E-Malt.com News article: Singapore: Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation widens scholarship scope for persons with disabilities

Consistent with its beliefs to enable the community and nurture talents, Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation (APB Foundation) is collaborating with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to widen the scope of its Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities, according to company’s press release, March 6. This new partnership will see the scholarship which was first launched as the Society for the Physically Disabled – Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Scholarship, expanding into one that is not only extended to physically-challenged students but also those with other disabilities such as the hearing and visually impaired.

On the rationale, Mr Koh Poh Tiong, Trustee and Chairman of the Advisory Committee, APB Foundation explained, “The APB Foundation strongly believes that a good education is the key for our youths to ultimately lead financially independent lives and become active contributors to society. Aligned with that belief, the APB Foundation has been financing a Scholarship for physically-disabled students for some four years now. In order to enable the disabled youth community at large, the APB Foundation is keen to expand the scope of the scholarship to render our support to students with other forms of disabilities. We believe that they too should be recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and be accorded with the due credit and support that they deserve in their academic pursuit.”

To date, a total of eight physically-challenged scholars have benefited from the APB Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities. Of these, three scholars have graduated and secured jobs upon their graduation.

Amongst the scholars who are currently under the auspices of the Scholarship is Desmond Ye who is now an undergraduate pursuing his third year studies in Civil Engineering at the Nanyang Technological University. Despite being taunted by his schoolmates in primary school for his congenital skeletal disorder and dwarfism, Desmond braved on and is taking the uncommon route to graduate studies. Desmond entered Singapore Polytechnic and subsequently the Nanyang Technological University, after obtaining outstanding results from Tampines Institute of Technical Education. Now serving his industrial attachment at CPG Corporation Pte Ltd, Desmond did not shy away from site inspection even though he has difficulties walking long distances. His current stint in CPG Corporation has fuelled his passion for the building industry.

Desmond commented, “I have benefited from the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Scholarship and would like to contribute back to the society through possibilities such as financing fellow students for their studies one day. Most importantly, I would like to impress upon other people with disabilities that there is still hope in life for what they want to achieve. ”

Another source of inspiration is Liew Chong Choon. A graduate from the Singapore Management University, Chong Choon has not allowed spinal muscular atrophy to stop him from pursuing a career in social service - he is now working as an Elderly Care Policy Officer of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. Undeterred by his minimal motor ability and driven by a desire to help others, Chong Choon volunteered as a student mentor while in school under the Singapore Management University – British Petroleum Mentoring Scheme. For three years, wheelchair-bound Chong Choon served as a role model and source of inspiration to secondary school students by coaching and organising weekly activities for them.

Thanks to the APB Foundation Scholarship, the financial burden borne by both Desmond and Chong Choon’s families were significantly eased. In fact, Chong Choon embraces the scholarship as one that has spurred him on. He remarked, “The Scholarship has also served as a form of recognition for my hard work and determination. I am touched by APB Foundation’s gesture to enable us to seek to greater achievement and I shall seek to give my best to the community.”

“We are heartened to see that our scholarship programme has been inspirational and has enabled our scholars to serve society in their own ways. We hope that the new scholarship will bring about greater benefits and encourage more disabled students to contribute to the community eventually,” added Mr Koh.

Administered by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities is open to students with good academic results and pursuing their studies at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University and SIM University. APB Foundation will award scholarships to three scholars each year and each scholar will receive an annual sum of S$11,000 and be supported up to a maximum of four years. NCSS also administers scholarships on behalf of Lien Foundation and government scholarships such as the Voluntary Welfare Organisations Charities Capabilities Fund Social Service Scholarship.

Applications for the APB Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities will be opened from the release of the GCE ‘A’ Levels results to 9 May 2008. Applications can be made online via www.brightsparks.com.sg or the NCSS homepage at www.ncss.org.sg. Alternatively, hardcopies of the application forms are available at junior colleges, polytechnics, and Voluntary Welfare Organisations.

About Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation

Instituted in June 1994, the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation (APB Foundation) has been fulfilling APB's philanthropic commitment to society. Its philanthropic intent spans three areas namely Creativity Development, Human Excellence and Humanitarian Causes.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided grants and other forms of support to over 150 initiatives, benefiting disadvantaged homes and charitable organisations, medical research bodies, theatre and music groups and scholarship programmes amongst others.

The APB Foundation envisages a fun and vibrant arts scene in Singapore. It has supported causes that cultivate artistic talent, grow audiences and develop local artistic work. Moving together with the local arts community that has blossomed over the years, the Foundation holds the hope that Singapore will soon join the ranks of nations where diverse local arts groups enjoy strong followings from all sectors of society.

Recognising that Singapore's global competitiveness lies in the hands of its people, the APB Foundation has been investing in Human Excellence causes that are designed to discover and nurture talent, and to build human capital.

The Foundation is hopeful that with its contributions, Singapore can realise an enhanced competitive edge supported by a ready pool of talents, sportsmen, educators, researchers and professionals.

In reaching out to the disadvantaged in the community, the APB Foundation seeks to play a constructive and developmental role in the community, and partners those who share common altruistic goals to better serve societal needs. The Foundation believes in enabling self-help amongst the beneficiaries so that they could rise stronger to move beyond their problems and contribute to their community or society eventually.

The APB Foundation Board of Trustees, assisted by its Advisory Committee, envisions the Foundation to play a constructive and developmental role in the community, and working with partners who share common altruistic goals to better serve societal needs both in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.


07 March, 2008