Experience@Singapore: IDM, 4-8 January 2010 is an exclusive 5-day programme that will give participants from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and UK, unparalleled exposure to Singapore and its Interactive & Digital Media (IDM) industry.

Singapore is positioning itself to become an IDM capital and is working to strategically accelerate the development of its IDM industry. Studios such as Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, Ubisoft and Electronic Arts have set up studios here. Besides attracting top-tier IDM companies to undertake the full value chain of activities in Singapore, we are also looking to anchor and invest in leading R&D activities here to entrench Singapore's position at the cutting edge of IDM technology.

• Experience@Singapore: IDM is an unprecedented programme created to foster the global exchange of ideas and networks between students, universities and organizations in Singapore, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and UK.
• Meet exciting global and local animation and games companies including:
  

• the privilege of interacting with the management of leading IDM studios and government organisations
• the opportunity to interact  and forge networks with IDM students from countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and UK
• a sampling of the exciting lifestyle and colourful culture that Singapore – a unique blend of the East and West – has to offer invaluable exposure to the IDM industry in Singapore   
  

• The programme is open to all outstanding Year 1-4 students and postgraduate students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and UK students.  Preferred disciplines include animation, games design, computer science and IT.
  

Contact Singapore will provide for 50% of:

• Economy class return airfare
  Contact Singapore will pay for 50% of the participant's economy class return airfare from the country of study to Singapore to be capped at SGD700. (Participants will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements and to arrive in time for the start of the programme.
• Hotel Accommodation
  Contact Singapore will pay for 50% of the accomodation. Each participant will be given a twin-sharing room for six nights from 3 to 9 January 2010. Check-in will be on 3 January 2010 and check-out on 9 January 2010. The room rate will include internet connection and breakfast. If the participant wishes to extend his/her stay in Singapore, he/she will bear the cost of the additional night(s).
  

Contact Singapore will provide for 100% of:

• Domestic transport cost
  This will be for the duration of the official programme.
• Meals
  All meals indicated in the final programme, which would include breakfasts, lunches and a welcome dinner on the first day.
  

Participants would have to pay for:

• Incidentals in the hotel (e.g. minibar, room service)
• Immigration fees e.g. Visa Application Fee (if applicable) or  Work Holiday Programme* (WHP) Application Fee (if applicable)
• Meals after official programme (e.g. dinners on most days)
• All other expenses or activities not indicated in programme

*The WHP is a scheme that allows university students and recent graduates, between 17 and 30 years old, to come to Singapore for a limited period. Successful applicants can live and work in Singapore for up to six months. More details can be found at http://www.contactsingapore.sg/whpsingapore/.

A snapshot of the estimated cost of living in Singapore can be found here.

Application for the programme will commence on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 and close on Friday, 4 December 2009. As part of the application, you will be required to submit your CV, a 300-word essay on why you want to participate in this programme and what you hope to achieve from your participation in it, as well as a link to your portfolios and reels (if relevant). You will be informed about your successful application by 6 December 2009.

Notes

• The duration and itinerary of the programme may be subject to change.
• Contact Singapore reserves the right to change the qualifying criteria at our absolute discretion.
• Contact Singapore reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions, and to suspend, terminate or vary the programme with or without notice to participants. The mode of notification of suspension, termination or variation shall be at Contact Singapore's sole discretion.
• Contact Singapore's decision on all matters relating to the programme shall be final, binding and conclusive and no correspondence will be entertained.
• Participants will have to give a notice of at least 15 working days for withdrawal from Experience@Singapore. In addition, he/she will have to bear all costs for cancellation of hotel/flights.