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Straits Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
One challenge after another, but ITE student still finds ways to shine
After escaping a childhood of abuse, Ms Azaleagrace Teo has made an impact in and out of school. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM More than Grades One challenge after another, but ITE student still finds ways to shine Behind every academic result is a young person quietly chasing their dreams, beating the odds, and hoping to make something of themselves. In More than Grades, a monthly series by The Straits Times, we tell the stories of youth who are making waves in school and beyond. SINGAPORE – When she was 15, Ms Azaleagrace Teo made the brave decision to confide in a counsellor at her secondary school after suffering almost seven years of abuse from her father. Within two weeks, she was uprooted from her home, and was subsequently, over the years, moved at least eight times across different care facilities. These included stays at foster homes, an interim placement and assessment centre, the Institute of Mental Health and the HCSA Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre, a therapeutic group home. Grappling with ending ties with her family and being relocated so many times took a toll on the young girl's studies. She repeated her Secondary 4 year at Deyi Secondary School, delaying her graduation. She eventually enrolled at ITE College East in 2021, and found out she had to support herself financially when she was moved to a student hostel in Evans Road. Though only 18 at the time, she had to start paying rent and being self-sufficient. While still studying, Ms Teo joined a web solutions start-up, where she learnt about web development to create web and mobile apps from scratch, using a no-code platform called Bubble. 'In my first year, I was earning only $500 a month and heavily dependent on short-term sources of financial support to scrape by for rent and food,' she said. Adjusting to her new reality of having to fend for herself, Ms Teo did not take part in any school activities, and spent her free time working and honing her skills in web development. Ms Azaleagrace Teo at the HCSA Dayspring centre in 2018, a residential treatment centre for girls. PHOTO: COURTESY OF AZALEAGRACE TEO Choosing the harder path for her future After completing her Nitec course in urban greenery and landscape, she was faced with a tough decision. She had to choose between a work-study diploma, where she could earn a decent salary while studying, or sign up for a Higher Nitec course in interactive design at ITE College Central, where her passion lay. But this would mean juggling work and studies for another two years. She chose the latter. Calling it a decision made in turmoil, Ms Teo said she had to choose what would be better for her 30 or 40 years down the road. While there are those who may be able to make mid-career switches, she doubted if she would have the financial resources to do so. 'That's why I ultimately decided to go down the much harder path, doing what I love, instead of choosing something that was a much easier fix at the time,' she said. Ms Teo went on to ace her studies, graduating from the Institute of Technical Education in 2025 with a perfect grade point average of 4. On May 22, she was also one of 10 recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Model Student Award, given to students who have performed consistently well, and displayed 'outstanding conduct and attitude worthy of emulation by their peers'. Ms Azaleagrace Teo was one of 10 recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Model Student Award on May 22. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Ms Teo said that because of the support and care she received from her peers and teachers at ITE College Central, she was encouraged to do more than get through the daily grind of school, despite her challenging circumstances. Ms Teo, who has an older sister, has not been in touch with her mother since she was 12. 'I realised that I actually do have something that I want to work towards, and I had the capacity and the ability to do more than just the day to day,' she said. Using her leadership skills, Ms Teo, as vice-president of ITE College Central's yoga club, managed yoga sessions, team-building events and co-curricular activity roadshows. She represented the ITE at the M1 Asia Pacific Golf 2024 fund-raising event, where she and a schoolmate shared their personal stories of financial hardship and helped to raise $308,000 for the ITE Education Fund. She also co-organised a roadshow which brought together more than 200 students to promote racial harmony and led publicity efforts for the 2024 ITE Student Leaders Forum. Today, she still volunteers with Owena, the alumni association of her former therapeutic group home at HCSA Dayspring, where she serves as secretary and helps organise events to support trauma survivors. Ms Teo speaking at an event in July 2024 to thank donors who supported the ITE Education Fund. PHOTO: ITE Mr Kevin Chin, manager of the interactive design course at ITE College Central, said that despite coming from a challenging background, Ms Teo never allowed that to define her potential. 'In moments where she could have just given up or played her pity card, she didn't. She showed grit,' he said, adding that Ms Teo's academic performance was consistent across various subjects and disciplines. 'She was a student in the School of Design and Media. 'But she also took business modules, and she excelled in those as well,' he added. Now a first-year student pursuing a diploma in media, arts and design at Singapore Polytechnic, Ms Teo is keen to continue her work supporting fellow trauma survivors, while working and studying. Reflecting on her own experience and struggles, she said that her wounds will never completely heal, but she has learnt to cope by taking things one day at a time. She hopes to pass on this lesson to others. 'Where you've come from does not determine where you will go,' she said. 'There is light at the end of the tunnel, but when it's so dark, it's very difficult to know when you will reach there... but ultimately we'll reach where we are meant to be.' Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore's education landscape. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PSB Academy launches S$2.1m Beyond60 initiative to fully fund education scholarships for 30 recipients selected through the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE, United Women Singapore, and Care Corner Singapore
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 May 2025 - PSB Academy (PSBA), Singapore's leading private education institution (PEI), today announced its over S$2.1 million initiative as it spearheads advocacy for education to be inclusive, and to provide equal opportunities for all. This is in celebration of Singapore's 60th birthday which focuses on shared values such as boldness, resilience, and openness to unite and progress against the odds over the past six decades. It embodies PSBA's Beyond60 commitment, empowering individuals to look forward, craft their future, and truly 'write your own next 60'. Through the PSB Academy Beyond60 Scholarships initiative PSBA and its university partners will award full scholarships to up to 30 deserving recipients selected by the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE Ltd (raiSE), and United Women Singapore (UWS), and Care Corner Singapore. The scholarships will cover the course of their educational programme which may range from six months to four years, depending on the course selected. The Scholarships for raiSE social enterprises aim to strategically strengthen capabilities of leaders within the sector, enabling a multiplier effect that deepens and scales the positive impact on the communities they empower. The partnership with UWS will provide young women from local polytechnics the opportunity to pursue higher education in STEM and/or other related disciplines. Similarly, the collaboration with Care Corner will support youths preparing for their N and O Levels, those in Nitec, and at-risk youths, helping them achieve their academic aspirations. Scholarships will be awarded in multiple tranches for recipients to commence their courses from as early as second half of this year and as late as December 2026. 'PSB Academy, raiSE, UWS, and Care Corner are united by a single, common goal of providing equal opportunities for Singaporeans to progress. We will together identify well-deserving individuals to receive these scholarships, individuals who may otherwise not have the resources to pursue further education to develop their skills and capabilities. As Singapore continues to grow, we must ensure that prosperity extends to more members of the community. It is only when we progress together, that we truly succeed as a society,' said Derrick Chang, Chief Executive Officer, PSB Academy. Recognising the significant growth in public awareness of social enterprises in Singapore (from 13% in 2010[1] to 72% by 2020[2]), raiSE aims to inspire a wider adoption of these impactful business models. Guided by the principle that good business delivers positive impact, empowering leaders is key. These scholarships strategically equip both new and experienced leaders with the essential expertise, strategic foresight, and valuable networks required for impactful development and sustainable expansion within Singapore's social enterprise landscape. 'raiSE firmly believes that social enterprises represent the future of business. Partnering with PSB Academy on these scholarships is a strategic investment in the human capital driving this change. By enhancing the capabilities of the qualifying Social Enterprise founders, we are directly fueling their ability to build sustainable and impactful businesses that address critical social needs in Singapore,' said Alfie Othman, Chief Executive Officer, raiSE. 'Empowering young women in underrepresented fields like STEM is key to building an inclusive, progressive society. While progress has been made in Singapore, there's more to do. That's why partnerships like ours with PSB Academy are so important – we're closing the gap by equipping young women with the tools, access, and confidence to thrive,' said Tan Ching Ne, President of United Women Singapore. 'Some young people take longer to discover their aspirations or may not thrive within conventional academic routes. This collaboration offers them a crucial second chance — an alternate pathway to pursue higher education and build a better future for themselves. At Care Corner, we believe that with the right support, every youth has the potential to thrive. We hope this scholarship will open doors for those who simply need an opportunity to catch up, keep going, and dream big.' said Christian Chao, Chief Executive Officer, Care Corner Singapore. In 2023, around 17,000 youth[3], aged 15 to 24, in Singapore were not in school, work or training. Later this year, PSBA will organise a celebration to officially recognise and award scholarships to the recipients. All certifications and Diplomas offered by PSBA, as well as Bachelor's and Master's degrees by the Academy's university partners are from the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. This includes Coventry University, University of Hertfordshire, Edinburgh Napier University, La Trobe University, the University of Newcastle Australia, Edith Cowan University, and Massey University. Applications for scholarships through raiSE, UWS, and Care Corner are now open and will close 31 December 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact raiSE, UWS, and Care Corner directly to learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process. Building upon its legacy of 60 years of excellence, PSBA celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary last year by supporting over 2,000 adult learners in Singapore with more than S$3.5 million in Diamond Jubilee Education Grants for upskilling and reskilling. In the coming months, PSBA will be hosting a series of public engagement activities to cultivate a more inclusive and accessible learning environment. These activations will invite all members of the public to participate in hands-on experiences across the various disciplines offered at the Academy. By fostering greater community involvement, the Academy aims to showcase the core values of accessibility and inclusivity that define it as Asia's Future Academy. Further details regarding these activities will be provided in due course. In April 2025, PSBA unveiled its third city campus in Singapore at The Cathay as well as inking an Memorandum of Understanding to offer industry-relevant programmes in collaboration with Coventry University and COSEM, a cooperative of Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to train more paramedicine professionals to address the nation's ricing emergency call volumes and workforce shortages.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
After a heart condition ended his dreams of flying, he turned from airspace to architectural space
Mr Nikhkil is enrolled in Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Design (DES) program with a specialisation in Architecture. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKHKIL RAI After a heart condition ended his dreams of flying, he turned from airspace to architectural space The TL;DR: When a heart condition dashed Mr Nikhkil Rai's childhood dream of becoming a pilot, he found a new calling in architectural spaces, instead of airspace. Mr Nikhkil Rai had for a long time dreamed of soaring through the skies as a pilot in a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fighter jet. While other children played with toys or games, he immersed himself in videos of aircraft and pestered his uncle, who was a former RSAF pilot, with endless questions about flying. When he was 17, his hopes of becoming a pilot were dashed. During a pre-enlistment national service (NS) medical screening in 2020, he was flagged and eventually diagnosed with Brugada syndrome – a rare but potentially life-threatening condition which sees the lower chambers of the heart beat fast and irregularly. This increases the risk of fainting and sudden cardiac arrest. 'I felt numb. I could not believe that out of everyone, I would be unlucky enough to have this heart condition,' said Mr Nikhkil, who does not need to take medication for the condition, but attends annual check-ups to monitor his heart's electrical activity. His new passion is in a different kind of space, rather than airspace. The aspiring building information modeller enjoys using modelling software to see designs in a three-dimensional space, instead of two-dimensional floor plans. In May, Mr Nikhkil, 22, received the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, which is awarded to top graduates at polytechnics who had come from ITE. Going from ITE to a polytechnic, he found that the deadlines for assignments were tighter and there were more group projects and interviews he had to conduct. He said that it pushed him to improve his time management skills and become more outspoken when interacting with new people. He graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) with a diploma in design, specialising in architecture. 'Architecture became my creative outlet,' he said, after the diagnosis of his heart condition. 'It was a world to be explored.' To cope with the setback, he threw himself into his studies, first at ITE College Central, where he received a Nitec in architectural technology, and then at NP. Art and design interested him because they were related to his childhood ambition to be a pilot – he loved sketching planes. At the RSAF 55 Open House in September 2023, he gifted a hand-drawn picture of the McDonnell Douglas F-15SG Eagle fighter jet to Captain Gary Liang, the pilot who flew the aircraft. While studying at ITE, h e started seeing spaces differently, noticing areas that could be improved to support inclusivity. His designs started to become more wheelchair-friendly , as well as catered to the elderly and people with mobility issues. Mr Nikhkil's three-year diploma studies in design at Ngee Ann Polytechnic increased his passion for human-centric approach to architecture. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKHKIL RAI His three-year diploma studies in design at NP increased his passion for human-centric approach to architecture. For example, he learnt to consider the needs of different users of the building to decide on the amount of lighting that should be provided. Outside of school, he volunteers at grassroots events in Geylang, where he has noticed the struggles of the elderly around him like how they 'avoid places with only stairs,' and how 'noisy and crowded places can be stressful'. These observations remind him to include soundproof walls and grab bars for elderly-focused designs in the future. While Mr Nikhkil is looking forward to pursuing a bachelor's degree in architecture and eventually a career in building information modelling, flying continues to excite him. Mr Nikhkil presents his drawing of a McDonnell Douglas F-15SG Eagle fighter jet to Captain Gary Liang during the RSAF 55 Open House in September 2023. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKHKIL RAI But he has to be content with loving it from a distance. He continues attending open houses organised by the Singapore Youth Flying Club and RSAF, where he sketches aircraft models on display or simply appreciates their beauty. Mr Nikhkil said: 'Although it still hurts that I can't be a RSAF pilot, my love for aviation outweighs the pain. Anyway, I am happy with architecture.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
