| Temasek Review 2011

The Singapore Technologies Endowment Programme (STEP), now in its 14th year, has been building bridges among youth in Asia and contributing to their education.

Since 1997, its signature Sunburst Youth Camp hosted over 1,600 young people from ASEAN, India, China, South Korea and Bhutan, including over 500 junior college students from Singapore.

STEP’s Sunburst Scholarship, now into its third year, supported 20 undergraduates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Singapore in their studies at Singapore universities and polytechnics.

Both camp participants and scholarship beneficiaries continue to stay connected, and have, in turn, initiated programmes to benefit others. Programmes initiated by the STEP alumni included the teaching of English and computer literacy in Laos and a “Befriender Programme” with Boys’ Town Singapore for youth at risk. Other activities included a book collection drive to establish a youth library in Laos.