“The experience at Koei has been valuable but I felt that it was time for me to learn something new. I was particularly interested in games development so, I was excited when the DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen), Singapore campus began offering the Bachelor of Science in Games Design programme,” he said.

DigiPen is one of the world’s leaders in games development education.

Under a collaboration involving the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), DigiPen and games publisher Ubisoft, 30 scholarships will be awarded over a three-year period beginning in the academic year 2009/2010.  Each scholarship is valued at S$20,000.

The WDA-DigiPen Creative Talent Development Scholarships (for the Games industry) aims to nurture a pool of skilled professionals in Interactive Digital Media (IDM) to develop Singapore as an international player in the industry.

Firman is one of the eight Singaporeans who has been awarded the scholarships.

“I am honoured to receive the scholarship. The $20,000 award will help subsidise the $77,000 course at Digipen in Singapore. More importantly, this scholarship will put me in a better position in the games design industry after I graduate in four years time.”

What does his mum say about his achievement?

“She is proud and is very supportive of my career choice now,” said Firman candidly.