The National Infocomm Scholarship is a programme in which IDA partners with the infocomm industry to develop a pool of future leaders for the industry. It aims to:
a. make infocomm a career of choice among top students;
b. create 'industry-ready' scholars to be injected into Singapore infocomm industry; and
c. ensure that the industry has a fair share of top talents to sustain and grow its future.
Even as we hone the skills of current infocomm manpower, we need a constant inflow of bright, young people to build the future of the industry.
Some of the distinctive features of the National Infocomm Scholarship are the opportunity for the scholars to be nurtured by leading MNCs, local companies or IDA during their course of study through mentorship, as well as the opportunity for the scholars to be attached to these sponsoring organisations' overseas offices and/or laboratories for 6 months in their final year of study.
The programme also includes the opportunity to go through a sponsored postgraduate study after the undergraduate study for those who perform well.
In addition, the scholars need to serve a 3 years bond (Local scholarship) or 5 years bond (Overseas scholarship) or 4 years bond (Flagship Infocomm Master's scholarship) with the sponsoring organisation instead of the normal 4 or 6 years bond imposed by the other scholarships.
The scholarship is meant for top overseas or local university (NTU, NUS or SMU) study sponsorship and will sponsor the tuition and exam fees, hostel fees, annual allowance, airfare, insurance etc. the cost of up to 6 months overseas attachment as well as post-graduate study for top-performing scholars.
Foreigners who are selected under the full scholarship are required become a Singapore PR and apply for Approval In-Priniciple (AIP) Permanent Residency prior to the departure to country of study. We will provide the support letter for the application of the AIP PR. The duration of the AIP PR is tied to the period of study offered under the scholarship award and final approval* is given after graduation and upon securing local employment.
(*subject to approval of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority)
For the list of sponsoring organisations, please click here.
NIS considers various factors in determining an applicant's suitability. Academic excellence, good CCA track record, passion and interest in a career with the infocomm sector are some of the attributes we are looking for.
Candidates are required to undergo a series of interviews. Shortlisted candidates will go through interviews jointly conducted by IDA & the sponsoring organisations from May till early June.
There is no special disruption from NS for NIS scholars. Under the current NS policy, candidates with less than 6 months remaining in NS may disrupt from NS for their studies.
We strongly encourage you to make an informed decision on the choice of your course. Apart from your interest, you should have a good understanding of the types of job challenges in the infocomm sector. Switching of courses to an unrelated discipline of study will not be allowed. Requests to switch to a related infocomm course will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We provide further sponsorship to top performing scholars to pursue a 1 year post-graduate studies. Application for postgraduate study is subject to the approval of the sponsoring organisation and IDA.
We do not have a quota on the number of scholarships awarded. So far we have awarded 107 scholarships. Last year, 39 scholarships were awarded and given the vibrancy of the Infocomm sector and the demand of infocomm talents, we hope to award even more this year.
Yes. You will be required to serve a:
Similar to all other scholarships, you will be required to pay a calculated amount of Liquidated Damages back to IDA and the sponsoring organisation.
Attachments can only be done with the sponsoring organisation assigned unless approval is obtained from both IDA and the sponsoring organisation.
Countries of attachment vary according to companies and will include USA, Australia, China, etc.
The country of attachment will depend on your sponsoring organisation and the project you're undertaking.
You will be required to indicate the organisations of your preference in your application form submitted. Efforts will be made to allocate you to your preferred organisation if you are selected. However, you may ultimately be placed with an organisation that is not within your choices.
As a National Infocomm Scholar, you have the opportunity to work for a leading MNC, local company or government agencies like IDA and CSIT.
The jobs offered would depend on the sponsoring organisation's assessment of your performance during your studies and the work attachment as well as your preference & the market needs at the time of your graduation.
Applications will open on 1 January 2009 and close on 31 March 2009. For enquiries, please call 1800 752 6669 or email manpower@ida.gov.sg.
