About 1,500 needy students living in the South West District received gift vouchers yesterday to help with their school transport costs and 120 of the recipients also enjoyed a day out at the Science Centre.

More than $55,000 worth of vouchers were given out to students under the South West Community Development Council-ExxonMobil Transport Bursary.

Each beneficiary will receive up to $120 in transport e-vouchers.

The event yesterday was to commemorate more than 15 years of partnership between the South West Community Development Council (CDC) and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific. ExxonMobil is the CDC's longest-serving corporate partner to date.

About $1 million in bursaries has been disbursed to close to 8,000 vulnerable students, and 1,200 rental households have received some $200,000 worth of grocery packs over the years.

South West District Mayor Low Yen Ling said ExxonMobil's transport bursaries and annual grocery pack distribution "have gone a long way in uplifting vulnerable families and young students".

SUPPORTING STUDENTS We see education as a foundation for the future, providing the building blocks for a successful career. We are glad to be a part of the transport bursary programme and to be able to do our part and support students and their families with their school transport costs. MR ROBERT JOHNSTON, ExxonMobil Singapore's chemical plant manufacturing director.

"Year after year, ExxonMobil volunteers have turned up in full force with their families to pack the grocery items to be given away. We salute their unwavering commitment and spirit of service," said Ms Low.

Mr Robert Johnston, ExxonMobil Singapore's chemical plant manufacturing director, said: "We see education as a foundation for the future, providing the building blocks for a successful career.

"We are glad to be a part of the transport bursary programme and to be able to do our part and support students and their families with their school transport costs."

Bursary recipient Nurina Balqis Fready Fazli, a Primary 5 pupil from Juying Primary School, said the vouchers will help her family.

"We are very thankful for the support by ExxonMobil because the bursary will help our family save more money," she said.