MEL NEWS

The Singapore Maritime Foundation launches joint scholarships with Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Students in maritime related studies from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Management University (SMU) are now eligible to apply for scholarships to pursue a prestigious Master of Science programme.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and the Center for Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL) of Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands to jointly launch the "SMF-MEL Maritime Scholarships".

The Scholarships epitomize and solidify the good and long-standing cooperation between the SMF and MEL, and aim to attract young outstanding talent to the maritime industry as well as to raise awareness on the importance of maritime transport for the global economy and international trade.

Under the MOU, two full scholarships will be offered to Singaporean citizens who have studied at NUS and SMU, to take up the Erasmus Master of Science (MSc) in Maritime Economics and Logistics (MEL).

MEL will waive the full tuition fees (currently set at Euro 18,000 per student per academic year) while the SMF will support the successful candidates with a one time return economy airfare and an allowance estimated at S$12,000 per student to help defray living costs in The Netherlands.

"MEL is happy to join hands with the SMF in offering the scholarships for our MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics," said Professor Hercules E Haralambides, Director of MEL. "The MEL MSc aims at transforming promising young professionals into tomorrow's leaders in business and government."

Professor Hercules added that commitment to cutting edge research is the University's top priority. "This consistently ranks us among the top Universities in the world and we are only too happy to impart this knowledge to students from all over the world," he said

The University's location at Rotterdam, Europe's undisputed heart of transport and logistics, provides other benefits too, Professor Hercules pointed out. Its extensive Corporate Network enables MEL students to seek internship and employment opportunities in the most prestigious 'blue chip' organisations and, in many cases, take advantage of their infrastructure and information systems while writing their theses. "This strengthens the links between industry and academia and provides the scholars with a more comprehensive insight in the global world of maritime transport," Professor Hercules emphasised.

The "SMF-MEL Maritime Scholarships" will be applicable for the new academic year starting November 2005. The SMF will be promoting the scholarships to interested students of the SMU and NUS. The eligibility criteria as well as the terms and conditions of the scholarships may be found on both the websites of the SMF and MEL - www.sgmf.com.sg and www.maritimeeconomics.com

Closing date for applications is 16 June 2006.

Mr Teo Siong Seng, Chairman of SMF, said that the scholarships are in line with the SMF's objectives to foster maritime development by contributing to the training and development of skilled manpower.

"MEL combines shipping, ports and logistics in the academic environment of two of Europe's top Schools: The Rotterdam School of Economics and the Rotterdam School of Management. We hope that the successful candidates will benefit from this opportunity to study and live abroad. We look forward to the contribution of their knowledge and skills to the industry upon their return to Singapore," Mr Teo added.