SINGAPORE: For the first time, the Information, Communications
and the Arts Ministry has awarded scholarships to seven designers
from various disciplines including fashion, graphics and industrial
design.
And for the third year running, the Media Development Authority
also gave out $1 million in scholarships under its Media Education
Scheme.
Among the 22 MDA scholars are an actress and a film critic-turned
film maker.
The name Teo Kiat Sing may not ring a bell, but you'll recognise
her from a StarHub advertisement, and her roles on MediaCorp's
"Growing Up", "Living with Lydia" and "First Touch"
programmes.
And she has big dreams - which are now closer to being realised
with MDA's scholarship.
She said: "As an actress, I don't think I should be confined to
just one market, the Singapore market. There's a world market and
that's what we should cater to. But I'm very interested in
nurturing the Singapore acting scene, Singapore actors, because
this is where I belong and I believe in Singapore's acting
potential."
Overseas scholars like Kiat Sing must work in a media company in
Singapore for at least two years upon graduation.
To date, $2.6 million has been awarded to 60 Singaporeans since the
Media Education Scheme started two years ago, and this year about
half of the award recipients have opted to study at local
institutions, namely Nanyang Technological University and Ngee Ann
Polytechnic.
30-year-old former film critic and journalist Helmi Yusof is one of
them.
"Because I want to be based here, I want to make films in Singapore
about Singaporeans and NP actually has very good facilities."
And it's not just new creative industries like animation and film
that are getting a leg up.
MDA Chairman, Dr Tan Chin Nam, said: "This year, interestingly
we've got two scholars going into the publishing industry. As you
may know, it's an old and existing industry. But as we revitalise
Singapore, as we create new possibilities for many Singaporeans
under the general umbrella of the creative industries, we're seeing
publishing industry being given a new lease of life."
Over at [email protected], seven design scholars were also
celebrating their scholarship awards.
Among them is Wu Peirong whose designs have caught the eye of 77th
Street entrepreneur Elim Chew.
The former intern at the TODAY newspaper will be studying fashion
design at Central St Martins in London. - CNA/ir