Mothercare Singapore, a leading specialist retailer of
quality childcare and maternity products, is celebrating its 30th anniversary
in Singapore by pledging S$1,000,000 to encourage and recognise the efforts of NIE
students dedicated to education research and teaching through The Tan Poey Quee
Teaching Excellence Fund.
The Fund will be matched with an equal amount by the
Singapore Government, bringing the total sum to S$2 million. Through the Fund,
which will be administered by the National Institute of Education (NIE), of
Nanyang Technological University, one scholarship, one student achievement
award and three book prizes will given out to selected NIE students each year.
The Fund includes The Tan Poey Quee Doctor in
Education (NIE-EdD) Scholarship of S$36,000, which is awarded to a doctoral
student who shows high potential for good academic achievement and for contributions
to education. The top graduating EdD student each year will also receive a S$1,000
Gold Medal Award, while the EdD student with the best dissertation will receive
a S$500 book prize.
In addition, The Tan Poey Quee Practicum Book Prize
Awards, worth up to S$500 each, for the Degree and Diploma programmes will be
given to student teachers who excel during teaching practicum in schools.
NIE will assess all candidates and award the
scholarships, gold medal awards and book prizes based on a set of selection
criteria. The Fund was named after Mothercare Singapore chairman Mr Pang Kim
Hin’s late mother, who had a deep passion for education and teacher
professional development.
Speaking at Mothercare Singapore’s 30th anniversary
dinner held at Marina Mandarin Hotel, Mr Pang said: “Having benefited from Singapore’s
success and prosperity over the past 50 years, there’s no better way for
Mothercare to give back to Singapore than to shape the future of our nation
through an education fund.”
“The Tan Poey Quee Teaching Excellence Fund will go a
long way to encourage educators and education leaders to go into research,
while spurring talented student teachers to strive for excellence,” he added.
Professor Tan Oon Seng, Director, NIE, said: “The late
Madam Tan Poey Quee’s passion for education is a further testament that
education is a foundation to the success of every nation shared by many of our
SG 50 pioneers who helped to forge a nation of independence. Through the Tan
Poey Quee Teaching Excellence Fund, and one scholarship, one student
achievement award and three book prizes will be launched to further instil the
teaching spirit in our teacher preparation and professional development programmes
at every level in NIE. We are deeply heartened by the generosity of the late
Madam Tan and her family. Our congratulations to Mothercare Singapore on their
30th anniversary. It is an honour for NIE Singapore to be included on this
momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a long-lasting relationship to
foster greater learning aspirations and fresh education prospects together.”
Mothercare Singapore currently serves 30 million
parents across Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, through the provision of
quality child care and maternity products, from sleep pillows for pregnant
mothers to baby sleep suits. This would not have been possible without the
vision, commitment and dedication of its management and staff, and more importantly
the support of its customers over the past 30 years.
By the third quarter this year, customers will be able
to look forward to a new online store, where they can shop for quality
Mothercare products from the comfort of their homes. “Through the store, we
hope to cater to the busy lives of young parents who may not have time to visit
the malls,” Mr Pang said.
In addition, Mothercare plans to expand its footprint
in high growth countries such as Vietnam. “In existing markets such as
Singapore, Mothercare will continue to invest in new stores in suburban malls
such as Seletar Mall to serve young families,” Mr Pang added.
About Mothercare
Singapore
Mothercare is one of
the world’s biggest and most trusted retail specialists in newborn and
parenting products. From its first Singapore store in CentrePoint in 1984, it
has grown to serve 30 million customers through 35 stores across Singapore,
Malaysia and Hong Kong. Today, Mothercare is known for quality, safety and
innovation in its products and services for mothers, mothers-to-be, babies and
young children.