We all want to see a free Palestinian state, it will need administrators: Shanmugam on Palestinian Scholarship Initiative

Three of the four scholars from the Palestinian Scholarship Initiative (PSI) met with Minister of Home Affairs K Shanmugam on Oct. 9.

Speaking to the media, Shanmugam shared that the government is supportive of the volunteer-led initiative, and is pleased to have the scholars in Singapore so that they can return and contribute.

"We all want to see a free Palestinian state, and that's going to need administrators. It's going to need people who can help run the place," Shanmugam added.

Shanmugam advised the scholars to "imbibe as much as they can, study hard, absorb what Singapore has to offer."

He described them as the bridge between Palestine and Singapore and wished them the best.

"This is a very good initiative by the people who came together to bring the students," said Shanmugam.

Evacuated from Gaza

In a statement to the media on Oct. 8, three of them had evacuated from Gaza before applying for the scholarship.

The fourth scholar was unable to evacuate from Gaza in time for the start of the new academic year.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has offered to hold the spot for the next academic year.

Two of the scholars will pursue postgraduate programmes at NUS and the Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS).

The last scholar, a 19-year-old boy, will be attending an undergraduate programme at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).

Full scholarships

PSI was launched in Oct. 2024 by a group of Singaporean citizens, to raise S$400,000 to help Palestinian scholars to study in Singapore.

Since then, it has raised over S$510,000 in total and, in July 2025, offered four students from Gaza full scholarships in Singapore.

The funds raised by PSI have been used to cover the scholars' flights to Singapore, a one-time allowance for settling in, accommodation, university fees, laptops, and monthly stipends.

Additionally, PSI introduced a Scholars Support Programme to assist scholars in integrating into life in Singapore. This programme pairs scholars with two dedicated "befrienders": one from the wider community and one from their host university.

"Being in Singapore so far has been a warm and enriching experience," said one of the scholars in the media statement.

"I carry a strong sense of gratitude, and I am hopeful that what I learn and build here will allow me to make a real difference in the future, and one day, give back to my country (Palestine), Gaza, and its people," the scholar added.

"We are delighted that our three scholars have arrived safely and are settling in well with the help of their befrienders," added Anthea Ong, former Nominated Member of Parliament and PSI Co-Chair, in the statement.

"Our priority now is to make them feel safe and at home in Singapore by supporting them, in every way we can, to do well in completing their studies here so they can contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding of their homeland when they return."

PM Wong: Singapore will continue to support Palestinians

Previously, in March 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong joined PSI's partners at their iftar event on Mar. 18 to show his support for the cause.

At the event, PM Wong said that he was "heartened by the community-led effort to help young Palestinians pursue their education in Singapore so they can build better futures for themselves and their families when they return to rebuild their homeland."

"Be it through ground-up initiatives or government programmes, Singapore will continue to do whatever we can to support the people of Palestine in their time of need," he added.

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Top photos via MHA