Suntec Singapore to disburse MICE Scholarship Fund

The first tranche of the `Rilla & Warren J. Buckley Meetings Industry Scholarship' Fund is to make its first disbursement to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Singapore) for six of its students to attend the 6th Asia-Pacific (ApacCHRIE) Conference and THE-ICE International Panel of Experts Forum 2008 in Perth, Australia.

The `Rilla & Warren J. Buckley Meetings Industry Scholarship' Fund, established in December 2007 to honour Warren J. Buckley, the former Chief Executive Officer of Suntec Singapore, was set up to help and provide students of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Singapore) who want to pursue a MICE or hospitality education. The programme was set up to signify Mr. Buckley's and Suntec Singapore's continued commitment to shaping the MICE industry, both locally and internationally.

"We are proud to set this milestone and we believe this contribution will give the development of Singapore's MICE industry a nudge, identifying talent that will contribute and develop the market," said Pieter Idenburg, Chief Executive Officer of Suntec Singapore. "It's our way to give back to the MICE industry in a positive way."

The Apac CHRIE, a Chapter of I-CHRIE is an academic non-profit organisation for vocational colleges and universities offering programs of study in tourism and hospitality. With almost 1,400 members world-wide located in 57 countries, I-CHRIE is a source of interaction, information and influence for everyone committed to tourism and hospitality education.

The Apac CHRIE conference will hold its next conference in May 2009 at Suntec Singapore. As part of its values as well as for the learning experience of the students at UNLV Singapore, six students majoring in Hotel Administration with a double major in MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) and Events have been selected to attend the Apac CHRIE conference in Perth to enable them to pick up useful tips as Conference Ambassadors as well as to plan, market, schedule, supervise and manage the conference next year. 

“Suntec Singapore's support for our students through the "Rilla & Warren J. Buckley Meetings Industry Scholarship" fund has provided educational opportunities that will help them gain experiences that are not possible in the classroom. Participants at this year's APacCHRIE Conference in Perth have all commented that this is a great way for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world,” said Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of UNLV Singapore. “APacCHRIE's 2009 conference will be held at Suntec Singapore and our UNLV students will be responsible for planning all aspects for this conference. Everyone is excited and looking forward to next year's conference in Singapore. Without Suntec Singapore’s financial support for this international MICE educational program - this experience would not be possible.”

To qualify for the scholarship, students must, amongst other criteria, meet the minimum GPA requirements for their courses.

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