Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Scholar:
Patricia Chia
She did not study harder deliberately to secure the scholarship. Instead, she took things in her stride and continued her usual commitments. During her time in school, Patricia progressed through a steady diet of sports – such as swimming, track & field, cross country runs and triathlons. She sees sports as a way to develop endurance and mental strength, and her efforts were not in vain. She represented Singapore as a member of a national triathlon team, and even received a Gold Award from the President under the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) programme.
But Patricia is no mere sportsperson. She also excelled in her studies, and was offered a scholarship by both URA and by the Ministry of Education. Would she choose teaching? Patricia’s passion, however, was more aligned with URA’s focus on urban planning and design, and she is now embarking on an exciting journey to pursue a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the National University of Singapore.
Patricia felt honoured and humbled to be awarded the scholarship. Knowing that she is one of only eight awardees, chosen from a field of 500 applicants, she is motivated to put in her best efforts into architecture, not just to serve URA, but to serve Singapore as a whole.