“A co-op is not just a business. It is a business with a social mission, and sometimes people call it “business with a heart”. The success of a co-op is measured not purely in terms of annual surpluses, but more importantly, by how well it serves its members, customers and the society at large.”

		Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

The Co-operative Scholarship

The Co-operative Scholarship is a unique scholarship that prepares and nurtures leaders for a social mission, specifically within a co-operative. Co-operatives are self-help groups which operate viable businesses to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of its members. The successful scholar has to understand and embrace the principles and mission of co-operatives to contribute to society.

In short, to be a Co-operative Scholar is to be a scholar with a social mission, a leader with a heart for the people.  

Launched by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation since 2008, the Co-operative Scholarship was introduced to attract, develop and nurture suitable talents to enter the ranks of the Co-operative Movement in Singapore.

Because of this social value and mission, the Scholarship is also one that provides a “hands-on” experience to all its scholars during each University vacation through programmes and activities such as attachment to SNCF and its affiliated co-operatives.