Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards to celebrate achievements and potential of persons with disabilities

Singapore, 15 January 2019 – The Goh Chok Tong (GCT) Enable Awards, a new initiative of Mediacorp Enable Fund (MEF), was launched today. The Awards aim to recognise the achievements of persons with disabilities and to motivate those with promise and potential to go the distance with their endeavours.

The founding of the Awards was inspired by Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong, who is the Patron of MEF.

ESM Goh said, “Our efforts to make society more inclusive should go beyond raising awareness and providing persons with disabilities equal access to opportunities to realise their dreams. We want them to be driven to succeed regardless of background. The Awards recognise, encourage and promote their contributions to society.”

Celebrating achievements, spurring potential

The Awards comprise two categories: GCT Enable Award (UBS Achievement) and GCT Enable Award (UBS Promise).

GCT Enable Awards (UBS Achievement) celebrates persons with disabilities who have made significant achievements in their respective fields. Nominees must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged at least 18 years old. Up to three individuals per year will each be awarded $10,000. To recognise the efforts made by nominating organisations which are Institutions of Public Character and Government educational institutions, they will each receive $5,000 if their nominees are selected as winners of this award category.

For persons with disabilities who have shown promise, GCT Enable Awards (UBS Promise) will motivate them to pursue greater heights in their areas of expertise. Nominees must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged at least 12 years old. Up to 10 individuals every year will each receive $5,000.

Nominees for both award categories must be persons with a permanent disability, i.e. have autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability (IQ of 70 and below), physical disability, hearing impairment or visual impairment.

Associate Professor Wong Meng Ee, Chairman of the GCT Enable Awards Evaluation Panel and a Board Member of SG Enable, said, “The launch of GCT Enable Awards marks another significant step towards fulfilling the aims of MEF – to achieve a society where our beneficiaries are recognised for their abilities and encouraged to realise their full potential. Persons with disabilities also have talents and aspirations. We hope that the Awards will spur more people with disabilities to work towards bringing their dreams to life and creating an impact in their fields.”

Awards supported by corporate partners

The GCT Enable Awards is supported by the Singapore Totalisator Board (Tote Board) as the Founding Sponsor and UBS Singapore as the Principal Sponsor.

“The purpose of the GCT Enable Awards resonates with Tote Board’s vision of uplifting the community by providing equitable opportunities for all. By recognising the achievements and potential of persons with disabilities, we hope that it will encourage them to transcend their disabilities and achieve great things,” said Mr Fong Yong Kian, Chief Executive, Tote Board.

Mr Edmund Koh, President of Asia Pacific, UBS, added, "UBS Singapore has consistently believed in developing the potential of youths, whatever their abilities, by investing, nurturing and helping them to achieve their full potential and promise. To this end, UBS is delighted to be part of the GCT Enable Awards, sponsoring the UBS Achievement and Promise Awards to help the beneficiaries to excel in their academics and pursuits of success.”

“The Awards reflect the new ways that we are uplifting people of all abilities in our community. They celebrate diversity but also passion and determination. Mediacorp is committed to supporting persons with disabilities reach their full potential – through real, positive action,” shared Ms Tham Loke Kheng, Chief Executive Officer, Mediacorp.

Winners of GCT Enable Awards will be announced in July 2019 and nominations are open from today until 31 March 2019.

For more information about the Awards, eligibility, nomination and evaluation processes, please visit www.mediacorp.sg/gct-enable-awards.

Names and key terms in Chinese

About Mediacorp

Mediacorp is Singapore’s largest content creator and transmedia platform, operating seven TV channels, 11 radio stations and multiple digital platforms including Channel NewsAsia (CNA), Singapore's most used news app, and Toggle, its digital video platform.  Its mission is to engage, entertain and enrich audiences by harnessing the power of creativity.

Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with radio broadcast in 1936 and television broadcast in 1963. Today, it reaches 99% of Singaporeans in all four languages, and has a growing Asian audience base through CNA and its entertainment content that is distributed across markets in the region.

Mediacorp’s investments include stakes in Reebonz, one of the region’s fastest growing luxury online retailers, and Vietnam television’s International Media Corporation. The Mediacorp Partner Network brings Mediacorp together with industry-leading brands like ESPN and 99.co to deliver rich content for consumers and effective solutions for advertisers.

Mediacorp has been recognised with industry accolades including New York Festivals, World Media Festivals and PromaxBDA (World & Asia).

For more information, please visit mediacorp.sg.

About SG Enable

Set up by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in July 2013, SG Enable is an agency dedicated to enabling persons with disabilities and building an inclusive society. It seeks to support persons with disabilities across different life stages. For more information, please visit www.sgenable.sg.

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