2016 to 2019
Celebrating significant milestones
The Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with a gala dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore with 800 guests and staff on 23 April 2016. Distinguished Guest-of-Honour, Mdm Halimah Yacob, then Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee, joined other VIPs in cutting a majestic MDIS 60th Birthday cake.
In October 2017, MDIS Tashkent celebrated its 10th anniversary and its 7th graduating cohort. A concert was held to commemorate the occasion and was attended by honourable guests from local partner organisations, delegates from MDIS Singapore and university partners.
In January 2016, the MDIS Heritage Gallery opened its doors to honour the institute’s 60 years of education excellence. Tracing a journey of timeless legacy from its humble beginnings in 1956 as the Supervisory and Management Training Association of Singapore (SAMTAS), the MDIS heritage Gallery showcases the institute’s rich heritage, its significant milestones, achievements and successes over the last six decades.
In May 2018, MDIS proudly launched the private education sector’s first dedicated School of Health and Nursing. Graced by Guest-of-Honour, Dr Chia Shi-Lu, then Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, the launch also marked the official opening of the MDIS Nursing Practicum Lab, a well-equipped facility for post-registered nurses to enhance their practical skills.
A commemorative book was launched at the gala event. Titled ‘Inspiring Lifelong Learning – The MDIS Story, the book captures the story behind the Institute’s development and expansion not only in Singapore, but also in Uzbekistan, Malaysia and India.
In August 2018, MDIS inked a joint venture partnership with the Jewellery Design and Management International School (JDMIS), adding jewellery design to the institute’s portfolio of diverse skills-based programmes and courses. The unveiling ceremony of the brand new 5,200 square foot facility was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, then Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Mdm Halimah Yacob and Dr Ahmad Magad, then Chairman of the MDIS Senate unveiled the MDIS Coat of Arms. The emblem reflects the Institute’s growth from a firm base and its forwardness into the 21st century.
In November 2018, MDIS achieved a double win as one of only four winners as well as the overall winner of the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (SPBA) - Heritage Brands 2018. Organised by the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises and Lianhe Zaobao, the award recognises the best in the industry for outstanding achievement in branding. The accolade is a testament of MDIS as a trusted brand that provides quality education, both locally and internationally.
Underscoring the Institute’s commitment to the community, a new MDIS 60th Anniversary Bursary was announced. The bursaries were presented to 40 special needs children from 15 Special Education Schools by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Foo Mee Har, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC on 23 May 2016 at the MDIS 21st Scholarship and Bursary Awards Ceremony.
In February 2019, a 40-strong contingent of MDIS local and international students, and staff gave an energetic performance and dazzled spectators at the 47th Chingay Parade 2019. Themed Dream Fiesta, this marked the fifth consecutive year of MDIS’ participation in Chingay. The MDIS contingent thrilled the crowd with a rocking performance and were invited to perform in the grand finale to a roaring crowd of spectators.
In 2017, the Institute launched the MDIS Bakery & Culinary Studio. The new facilities are a part of MDIS’ academic thrust to introduce more practical, skills-based curricula for students.
In May 2019, MDIS awarded S$203,900 worth of scholarships and bursaries to 386 beneficiaries, including MDIS special bursaries worth $5,000 each to two secondary school recipients owing to their exceptional financial family situation. In addition, bursaries worth S$18,500 were also awarded to 37 children from the Special Education Schools. Guests-of Honour, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and Mr Seah Kian Peng, MP for Marine Parade GRC and CEO for NTUC FairPrice Co-operative graced the morning and afternoon sessions respectively.
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