28 September 2006, Straits Times

ST JOSEPH'S Institution (SJI) International students from Singapore and around the region will receive $3 million worth of scholarships pledged by individuals and organisations - and a third of it will be from one SJI old boy.

Well-known Indonesian tycoon Anthoni Salim has put up $1 million to provide scholarships for Indonesian and Singaporean students who wish to read Bahasa Indonesia as part of their studies at the new SJI International in Thomson Road, which opens its doors next January.

The school will also set up the Salim-SJI International Centre for Indonesian Language and Culture.

Minister for National Development and another SJI alumni, Mr Mah Bow Tan, acknowledged the contributions of the 12 individual and corporate donors from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand who together pledged the $3 million to provide scholarships to 'promising bright students' at SJI International.

Other scholarship sponsors include the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), which will sponsor up to five regional students a year.

SJI International aims to eventually provide scholarships and financial assistance to at least 20 per cent of its students.

Mr Mah was speaking yesterday at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between SJI and the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Held at the Singapore Arts Museum - former SJI campus - the signing cemented a promise by the EDB to provide assistance and support to the new institution.

Approved by the Ministry of Education this year, SJI International is Singapore's third privately funded school. It will offer the International Baccalaureate programme to boys and girls from around the region.

It will be the first time in almost 50 years that the traditionally male school will welcome girls.

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