- The Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities has empowered 67 students, committing over $2.6 million since 2004
- Four youths with disabilities received scholarships from guest-of-honour Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower
SINGAPORE, 8 October 2025 – From developing accessibility software to championing inclusive law, four young Singaporeans with disabilities are turning challenges into opportunities. Their achievements were recognised today with the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities, presented by Guest-of-Honour Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, as well as Mr Kenneth Choo, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation and Managing Director, HEINEKEN Asia Pacific.
Since 2004, the APB Foundation has awarded scholarships to 67 students with disabilities, investing over $2.6 million to support their education. Administered by SPD, the scholarships aim to level the playing field for talented youths so they can pursue their academic and career goals with confidence.
“Limits are not defined by circumstances; they are defined by perspective. At APB Foundation, we believe education is the most powerful way to shift that perspective and unlock potential. For over two decades, this scholarship has done more than provide financial support; it has created opportunities for resilience to meet opportunity, and for talent to shine. Our scholars prove that when barriers are removed, brilliance emerges, and we are proud to stand with them on that journey,” said Mr Choo.
Among this year’s recipients is Zachary Tay, 23, whose passion for accessibility technology was sparked when he saw a friend, with vision loss, unable to play a game due to its lack of screen reader compatibility. Determined to change that, he spent countless hours building software that allowed the game to interface with a screen reader, enabling his friend to enjoy the game. As an individual living with cerebral palsy, Zachary hopes to use his lived experience and technical expertise to champion greater accessibility for people with disabilities through technology. He is now a third-year Integrative Studies student at Singapore Management University, specialising in AI-driven accessibility in business.
Fellow award recipient Samuel Chew, 26, knows resilience firsthand. Diagnosed with hearing loss in kindergarten, he often struggled to follow lessons. A free tuition programme for deaf students became one of his greatest support. Now a first-year undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), he shares caregiving responsibilities for his father, who has hearing loss and dementia, while also engaging in bat rescue efforts in his free time.
Another recipient is 21-year-old Cindy Chan, who was diagnosed with congenital retinitis pigmentosa at a young age. Her condition requires her to rely on classroom accommodation such as large-print materials and front-row seating. While these supports are essential, they also set her apart from her peers, leading to a period of low self-esteem in her growing-up years. Over time, she has grown in confidence and is learning to embrace her condition. The second-year student at NTU aspires to be a school counsellor to support students with disabilities in their educational journey.
Joining this year’s honour roll is Clara Cher, 22, who was diagnosed with hearing loss and a mild speech-sound disorder. Often misunderstood as a distracted child because she missed parts of conversations in group settings, she developed a deep empathy for others with less visible needs. Today, she is pursuing a law degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where she also serves as a residential assistant at NUS College, supporting fellow students as they navigate university life. Clara is also actively involved in pro bono work, offering legal assistance to individuals with limited access to resources.
“For over 20 years, APB Foundation has been our steadfast partner in helping youths with disabilities pursue their aspirations, setting an inspiring example for other corporates in their support to the disability community. We are extremely proud of our scholars, whose dedication to their studies and communities is remarkable, and we also congratulate their caregivers, whose years of commitment have been instrumental in their success. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the scholars will create in the years ahead,” said Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Chief Executive Officer, SPD.
Over the years, many scholarship recipients have gone on to make their mark in fields such as sports, finance, science and technology. Among them are notable figures such as Paralympians Ms Yip Pin Xiu and Mr Toh Wei Soong, as well as former Nominated Member of Parliament Mr Ong Hua Han, whose achievements reflect the scholarship’s lasting impact.