$200k raised for full-ride scholarship for Palestinian students

A ground-up effort to sponsor Palestinian students to complete further studies in Singapore has raised half of its $400,000 target so far.

- Anjali Raguraman

Called the Palestinian Scholarship Initiative, the full-ride scholarship will sponsor two Palestinian students to pursue tertiary education at universities here, covering tuition, lodging and living expenses. The first students are expected to commence their studies in the 2025 academic year.

Fund raising that began in October 2024 has garnered more than 900 individual donations, averaging over $200 as at March 11.

Donations have ranged from $3 to $20,000, said the organisers - a group of Singaporeans - in a media statement.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong joined partners of the Palestinian Scholarship Initiative at a briefing and iftar (breaking of fast) at Pu3 restaurant on March 18. It included students from participating universities, charity platform Ray of Hope, Arab Network of Singapore and volunteers.

"This initiative will provide opportunities for Palestinian students to pursue university education in Singapore, empowering them to uplift their families and communities," said PM Wong in a Facebook post.

The scholarship's administration committee is co-chaired by former Nominated MP and social entrepreneur Anthea Ong and former Cabinet minister Yaacob Ibrahim.

It also includes Dr Ang Swee Chai, co-founder of Medical Aid for Palestinians; Dr Gul Inanc, founder of education initiative Opening Universities for Refugees; and Dr Khaled Dawas, a British-Palestinian surgeon and honorary associate professor at University College London.