre was the first of its kind to be managed by students from the Singapore Polytechnic, and was a joint community project of Tanjong Pagar CDC, Clementi Citizens Consultative Committee and the Singapore Polytechnic.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

1997: Scholarships were also offered to members of the HomeTeamNS (then Singapore Police Association for National Servicemen and the Civil Defence Association for National Servicemen). The same year, forty-two (42) bursaries were given out to GCE 'N', 'O', and 'A' Level and ITE students.

Mr Sidek Saniff, Senior Minister of State for the Environment, was the Guest-of-Honour.

 

1996: For the first time in commemoration of MDIS' 41st Anniversary, MDIS offered scholarships to the four self-help groups (CDAC, Yayasan MENDAKI, SINDA and The Eurasian Association).

The aim of the scholarships was to offer opportunities to young professionals of the various ethnic groups to upgrade their academic qualifications and to enhance their knowledge and skills for lifelong employability.

Mr Umar Abdul Hamid, Member, Government Parliamentary Committee for Education and Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC, was the Guest-of-Honour.