Singapore, 8 October 2025 – Aster announces the launch of a SGD1.5 million philanthropic initiative to nurture Singapore’s next generation of engineers, specifically in the fields of civil and structural engineering, chemical engineering, process engineering, and mechanical engineering. Through this initiative, Aster will award bursaries to engineering and design students from three local autonomous universities, namely Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), National University of Singapore (NUS), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), prioritising those with academic merit and financial need.
The programme begins with partnerships at NTU Singapore, NUS and SIT, with discussions underway to extend support to additional institutions. Each bond-free bursary will be established under the Aster’s banner, allowing recipients the flexibility to choose their own career paths. At NTU, the gift from Aster will create an endowed bursary fund that supports financially needy students from the School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, reflecting Singapore’s long-term economic priorities.
At NUS, an endowed bursary fund will support students from the College of Design and Engineering, reinforcing Aster’s commitment to nurturing Singapore’s future talent in diverse technology and infrastructure fields, and equipping them to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the nation’s changing energy landscape.
At SIT, the Aster Bursary will provide sustained financial assistance to students in need, many of whom are first in their families to pursue university education. This initiative builds on SIT’s commitment to enhancing accessibility to higher education while ensuring that support keeps pace with students’ evolving needs. To ensure timely support, immediate-term bursaries will be made available from Academic Year 2025/26, ahead of the endowment’s maturity.
Group CEO of Aster, Erwin Ciptura, said, "We believe in investing in Singapore's human capital as the foundation of our nation's continued innovation and prosperity. Singapore is not only home to some of the region’s brightest talent, but also a vital strategic hub for Aster. These bursaries represent more than financial support, they are an investment in the brilliant minds who will drive Singapore’s technological advancement and economic growth, and in turn strengthen Aster’s partnership with the country’s future."
Professor Warren Chan, Dean of NTU’s College of Engineering, said, “We are grateful to Aster for this generous gift, which will make an immediate and lasting difference for our students. The Aster Chemicals and Energy Bursary will enable deserving students from less-advantaged backgrounds to pursue engineering education without the weight of financial worry. With this support, our students can focus on their studies and become the innovative engineers that Singapore needs for a sustainable and resilient future.”
Dean of the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, Professor Teo Kie Leong, said, “We are deeply grateful for Aster’s generous bursary which will empower our students to unlock their full potential and pursue their aspirations. This crucial investment in promising individuals is instrumental in cultivating a vital talent pipeline that will bolster Singapore's energy-related sectors. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators who will propel Singapore’s sustainable development and shape the future of our energy sector.”
Highlighting the impact of this philanthropic initiative, Mr Marc Chan, Director of the SIT Advancement Office, said, “The Aster Bursary will provide meaningful support to many SIT undergraduates, empowering them to pursue their aspirations with confidence, knowing that they are supported in their journey. As Singapore’s University for Industry, SIT equips students with industry-relevant skills and real-world experience, preparing them for vital roles in the engineering sector, driving innovation and contributing to a more sustainable future. SIT is truly grateful for this generosity, transforms lives and inspires a spirit of giving that strengthens our community.”
The initiative also leverages government matching schemes, which will multiply the impact of Aster’s contributions into larger endowed funds. Participating universities will offer naming rights and opportunities for Aster to interact with student recipients, in line with the bursary’s bond-free nature. Aster is committing to endowed giving that leaves a legacy of educational opportunity and innovation in Singapore’s power and energy sector – supporting generations of engineering talent and ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of the industry’s future.
ABOUT ASTER
Aster is a leading provider of energy, chemical, and infrastructure solutions in Southeast Asia, supplying products and services to various manufacturing industries in both domestic and international markets. It is a Chandra Asri-led joint venture with Glencore. Since Chandra Asri Group’s establishment in 1992, the Group has grown from strength to strength to build its reputation as a reliable growth partner, with strategically well positioned assets in Indonesia and Singapore. The Group’s total asset base includes a refinery with a capacity of more than 300,000 barrels per day with ongoing asset rejuvenation, alongside a 1.1 million metric ton naphtha cracker on Bukom Island, 2.5 million metric tons of downstream chemical assets on Jurong Island, and a 0.9 million metric ton naphtha cracker in Cilegon. The company's business is supported by core infrastructure assets, including energy, electricity, water, jetty, and tank farm facilities.
For more information, visit www.aster.com.sg.
For further information, please contact:
Aster
Bernadette Tan
Corporate Relations
Tel: +65 91773127
Email:
(Extracted Press Release by Aster)
