SINGAPORE, 27 September 2024 – Four outstanding undergraduates were awarded the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities at the YMCA this afternoon. Chua Jia Ying, Eugene Seah, Lai Xiong Xing Daniel and Raphaella Renanthera Gautama received the awards from Guest-of-Honour Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of North East District, as well as Mr Kenneth Choo, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation and Managing Director, HEINEKEN Asia Pacific.
Managed by social service agency SPD, the Scholarship is given out by APB Foundation to support the educational aspirations of youths with disabilities. Since the launch of the Scholarship in 2004, the APB Foundation has committed over $2.4 million to fuel the dreams of 63 students with disabilities. Past scholarship recipients include Nominated Member of Parliament Mr Ong Hua Han as well as paralympians Ms Yip Pin Xiu and Mr Toh Wei Soong.
“At APB Foundation, we are deeply committed to creating a world where equal opportunities are a reality for all. It is our privilege to empower young individuals with disabilities as they pursue their dreams and ambitions. Our scholars embody a ‘can-do’ mindset and a spirit of excellence that transcends the ordinary, transforming obstacles into opportunities. It’s incredibly inspiring to witness the personal and professional accomplishments of our scholars, both past and present. Through this scholarship, we aim not only to recognise their remarkable achievements but also to encourage and uplift them as they reach for even greater heights. Their journey is a testament to the boundless potential within us all, and we are profoundly honoured to support these remarkable individuals as they inspire the world with their unwavering determination and exceptional achievements,” said Mr Kenneth Choo.
One of the four scholarship recipients this year is 24-year-old Mr Eugene Seah. He was born with Apert Syndrome, a condition that causes abnormal head shape and facial features. Mr Seah remains confident of his own abilities and was never ashamed of his appearance. “Due to my condition, I spent most of my childhood in hospitals. This gave me a deeper appreciation of the dedication shown by the medical professionals and social workers who invested much time and effort in me and my family. This Scholarship will enable me to pursue a career that will allow me give back to the society,” said Mr Seah, a second-year social work undergraduate at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Mr Daniel Lai, 22, is another award recipient this year. Living on the autism spectrum, Mr Lai, who was accepted into the Gifted Education Programme, faced challenges when transitioning from a special education school to mainstream education. A teacher once had to teach him about social norms after he kept flicking lights switches out of boredom. Leading an accessibility mapping project with the NUS Enablers today, Mr Lai said: “I hope to continue improving accessibility for people with disabilities by working in organisations that design user-friendly and inclusive solutions for all. I believe this Scholarship can help me achieve this.”
Ms Raphaella Renanthera Gautama, 20, and Ms Chua Jia Ying, 23, join Mr Seah and Mr Lai in this year’s honour roll. Ms Gautama, who has a rare genetic condition causing abnormal bone growth in muscle and tissues is a first-year Bachelor of Arts (linguistics and multilingual studies) student at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Ms Chua, who has moderate hearing loss in both ears, is in her final year of real estate studies at NUS.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our long-time partner, APB Foundation, in recognising the potential of our scholars and investing in the future of youths. Their generous contributions do not just benefit the youths and their families, we also hope that this enduring partnership serves as a powerful testimony and inspire other corporates to step forward and do their part for the community,” said Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Chief Executive Officer, SPD.
The Scholarship comes with a S$12,000 quantum, disbursed in two equal payments annually, to help cover the recipients’ tuition fees in any of the six local universities. A Special Assistance Fund of S$3,000 is extended to awardees from low-income families to provide additional support. To qualify for the Scholarship, applicants must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents and have a permanent disability. They also need to have good academic records, satisfy admission requirements of tertiary institutions, and demonstrate commitment to serve the disabled community.
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