4 student teams crowned winners at 6th Singapore Cancer Society Interschool Competition; projects aimed at raising cancer awareness
A total of 161 entries across the different tertiary institutions were received.
Four student social media projects aiming to raise awareness on cancer won at the 2023 Singapore Cancer Society’s (SCS) annual Interschool Competition (ISC). The results were announced on Saturday (Jul 22) at a live judging session and award ceremony.
The ISC was kickstarted in 2018 as part of SCS’ endeavour to drive awareness about cancer among youths from Institute of Technical Education (ITEs), polytechnics, junior colleges and universities.
The ITE, junior college and diploma students were given the topics of breast cancer and lung cancer while undergraduates addressed cervical cancer and HPV infection. According to the organisers, this year’s ISC aims to increase awareness about risk factors of the respective cancers and the availability and benefits of the HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening options.
This year, the theme “Strike Out Cancer” represented SCS’ objective to empower students with the right knowledge and confidence to engage in peer-to-peer advocacy of conscious, healthy lifestyle choice and minimise cancer and maximise lives.
A total of 161 entries across the different tertiary institutions were received – a notable increase compared to the 40 entries in 2022.
Six of these entries were shortlisted to present at the ISC Award Ceremony. The entries were then evaluated by the judging panel consisting of the chief executive officer of TheSmartLocal Bryan Choo, Associate Professor Kim Hye Kyung from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, and senior consultant respiratory physician at the National University of Singapore Dr Philip Eng.
The winning project for the undergraduate category is submitted by Mok Xiao Rou from the Singapore Management University and Ryan Leong from the National University of Singapore.
Micaela Toh from Raffles Institution won in the ITE, Junior College and Diploma category. Her project featured a “day in the life” video of a cancer survivor conveying important information on early cancer detection.
Two People’s Choice Awards were also handed out at the ceremony. The recipients were Gui Ging Yi from Singapore University of Social Sciences and Jolin Choong, Liang Yuhan and Serene Ang Xin Ning from Jurong Pioneer Junior College.
Gui Ging Yi’s project showcased infographics explaining HPV and cervical cancer, encouraging viewers to reduce the risk of developing those illnesses through vaccinations, regular screening as well as safe sexual practices.
Jolin Choong, Liang Yuhan and Serene Ang Xin Ning’s project was an informative skit sharing the importance of early cancer detection and the negative effects of smoking.
The People’s Choice Awards were chosen based on the highest Instagram likes and comments, in line with the competition’s intent to raise cancer awareness among youths.
Established in 1964, the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is a self-funded social service agency which provides care services to cancer patients in need in areas such as cancer control and prevention, patient support services, and palliative care.
SCS key services include cancer screening programmes, public education, financial and welfare services, psychosocial support, rehabilitation programmes and hospice care.
More information on the Singapore Cancer Society can be found on its website.
