Singapore Press : Strong turnout for Scholarships & Top Universities Fair 2017

Singapore, 23 July 2017 - For the 20,000 potential scholars, prospective university applicants and their parents, all roads today led to Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. They were keen on exploring their options at The Straits Times Scholars' Choice Scholarships & Top Universities Fair 2017, which was held from 10am to 6pm.

This year, the event featured more than 40 exhibitors, representing 31 universities and 10 scholarship boards. The fair is targeted at students seeking scholarships to further their education overseas at prestigious universities in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

At seminars held throughout the day, students and their parents got insights from university personnel and official representatives of scholarship boards.

Syed Tanvir Ashrad, 20, a final-year Republic Polytechnic student studying Aerospace Engineering, said: 'I came here because I had a few questions to ask, mostly concerning studying in UK and Australia. I will finish my studies this year, so I'm planning ahead.'

Scholarship boards at the event included the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the Land Transport Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS), Spring Singapore and MOH Holdings.

Renowned Ivy League universities such as Brown University, University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University were also present, alongside big names from the UK and Australia such as the University of Glasgow and the University of Melbourne.

Among the throng of eager-eyed students browsing through material at the booths was Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student Kimberly Ong, 17, who had already visited the Princeton University and Brown University booths, and planned to check out a few more.

She said: 'It's definitely cleared a lot of doubts, like what the criteria is to be accepted, and whether the universities' quota for admitting international students is by country or by region.'

Ms Susan Tan, 42, Education UK manager at the British Council booth, said: 'We've seen a steady flow of students coming up to us. We've met a lot of well-informed students, and this year we see more students asking about STEM subjects like Engineering and Computing... these are becoming more popular. In previous years, more questions were asked about the humanities.'

Madam Wong Sook Thow, 51, who accompanied her daughter to the fair, read about the fair in The Straits Times. She said: 'I was here a few years ago with my two sons, and now I'm accompanying my daughter.'

Her daughter, a JC2 student at Tampines Junior College who declined to be named, was looking for universities offering a Theatre Studies degree.

Ms Serene Tan, a representative at MOH Holdings' Healthcare Scholarships booth, said: 'We saw quite a number of students and parents the moment the fair started. It was quite crowded from the morning, and parents and students were asking about the scholarships available and their different career tracks.'

Commenting on the event, Ms Elsie Chua, Chief Marketing Officer at SPH, said, 'This year's turnout has been very encouraging, it's wonderful to see so many students going around the booths, looking for insights about universities and scholarship opportunities, finding the best fit for themselves.'

Attachments:

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Co. Registration. No. 198402868E

For more information, please contact the following:

Jolynn Lai (Ms)

Assistant Manager, Brand Communications

Singapore Press Holdings Limited
DID: 6319 3165
Email: jolynnl@sph.com.sg

Eunice Tan (Ms)

Assistant Manager, Brand Communications

Singapore Press Holdings Limited
DID: 6319 5923

Email: teunice@sph.com.sg

Deror Wong (Mr)
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications & CSR
Singapore Press Holdings Limited
DID: 6319 1226
Email: derorw@sph.com.sg

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