New Merit-Based Scholarship given out to 27 students under NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship to nurture talent in landscape and animal sectors

New Merit-Based Scholarship given out to 27 students under NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship to nurture talent in landscape and animal sectors

• 192 students also received study awards at the ceremony

Singapore, 21 January 2026 – For the first time, a new merit-based scholarship was given out to 27 students from local universities, polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) under the NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship. This is a new category of awards that has been added this year, to recognise and further motivate students who have shown consistent academic excellence and demonstrated potential to become leaders in their respective fields of study.

Study awards were also presented to 192 students at the ceremony attended by award recipients, their families, and industry partners. These awards provide opportunities for youths to pursue careers across the landscape, horticulture, ecology, veterinary, and animal science sectors.

The NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship was established in 2020 and has since benefitted more than 1,200 students from the different Institutes of Higher Learning.

Transforming lives and building a skilled workforce for Singapore’s environmental future

Set up by philanthropist and entrepreneur Mr Peter Lim, in partnership with the National Parks Board, the $10 million NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship programme is a structured award programme for deserving youths to pursue advancement towards careers that contribute to the betterment of Singapore’s environment. This was in response to the launch of the Landscape Sector Transformation Plan made by the National Parks Board (NParks) in 2019, which aims to nurture professionalism and encourage environmental stewardship among local youths by providing them with the resources to develop their skills and capabilities in fields relating to greenery and biodiversity in Singapore.

Through annual contributions made over 10 years from 2020 to 2030 to the Garden City Fund (GCF), NParks’ registered charity, the Lim Family Foundation provides educational assistance in support of our City in Nature vision, through study awards, internships, and educational programmes for students.

For many recipients, the study awards have been impactful. By easing financial burdens on families, students can now focus on their studies without distractions and pursue career paths they may have once thought were out of reach. Beyond financial support, the programme signals to students that their chosen fields are valued and that meaningful career opportunities await them in growing industries.

“The Lim Family Foundation is committed to supporting Singapore's next generation of environmental professionals through our partnership with NParks. Through the NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship, we aim to transform lives through education and create meaningful career opportunities for young people who will help build a more sustainable Singapore. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we contribute to the City in Nature vision," said Mr Kiat Lim, Representative of Lim Family Foundation, Chairman of RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Executive Vice-Chairman of Thomson Medical Group and President of Valencia CF.  

The NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship programme addresses a dual imperative: transforming the lives of deserving students through education while building the skilled workforce that Singapore's landscape and veterinary sectors need. As these sectors undergo transformation and significant changes, driven by digitalisation in landscaping and the growing need for veterinary services due to the rise in pet ownership, —the demand for qualified professionals will continue to increase.

Strengthening Singapore’s landscape and animal sector workforce

Since its inception in 2020, the NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship has awarded study awards totalling over S$3.2 million to more than 1,200 students across ITE, polytechnics, NAFA, and local universities. These awards have enabled students to pursue diverse fields, equipping them with the skills and knowledge that Singapore's landscape and animal sectors need to thrive.

For industry partners, this programme offers a crucial pipeline of skilled, motivated professionals ready to add value to the industries. As the landscape and veterinary sectors confront rising demand and complex challenges, these study award recipients bring fresh insights, relevant expertise, and a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. By engaging these students through internships, work attachments, and mentorship opportunities, industry partners not only help shape the next generation of professionals, but also directly address their own talent requirements.

“The Landscape Industry Association (Singapore) (LIAS) is heartened by the commitment to supporting capability development in the landscape sector under the NParks–Peter Lim Scholarship Programme. More importantly, this programme complements existing efforts to nurture and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and leaders to carve out meaningful careers in the landscape and design sector,” said Ms Jacqueline Allan, President of LIAS.

Mi’ra Mikkel Binte Muhamad Hidayat, currently a third-year student studying for a Diploma in Veterinary Technology at Temasek Polytechnic, is one of the inaugural recipients of the merit-based scholarship, a recognition that marks a significant turning point in her academic journey and future aspirations.   

“Receiving this scholarship is especially encouraging, as it acknowledges the hard work and perseverance I have invested in my studies. With this achievement, I am motivated to deepen my commitment to animal welfare and conservation, and I hope to make a meaningful and lasting impact in these areas long after I leave Temasek Polytechnic,” said Mi’ra.

Continued contributions by the Lim Family Foundation to NParks’ Garden City Fund

The Lim Family Foundation’s support for NParks extends beyond the NParks-Peter Lim Scholarship programme. In 2018, the Lim Family Foundation donated S$900,000 over three years to build therapeutic gardens in Telok Blangah Hill Park, Punggol Waterway Park and Bedok Reservoir Park to facilitate people’s interactions with nature and improve overall well-being of visitors.

This partnership underscores the Lim Family Foundation’s long-standing commitment to Singapore’s environmental agenda and its vision for a greener, more sustainable future.

Organisations and individuals interested in supporting efforts to further our City in Nature vision can contact the GCF, NParks’ registered charity and IPC, at garden_city_fund@nparks.gov.sg.