OCBC puts S$1 million towards fulfilling youths’ career dreams

EVERY year, for the last 60 years or so, OCBC has committed funds to scholarships to help students go further in their studies. The bank does not even put a bond on some of the scholarships it hands out, and it remains the only Singapore bank that does this.

This year, it has put S$1 million towards the cause, and among the more than 15 recipients of its no-bond scholarships are an aspiring lawyer and a piano teacher.

Valued at S$11,000 a year, the OCBC Local Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to Singaporean students with an outstanding academic record and leadership qualities, among other attributes.

OCBC’s head of Group Human Resources, Lee Hwee Boon, said: “Through the OCBC Scholarship Programme, we seek to develop and empower talented individuals who may face challenges in furthering their education due to financial pressures. By removing such barriers, our scholarships allow recipients to pursue their goals and aspirations to realise their full potential.”

One of this year’s recipients is Matthew Lim, 21, who lost his father to leukaemia when he was 12. An aspiring lawyer and debater throughout school, he will pursue a law degree at the Singapore Management University. He said: “Choosing a career path is a challenging decision. The bond-free feature of the OCBC scholarship programme is particularly attractive as it gives me the flexibility to explore various paths, while also exposing me to the banking sector.”

Fellow recipient, Jovanna Yam, 19, wants to be a piano teacher and will pursue a degree in instrumental and vocal teaching at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She added: “My parents have always been supportive of my passion for music, making sacrifices to ensure that I can chase my dreams. The OCBC Scholarship enables me to focus on my aspirations, while reducing the financial burden on my family.”