Wanted: Young leaders for co-ops The Singapore National Co-operative Federation has a new scholarship to groom fresh talents By Ahmad Osman DO YOU want to be a young leader in Singapore’s biggest grassroots movement? Or perhaps a leader contributing meaningfully to society and making a difference to the lives of people in various co-operatives and other Singaporeans? If you qualify, you can apply for the new annual scholarships offered from this year by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF). Up to 10 new scholarships “Commencing this year, we will initially be offering up to 10 scholarships, but this can be increased if the take up is good,” says SNCF chairman Mr Seah Kian Peng. “We want to attract, develop and nurture suitable talents to enter the ranks of the co-operative movement to strengthen and keep it relevant. “We recognise the need to develop young leaders and get our fair share of talent to develop a more vibrant co-operative movement in Singapore.” SNCF is the apex body for the movement here. It was formed on Sept 18, 1980 as the central organisation to promote better coordination and collaboration among co-operatives and to project their image. A total of 74 co-operatives with more than one million individual members are currently affiliated to the federation. These members are in the biggest grassroots movement here, says Mr Seah, who is also a Member of Parliament in Marine Parade GRC. SNCF affiliates are in a variety of businesses including insurance, retail, childcare, eldercare, property development and maintenance. They also provide security, travel, health-care, environmental, maritime, thrift and loan and manpower services. Singapore’s reputable and dynamic co-operative movement is an important component of the country’s social and economic structure. The co-operatives include household names such as NTUC FairPrice and NTUC Income. FairPrice, which is helping workers to stretch their dollars, is acknowledged by the Far Eastern Economic Review as a supermarket chain with a social conscience. Income is the highest rated domestic insurer in Asia. Its “AA” standing rated by the Standard & Poor’s rating agency reflects its dominance of Singapore’s life and general insurance industry and its financial stability and capacity to meet new challenges. “Co-operatives provide the challenges of running an enterprise, a business, but it has the added dimension of being big on social objectives,” Mr Seah says. “Corporate social responsibility is ingrained into their mission.” Who can apply Singapore citizens or permanent residents with outstanding A-level or equivalent academic results and a good record of co-curricular activities can apply for the SNCF scholarships. The federation will also consider postgraduate students pursuing a relevant course. The Central Co-operative Fund is providing the money for the scholarships. Each scholarship, worth up to $15,000, is for applicants who want to study at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University or Singapore Management University. They can study business management, accountancy, information technology, mass communications or specialise in economics or statistics. These subjects will train SNCF scholars to improve the management and growth of co-operatives and come up with innovative business ideas. Good leadership ability and potential and a keen interest in the co-operative movement are the key qualities that SNCF will look for in scholarship applicants. Scholars will be deployed to work within the co-operative sector that includes some of the major co-operatives here. Postings within the federation and to the key affiliated co-operatives are part of the path for the scholar to have a challenging and fulfilling career based on the individual’s strengths and interests. “The bond period of up to four years is different from others,” says Mr Seah. “The scholar has the opportunity to work in different co-operatives and learn about the co-operative movement in Singapore. “The person will also develop into a leader, contribute meaningfully to society and make a difference to the lives of the members of the co-operative society and community at large.” Launched in 1925, the co-operative movement here is actively involved in the activities of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and the International Labour Organisation. The ICA general assembly, held for the first time in Singapore in October last year, helped co-operatives here to network with and tap the knowledge and experience of their foreign counterparts. Mr Seah describes the assembly as a major milestone enhancing the image and standing of Singapore’s co-operative movement.