The Singapore Indian Education Trust (SIET) and Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) hosted the SIET-SINDA Charity Golf Tournament 2026, now in its 16th edition, on Aug 28 at Sembawang Country Club.
The tournament was SIET’s largest annual fundraiser, drawing 140 golfers.
Sponsors, donors and participants raised S$436,314, which was matched by Tote Board, and will go towards students pursuing post-secondary and tertiary education that the Trust assists every year.
The SIET, established in 1967, is a non-profit organisation that has dedicated itself to providing financial assistance to students from low-income families. The organisation focuses its efforts on helping students reach their full potential in education.
“When we support a student through a bursary or study loan, we aren’t just easing their immediate financial burden; we are investing in Singapore’s future. Time and again, we see our beneficiaries graduate and go on to give back to society, whether through their professional contributions or community service. Raising over S$435,000 this year ensures we can continue empowering deserving students to realise their aspirations and, in turn, enrich Singapore,” said Mr Jayaprakash Jagateesan, chairman of SIET.
“This Trust was poised to produce more graduates from Indian families, so as to elevate their social standing. But more and more, we are realising that one need not necessarily have a university degree, but rather a developed skill,” Mr Jayaprakash added, stating how support from SIET can help alleviate their daily burdens and allow them the capacity to focus on what matters.
Over the years, SIET has expanded its outreach and now supports about 1,000 post-secondary students annually, helping them pursue their educational aspirations with greater confidence and financial peace of mind. Since 2025, SIET has also expanded its assistance by introducing a Private Education Institution (PEI) Bursary Scheme and providing additional monthly bursaries to eligible study loan recipients who demonstrate strong academic performance.
Over the past three editions alone, the charity golf tournament has raised S$1,584,139 (inclusive of Tote Board and Government matching grants), supported 440 students through interest-free study loans and grants, and enabled S$1,668,104 to be disbursed towards educational assistance.
SIET hopes to build on this momentum to broaden its reach, ensuring that assistance reaches students who need it.
“SIET operates outside fixed government funding, relying primarily on the goodwill of donors to help supplement the daily lives of students through monetary means. We are also looking to offer mentorship programmes for students to help fully furnish their formative years,” said MP Vikram Nair, president of SIET.
Students Balachandra Sharath, 23, and P. Sakilan, 26, who were also volunteering at the golf fundraiser, shared with tabla! how the bursaries have helped lift some weight off their shoulders.
“Since I am a Singapore Permanent Resident, university fees were rather expensive for me, and I had to work part-time so as to not put a financial strain on my parents. With the bursary award that I received earlier this year, I’m able to fully focus on my studies,” said Sharath, now in his second year of chemical engineering at NUS. Sharath is a recipient of the SIET-SINDA Tertiary Bursary, as well as the NUS TLS-SIET Bursary.
“I come from a single-parent household, with my mum helping to support both me and my sister who are both in university. I was working in the aviation industry when I became interested in coding and subsequently joined SIT. The bursary has been of great help, allowing for meals and other daily expenses,” said Sakilan, a third-year software engineering student at SIT. Sakilan hopes to make strides in the software industry upon his graduation, stating that, through his experiences, he has learnt how to overcome adversities.
SINDA supports SIET’s bursary funding.
“Education remains one of the most powerful pathways to social mobility and success. At SINDA, we are committed to ensuring that Singaporean Indian students have the support they need to pursue their aspirations, regardless of their financial circumstances,” said Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, chief executive officer of SINDA, highlighting how the scheme supports students in not only the short-term, but seeks to pave the way for them to realise their aspirations as well.
The fundraising campaign remains open until Sept 30, 2026. SIET welcomes continued support from individuals, organisations and businesses that share its commitment to education and community development.
