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E•NEWS
Newsletter Issue April 2018
About UWAS
The University Women's Association (Singapore), UWAS, was inaugurated in August 1996 and is the Singapore chapter of theGraduate Women International, GWI (Former International Federation of University Women, IFUW) since 1994. In 2003, UWAS was voted with approved change in status from its associate status to national status with the National Federation of Associations (NFA) with full rights and obligations. UWAS is also the 40th affiliate of the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO), the national women's council of Singapore. The council is the main coordinating body with a total membership of approximately 94,000, drawn from all walks of life. Members range from homeworkers to businesswomen and professionals.
Nurture Programme for underprivileged children
Other than the weekly English & Maths lessons, the children also attend Computing eg Robotics and other ICT lessons.
In addition to the class sessions, learning journeys are arranged to places of interest such as the Science Centre, various industries, farms and events organized by ITE. We also celebrate major festivals such as Christmas and Chinese New Year.
Graduation Ceremonies are held on a bi-annual basis for the children who have completed the course. About 100 parents and volunteers attend the ceremony.
This program has benefitted more than 45 under privileged children per run of 40 weeks and there have been 4 runs to date.
The program has received positive feedback and support from parents. The new (5th) run started on 11 March 2017.
Money Management Course for Inmates
Classes based on the newly updated materials started in May 2016. Three runs have been conducted thus far using the newly updated materials. Each of the three sessions sees almost full attendance. The average attendance is 32 each time.
The program has received highly positive feedback from the inmates as well as the prison officers and may be expanded to include inmates from other prison clusters.
Long Term Employability Course for inmates
This course has been running since 2015 at Changi Prison. Average attendants: 20 per course.
The program received positive feedback from the inmates.
Basic Computer Literacy Program for Inmates
The course was specifically designed by UWAS IT circle to suit stringent prison requirements & was approved by Prisons on July 2015.
Conducted Quarterly at 2 sessions each time, the current class attendance averages about 15 to 20 inmates. Inmates receive almost 1:1 attention, as most of them are unfamiliar or out of touch with computers.
UWAS has received highly positive testimonials and encouraging feedback from inmates on this programme. .
Basic Computer Course for Seniors
Due to popular demand, our IT circle trainers have already conducted another 3 rounds of 4 sessions each for senior participants this year.
Feedback received from ITE’s program coordinator: “ Participants were impressed that UWAS trainers provided personalized support and one-on-one coaching. They truly enjoyed the course and would like to thank all trainers & UWAS for offering not only great learning sessions to increase the IT knowledge of Seniors in a friendly, non-threatening environment. .
Basic Facebook Course for Seniors
This new course was created by UWAS IT circle in response to demand from participants who already possess basic computer skills. .
UWAS Student Enrichment Project (SEP): Smart Online Platform for Underprivileged Children
An online Student Enrichment Platform that leverages on smart technologies to enable underprivileged students to acquire and improve their knowledge & skills in English & Mathematics
New UWAS Project.
Pilot run was deployed at three primary school after-school care centres in Singapore. Results will be shared at AGM
UWAS School Agricultural Project (SAP)
A gardening programme to
- Educate students in schools to be more environmentally conscious and increase their appreciation for nature
- Provide practical and low cost plant information and cultivation techniques to students to create interest and enhance their skills in this area
- Enable students to learn to cultivate and care for vegetables, fruits and plants and work in teams.
New UWAS Project.Pilot run is in progress at a local secondary school in Singapore since February 2017. Results will be shared at AGM
Message from our President - Irene Boey
Dear UWAS members,
Thank you for placing your faith and trust in me to be your tenth President. I would like to thank you for your support in maintaining your membership with UWAS throughout these years. I am also appealing to you to show your support through funding as well as volunteering in our many diverse projects.
Members like yourself joined UWAS because your interests are closely aligned to UWAS's main mission of utilising the expertise of graduate women to improve the lives of women and girls in the region through education and training. Many of you have already reached that stage in life that Maslow referred to as self-actualisation. You desire to take part in meaningful projects rather than social events and use your expertise for the common good.
I would like to reach out to all our UWAS members to appeal for your help as volunteers in our many community programmes. Your commitment, however small or large and in whatever capacity, can help UWAS to effectively carry out its mission of training females (and also males).
Irene Boey
President, UWAS
2016-2018
UWAS requirements. Two notable 2016 activities:
The UWAS International Rice Dumpling Festival (5 June)
The UWAS International Rice Dumpling Festival was held on 5 June 2016. More than 30 UWAS members and friends joined in the event to learn how to make different kinds of dumplings. 
Participants tried making five types of dumplings: Singapore style Chinese dumplings, Nyonya dumplings, Vietnamese sweet dumplings, and even a special mango sago dumpling.
2 Day 1 Night Desaru & Malacca Trip – 2-3 July 2016
19 members and their families started their cross border journey early in the morning. Their first stop was the Desaru Fruit Farm for a meal of fruit fried noodles, chicken curry and durians.
At Malacca, the group indulged in Nyonya cuisine and immersed themselves in the local culture with visits to heritage sites. They also stopped at the local Pasar Malam at Jonker Street.
On day 2, members continued their Nyonya food adventure before departing for Johore to buy local produce and products. Before departing for home, participants enjoyed a satisfying dinner at ‘Lao Zi Hao’.
All in all, participants felt the trip was a most satisfying one where members and their families had a good time enjoying the sights, culture and food in the company of friends. 
| Published by www.UWAS.org | Feedbackt to info@uwas.org | |
| Mail Address SCWO Centre, Mail Box No.8, 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967 | Copyright © 2017 Univercity Women's Association Singapore. All right reserved. |
