2011-07-11 18:25 
SINGAPORE, July 11, 2011
/PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Overseas Union Enterprise Limited (OUE)
announced a landmark partnership with the Singapore Institute of
Technology (SIT) to provide SIT hospitality students with
scholarships worth a total of S$2 million. The official signing
ceremony for the scholarship deal was held at Mandarin Orchard
Singapore.
The scholarships aim to reward
outstanding SIT hospitality students, in keeping with the
institution's commitment to remain strongly industry-relevant. OUE
will grant SIT S$200,000 per annum over a period of 10 years with
committed scholarship grants totalling S$2 million.
Professor Tan Chin Tiong, President,
SIT said, "OUE's commitment to sponsor deserving SIT hospitality
students is a great encouragement to us. We have consistently said
that being with SIT promises an industry-relevant education and we
reinforce this by actively seeking industry support for our
students. The SIT-Overseas Union Enterprise Limited Scholarship is
testament to the belief that our industry partners have in the
quality of our students."
OUE is a key prime property
developer in strategic locations in Singapore's commercial,
hospitality, retail and residential sectors. Recent projects by OUE
include an extensive makeover of Mandarin Gallery, the launch of
Twin Peaks -- Singapore's first luxury residential development that
is fully furnished with designer pieces, and the redevelopment of
iconic One Raffles Place and OUE Bayfront (including auxiliary
properties -- OUE Tower and OUE Link) on historic Collyer Quay.
Landmark acquisitions include DBS Building Towers One and Two, and
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel.
"We are privileged to partner with
an esteemed institution such as SIT in elevating Singapore's
hospitality and culinary excellence through this long-running
scholarship programme," said Dr Stephen Riady, Executive Chairman
of OUE. "Travel and tourism continue to be an integral part of
Singapore's economy, and we at OUE are committed to nurturing this
exciting growth by equipping deserving hospitality students with
the educational development they need to become tomorrow's industry
leaders."
Meritus Hotels & Resorts, whose
portfolio includes the flagship property Mandarin Orchard Singapore
where the signing ceremony was held, is the hospitality division of
OUE. Key executives from the iconic hospitality brand will take
part in the screening and selection of scholars, and also pledge to
provide training and employment opportunities to graduates under
the scholarship programme as the group expands globally. Meritus'
current portfolio also includes Marina Mandarin Singapore, Meritus
Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi in Malaysia, and in
China-Shanghai JC Mandarin, Meritus Mandarin Haikou, and Meritus
Shantou China.
New developments being eyed by the
hospitality group span fast-growing business and tourism hubs in
Southeast Asia, China, and Europe.
Meritus Hotels & Resorts CEO, Mr
Michael Sengol said, "Raising the bar higher for industry standards
in Singapore would require that we address the shortage of
high-calibre talent in the local arena. It is only then that
Singapore can optimise opportunities from what continues to be
amongst the world's largest, most dynamic, fastest-growing
industries. It is a responsibility that we at Meritus Hotels &
Resorts are proud to share, being the forerunners of world-class
Asian hospitality in Singapore."
The SIT-Overseas Union Enterprise
Limited Scholarship is open to all of SIT's current and future
hospitality degree programmes. To date, SIT offers two hospitality
degree programmes: the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' (UNLV)
Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration, and The Culinary
Institute of America's (CIA) Bachelor of Professional Studies in
Culinary Arts Management. Future hospitality degrees are in the
pipeline as SIT continues discussions with potential overseas
university partners.
UNLV Chief Academic Officer, Dr.
Nicholas J. Thomas said, "UNLV would like to acknowledge and thank
Overseas Union Enterprise Limited for their commitment to educating
future leaders of Singapore's hospitality and tourism industry.
Through UNLV Singapore's partnership with the Singapore Institute
of Technology, we look forward to having the best and brightest
apply to our undergraduate program as part of this new scholarship
framework."
Looking forward to the availability
of the hospitality scholarship, CIA Managing Director Chef, Eve
Felder said, "The support offered by our industry partners, through
scholarships, provides a valuable conduit for qualified and
passionate students to realize their career goals as well as for
the industry to ultimately have educated professionals as
employees. The Culinary Institute of America is thrilled to be the
college of choice for students who will be the leaders in the food
and beverage industry. We appreciate OUE's support of the students
in fulfilling their dreams."
Applications for SIT-OUE Hospitality
Scholarships are open to Citizens and Permanent Residents of
Singapore who are pursuing a full-time hospitality degree programme
with SIT. To apply or for more information, visit www.singaporetech.edu.sg.
Notes to
Editors
About Singapore Institute of
Technology
SIT was established by the Ministry
of Education in 2009 to provide upgrading opportunities primarily
for polytechnic graduates. In consultation with various government
agencies, SIT has brought to Singapore some of the best degree
programmes in the world by partnering reputable overseas
universities. These programmes are highly industry-focused and
targeted at key growth sectors of the economy.
SIT is committed to a unique
tri-partite collaborative model with the overseas university
partners and the five local polytechnics to offer polytechnic
graduates more opportunities for learning at tertiary level.
Additionally, SIT's unique 'distributed campus' model means that
programmes are conducted at SIT facilities within each polytechnic,
allowing for greater synergy and efficiency with regards to
infrastructure and facilities.
SIT students are assessed
holistically for both academic excellence and passion. All students
are conferred the exact same degree as their counterparts at the
home universities and are required to undergo an overseas immersion
programme at their respective overseas university's home
campus.
At steady state, SIT aims to take in
at least 2000 full-time students per academic year. There are plans
to eventually offer part-time degree programmes to cater to
full-time working professionals.
About Overseas Union
Enterprise Limited
Overseas Union Enterprise Limited
(SGX-ST: "OUE") is a diversified real estate owner, developer, and
operator with a portfolio of prime assets in strategic locations in
Singapore, and hotels in Singapore, Malaysia and the People's
Republic of China. As a fully integrated developer, OUE focuses its
business across the commercial, hospitality, retail, and
residential sectors -- primarily in Singapore as a key city for
asset growth.
With its core strategy of investing
in and enhancing a distinctive stable of versatile developments,
OUE continues to build a portfolio with a strong recurrent income
base, balanced with development profits to enhance long-term
shareholder value.
For more information and the latest
news from OUE, visit www.oue.com.sg.
SOURCE Overseas Union Enterprise
Limited