The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) was recently proud to welcome to campus the inaugural cohort of 200 pre-university students presented with the Engineering & Tech Programme Scholarship (ETPS), run by the Ministry of Education.
The new scholarship, which lasts for two years, is designed to support young students in pursuing STEM-related higher education and careers.
Five female students from River Valley Junior College were among the first 200 ETPS recipients. All shared that they have set their minds on coming to NUS to take up STEM-related studies, including space technology and computer engineering, among others.
A fellow ETPS recipient, John Ong from NUS High School, shared that engineering can do a lot of good and he hopes the scholarship will enable him to do more.
“I was involved in a ‘Tech for Good’ programme where I had the chance to help create a prototype system to help a paraplegic improve his mobility,” said John, adding that “with ETPS, I hope to get the opportunity to learn more about how I can use engineering to make people’s life easier.”
High hopes for the young
The scholarship presentation ceremony held on 26 July 2023 at the NUS University Cultural Centre was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing.
“We are looking for students with a deep passion for science and engineering,” said Minister Chan, explaining why MOE initiated ETPS.
“We want people who are not just good with theories and abstract concepts. We also want students who have passion, creativity, and gumption to try something new, to build something, tinker with something, improve something.”
Gallery: ETPS scholars discover CDE's programmes and research
A mother who attended the presentation ceremony was pleased for her 17-year-old son, Arshath Bin Haneef from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).
Mdm Fathima Mohd Ismail said: “The [ETPS] scholarship will set my son up for a good start so he can go after what he wants. Thanks to the award, I now have a better understanding of how my son wants to combine engineering and business for his university studies.”
Fellow scholarship recipients Isaac Nanik and Wei Hong Peng from Victoria Junior College said they also shared a desire for turning ideas and passion projects into solutions to help make the world a better place.
“We understand the scholarship programme offers workshops and internships,” said Hong Peng. “We are eagerly hoping to find good mentors that can guide us and help us to see the different fields of engineering.”
After the scholarship presentation ceremony, Minister Chan toured the range of booths and exhibits from NUS and other partner institutions involved in the ETPS initiative, including NTU, SUTD and SIT.
On hand from CDE were booths promoting the College’s undergraduate programmes, as well as exhibits and demonstrations of 22 inspiring CDE projects covering topics ranging from immersive reality and future mobility to smarter living and sustainable cities.
The ETPS scholarship is open to students taking the International Baccalaureate programme and those enrolled in the NUS High School of Math and Science, as well as first-year junior college students.
In addition to workshops and other programmes offered by CDE and other institutions, as well as access to industry internships, the scholarship covers school fees and provides a yearly allowance which can be spent on items such as schoolbooks.
