Although it has often been said that there's no free lunch, PUB offered 10
diploma scholarships worth $90,000 that came with no strings attached.
These scholarships were open to 10 students who took up the new
Diploma in Environmental and Water Technology. The three-year full-time
diploma course, which started in April, is available at the Ngee Ann and
Singapore Polytechnics. Five students from each of the two polytechnics
received the scholarships.
Open to local and overseas students who meet the scholarship criteria,
each scholarship, worth about $9,000, will cover the three-year tuition fee,
a laptop allowance of $1,500 and a book allowance of $400 per year.
"To fuel the growth of the water industry, one key factor is to ensure there
are enough well-trained professionals. As the national water agency, PUB
has been leading the way in hiring water professionals. It augurs well for the
future of Singapore's waters to develop a thriving water industry. PUB is
pleased to lend our support to the
development of manpower and
talent in the water industry by
offering these scholarships," said
Mr Lawrence Tan, PUB's Director
of Human Resources.
PUB played an active role in
helping to develop the curriculum
in this newly launched Diploma in
Environmental and Water Technology. Partnering the two polytechnics has allowed PUB to offer
its expertise and PUB will also
offer its facilities for practical,
on-the-job training.
Mrs Grace Quah, Director of
Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Building
and Environment Division, said,
"The prestigious scholarships
offered by PUB will certainly attract
academically strong students who
have the interest and passion to work in the environment and water industry.
Besides, we will be leveraging on PUB's facilities such as NEWater plants and
WaterHub for our students' practical lessons. PUB's expertise in water will
surely benefit them."
The future for those planning to work in the environmental industry is
promising as it is amongst the fastest growing sectors in the world. By 2015, EDB
projects the market potential for the water sector (water/wastewater treatment)
to be around US$400 billion; for waste management (waste treatment and
minimisation, recovery and recycling) US$250 billion; for pollution control
(air pollution treatment, filtration products) US$38 billion and for alternative
energy (solar, biomass, hydrogen) US$300 billion.
The Diploma in Environmental and Water Technology is designed to meet
the demand for environmental technologists to support and help develop the
emerging water and environmental industry.
By RAMAHAD SINGH
