|
Lee Kong Shen and Glenda Ng both had the honour of receiving the Georgette Chen scholarship from the National Arts Council (NAC).
Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) students have once again come up tops against other educational institutions to be awarded the Georgette Chen scholarship from the NAC. This year’s scholarships were awarded to Lee Kong Shen and Glenda Ng, both final-year Diploma in Technology and Arts Management (DTA) students at the School of Technology for the Arts (STA).
The Georgette Chen Scholarship is offered to first, second and third-year full-time diploma students pursuing studies in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and arts management. Applicants have to undergo a strict interview process, and are assessed based on their academic performance, co-curriculum participation, and the potential and commitment towards the development of the arts in Singapore.
The interview process was a nerve-wreaking one for Kong Shen, who is grateful that he had the guidance of his course facilitators about the possible questions that would be asked during the interview. “I psyched myself up mentally, and was prepared to be grilled during the interview. I knew I had to answer them calmly. I credit my RP facilitators for playing a huge part in guiding me, and I also received a lot of support from family and friends,” he smiles. “Although I was quite confident of getting the scholarship because of my experience and exposure, I didn’t get my hopes up too high. When I finally received news that I was granted the scholarship, I felt that my hard work in these past years had been worth it, and my efforts were recognised,” Kong Shen remembers.
Glenda’s experience was very different. She had actually missed the interview because she was in Shanghai for the International Children’s Festival under ACT3 International, and never expected to be awarded the scholarship. “When I found out I was shortlisted for the interview and that my flight to Shanghai was on the same day, I told myself there was only a slim chance for me. I am thankful that NAC considered me, and believed in me, even though I wasn’t present at the interview.”
Apart from the interview, Glenda and Kong Shen impressed the judging panel with their many extra-curricular activities. “I am currently working with The Esplanade as an Artist Liaison Officer,” adds Glenda.
Both Glenda and Kong Shen hope the scholarship will help them go further in their chosen industry, and have plans to further their studies abroad upon graduation from RP.
| 
