Scholarships among various ground-led initiatives to help people of Palestine: Shanmugam

Four Palestinians, who are all from Gaza, awarded full scholarships to study in S'pore

- Samuel Devaraj Correspondent

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam meeting three of the Palestinian scholarship holders on Oct 9. Mr Shanmugam said he told them to imbibe as much as they could, study hard and absorb what Singapore has to offer. The fourth recipient was unable to evacuate from Gaza in time for the start of this academic year. The organisers said NUS has offered to hold the spot for the next academic year.

(PHOTO: MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS)

An initiative that offers scholarships to study in Singapore is one of various ground-led efforts to help the people of Palestine, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.

He met three recipients of the Palestinian Scholarship Initiative on Oct 9. Two of the Palestinians are pursuing postgraduate degrees at the Singapore University of Social Sciences and National University of Singapore (NUS), while another is in an undergraduate programme at the Singapore Institute of Management.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Shanmugam noted that there are other initiatives that the Government supports, including an effort to collect funds and items useful for the people in Gaza.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force helped deliver these supplies via air drops.

"People on the ground working hard, constructively, government coming in - we're all working together as a society. This is a very good initiative by the people who came together to bring the students," Mr Shanmugam said.