Singapore Alumni Scholarship

Applications closed
Amount

$5,000

Number available

5

Closing date

24 February 2024

Scholarship details

Donor

Singapore Citizens and/or Permanent Residents who studied at the University of Newcastle and made a Donation to the Singapore Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Establishment

The Singapore Alumni Scholarship was established in 2011 by a committee of Singapore Alumni, chaired by Dr Peter Tay. This Singapore Alumni Scholarship Committee initiated fund-raising from Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who studied at the University of Newcastle. It is the intent that these scholarships be used to assist gifted students who are overcoming adversity to study at the University of Newcastle.

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be academically gifted but are also facing hardship from factors such as being from a low socio-economic background, coming from a rural or remote area, living with disabilities, or carer and/or parenting responsibilities.

Donations for this Singapore Alumni Scholarship have come from Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are UON Alumni. These individuals take great pride in the achievements of Singapore and value their relationship with UON. They hope that this Scholarship will further strengthen the relationship between Singapore and Australia. The University of Newcastle expects beneficiaries of this Scholarship to respect the values and aspirations of those who have made this very generous donation.

The history of the Singapore Alumni Scholarships would not be complete without a special mention of UON alumnus and generous donor, Dr Peter Tay, who was instrumental in the establishment, governance and fundraising of the Singapore Alumni Scholarship Fund that supports these scholarships. Peter showed exceptional leadership with his peer-to-peer fundraising efforts and from 2011 until today, Peter has tirelessly rallied his fellow Singapore alumni from UON to donate towards the Fund. After three fund-raising campaigns, the Singapore Alumni Scholarship Fund needed A$170,000 to reach its target. Peter spearheaded a Golden Jubilee campaign, as part of the 50th anniversary of the University in 2015. That goal was achieved and surpassed, and the fund has now reached over A$500,000 and can support at least five students each year. Peter continues to consistently update his fellow Singapore Alumni on the Fund, showing them the impact that their donations is making to students in need.

Students applying for this scholarship should also consider applying for the Shaping Futures Scholarship.

Past recipients of the Singapore Alumni Scholarship may consider applying for the Singapore Alumni (follow on) Scholarship and the Catherine and Peter Tay for Singapore Alumni (follow on) Scholarship.

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:

  • Be enrolled in any year of an undergraduate degree program at the University of Newcastle.
  • Be enrolled full-time.
  • Demonstrate academic achievement or potential either by an ATAR of 75 or higher for commencing students, or GPA of 5.0 for continuing students.
  • Demonstrate the impact of educational disadvantage such as carer and sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, long-term medical condition, a disability, the ongoing effects of abuse, regional/remote disadvantage, English language difficulty.
  • Equity scholarships will also consider applicant attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having a Refugee background, or placement with an Out-of-Home Care provider.
  • If successful, be willing to submit an essay of approximately 400 words on Singapore and one or more aspects of its people, economy, geography, history, culture, political system etc.

Required Documentation

Required documents will be listed on the ‘Your Documents’ page of your application. The application portal accepts PDF only. A maximum of 3 PDF smaller than 5 MB can be added per document type upload field.

  • A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you. This statement will cover all scholarships you are submitting for.
  • You may be required to provide documents to support your educational disadvantage claims. These will be identified when you apply based on your individual application responses.

Benefit

These scholarships are valued at $5000 each. These will be paid as a lump sum after the semester one census date.

Selection

Selection of the scholar/s will be on the basis of:

  • Academic merit, namely Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent or cumulative GPA.
  • Assessment of required written statement and any provided supporting documentation.
  • Consideration for students in STEM and Business programs for the CHIN Swui Sen for Singapore Alumni Scholarship in STEM or Business studies.
  • Interview by Selection Committee if required.

There is an essay requirement for the successful scholarship recipient.

Recipients of the Singapore Alumni Scholarship are required to write a 400-word Singapore essay following acceptance of the scholarship. This will be due within 3 weeks of receiving the scholarship offer.

The essay will be of a suitable academic standard and properly referenced. Scholars agree that the essay is their own work and no part of it has been generated and/or copied from generative Ai Tools.

The essay is to provide an opportunity for scholars to learn more about Singapore and appreciate the country that the scholarship donors were born in and are immensely proud of. They write:

“It is hoped that by reading, reflecting, analysing, and writing on one aspect of Singapore’s people, economy, geography, history, culture, political system, etc, that the scholar can gain insight in to Singapore and what makes it tick. For instance, how did Singapore become successful given its being potentially fragmented society of many races, religions, cultures with four official languages (English and three major Asian languages), possibly pulling in several different directions? At a geopolitical level, how did Singapore become so successful, despite it being a small island, surrounded by big neighbours and maintain its Asian identity, despite English being the lingua franca, and therefore exposed to Western culture. While holding a view or expressing an opinion is encouraged, students should not use the essay to advocate changing Singapore society or how its people conduct itself. While critical thinking is encouraged, scholars are asked to approach the task respectfully and not use the essay as opportunity to advocate changing Singapore society and culture.”

College

Contact Details

Admissions and Scholarships
Student and Academic Services
University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

Phone: +61 2 4921 5000
Email: scholarships@newcastle.edu.au