Starfish Dreams (Singapore) Ltd and Kaplan Higher Education Academy have entered a strategic partnership, making Kaplan Starfish's first education partner, with the aim of broadening access to education and empowering youths to progress towards their educational and career goals.

The collaboration provides eligible Starfish graduates with accessible pathways to higher education through Kaplan programmes, supporting long-term goals of lifelong learning, employability and future aspirations.

Memorandum of Understanding signed at Wilkie Edge

The partnership was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ms Siti Yariyati Mohamed, Founder and Board Chair of Starfish Dreams (Singapore) Ltd, and Mr Alex Chevrolle, Managing Director at Kaplan Higher Education Academy.

Marking the occasion at Kaplan City Campus @ Wilkie Edge, both organisations reaffirmed what they described as a shared commitment to developing future-ready youths and nurturing the next generation through education, growth and opportunity.

What the partnership provides

The collaboration forms part of Kaplan's corporate social responsibility initiative while supporting eligible Starfish graduates through opportunities in education. Beyond education sponsorships, the partnership also provides a platform for volunteer participation and other initiatives intended to positively impact the lives of out-of-school youths.

Under the collaboration, Kaplan will offer six fully funded sponsorships, comprising up to two enrolments each in its IGCSE Preparatory Programme, Kaplan Foundation Diploma programmes and Diploma programmes.

Kaplan: education "has the power to create opportunities"

Mr Alex Chevrolle, Managing Director at Kaplan Higher Education Academy, said: "At Kaplan, we believe education has the power to create opportunities for individuals to realise their potential. This partnership with Starfish reflects our commitment to lifelong learning and our broader responsibility to support the communities we serve. Through this collaboration, we hope to empower more youths to continue their education, build confidence in their abilities, and pursue meaningful futures."

Starfish: Kaplan's sponsorship is "that doorway"

Ms Siti Yariyati Mohamed, Founder and Board Chair of Starfish Dreams (Singapore) Ltd, said: "At Starfish, we tell our youths that their past doesn't define their future, but to make that true, they need a real doorway to further their academic progress. Kaplan's sponsorship is that doorway. By investing in these resilient young people, Kaplan proves that potential is not limited by circumstance. This partnership will give our youths a real chance to carve a future beyond the N-levels."

An alumni success story

The impact of accessible educational pathways is reflected in the journey of Al Zia Taffazal, a Starfish and Kaplan alumnus who rebuilt his confidence through his educational journey.

After dropping out of secondary school, he joined Starfish through a social worker, resulting in his return to education and completion of his N-Levels. He subsequently progressed to Kaplan, where he earned a Diploma before completing a Bachelor's Degree with a Double Major in Management and Business Law from Murdoch University, one of Kaplan's university partners.

Zia's educational journey has led to his present career in business management and financial advisory, while volunteering with Starfish to support fellow students. Reflecting on his experience, Zia said: “Joining Starfish was the best decision I made, as Starfish gave me a routine and goal.”

Through this official partnership, Starfish and Kaplan aim to create similar opportunities for future youths, empowering them to overcome adversities and unlock their capabilities.

Shaping future-ready youths

As Singapore continues to invest in lifelong learning and talent development, the collaboration underscores the role that community and education partners can play in shaping the next generation of future-ready youths, according to the two organisations.

Through sustained support and accessible education, Starfish and Kaplan aim to empower more youths to pursue their aspirations with confidence and purpose, while providing an additional pathway for those seeking to progress towards higher-level qualifications.

About the organisations

Starfish Dreams (Singapore) is a local nonprofit organisation established in 2015, dedicated to uplifting out-of-school youth in Singapore through a second chance at education. The youths it works with face multi-faceted challenges, including family complications, financial hardship, young parenthood, learning differences and mental health struggles, which lead them to leave mainstream education. To date, Starfish has supported over 450 youth.

Starfish provides out-of-school youth with structured academic coaching, peer support, socio-emotional guidance, mentoring and other appropriate support. Starfish Dreams (Singapore) is currently applying for charity status.

Kaplan (Singapore) is part of Kaplan, Inc., which describes itself as one of the world's most diverse education providers, serving over one million students. Founded more than 80 years ago by Stanley Kaplan, the company was established with a mission to make higher education accessible based on merit. In Singapore, Kaplan holds the 4-year EduTrust certification. Kaplan has welcomed students from over 60 countries and regions, graduated more than 114,000 learners, and offers close to 450 academic and professional certification programmes that support lifelong learning.

Kaplan, Inc. is a global education company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals. Stanley Kaplan founded the company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, its employees working in 40 countries and regions serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 17,000 corporate clients, and 1,500 schools, school districts, colleges and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC).