KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE PSC SCHOLARSHIPS CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, 23 JULY 2005, 2.40PM AT THE ISTANA
Dr Andrew Chew, Chairman of the Public Service Commission
Members of the PSC
Ladies and Gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon at the Public Service Commissions annual scholarships award ceremony Let me first warmly congratulate all 49 of you who have been awarded the PSC scholarships this year. I would also like to congratulate your parents and teachers for bringing you up well.
What we look for in a PSC Scholar
2. The Singapore Government has always made it a priority to attract its fair share of talent through scholarships. In the early years of independence, returning scholars were thrown into the deep end of nation-building to develop infrastructure, build homes, enforce law and order and build up the Singapore Armed Forces. The challenges facing them were matters relating to national survival.
3. Today, Singaporeans enjoy a high standard of living and our survival as a nation is less in doubt. But the issues facing us are no less daunting.
4. On the economic front, we are in the midst of restructuring and remaking our industries so as to maintain our nimbleness in the face of the ever-changing economic conditions. Being a small country, we have no choice but to make the world our market and integrate ourselves into the global economy. The challenge for us is to nurture a new generation of Singaporeans who are creative, dynamic and entrepreneurial.
5. Socially, we need to manage the effects of economic restructuring by ensuring that those who are unable to take care of themselves are provided for, and those who need only temporary assistance get back on their feet quickly and continue to contribute as productive members of our society and economy.
6. On the security front, besides maintaining a high level of deterrence and conventional defence, we also need to formulate measures to tackle unconventional threats like terrorism without causing unnecessary disruption to the lives of Singaporeans.
7. The challenge for us is to look for totally new propositions, to carve a unique and sustainable global niche for Singapore.
8. Notwithstanding the change in circumstances we now face, we continue to select PSC scholars based on three basic qualities. Besides possessing a keen intellect, a PSC scholar must have a strong sense of integrity and exhibit excellent leadership potential for you would be amongst those who are going to lead Singapore in future, at least in the public sector.
9. As potential future leaders, you would need to motivate and mobilise Singaporeans to do their best for the country. As potential future leaders, you would need to chart the directions required to take Singapore to the next stage of development.
10. But most important of all, as potential future leaders, you would need to do what is right, and not necessarily what is popular History tells us that a strong leader with no moral integrity will do more harm than good to a country. We have many examples in history where we have outstanding mobiliser and motivator, but we all know the amount of damage caused to the country and indeed the rest of the world.
11. You must also possess the moral courage and integrity to do the right thing. You must be honest enough to admit any mistakes that you have made. Brave enough to tell your boss that an existing policy has outlived its usefulness and has to be discarded or changed and humble enough to acknowledge that there is an idea out there that might be better than yours.
12. As Martin Luther King once said, “Cowardice asks the question - is it safe? Expediency asks the question - is it politic? Vanity asks the question - is it popular?” But there comes a time, when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular. Because conscience asks the question - is it right?
13. You are here today because we believe you possess these qualities of a scholar - intelligence, integrity and leadership potential. I am confident that PSC has made the right choice in awarding you the PSC scholarships and that you will justify our choice with your contributions in the coming years.
Responsibilities of a PSC Scholar
14. You must also remember that as a PSC scholar there will be additional responsibilities placed on you. Your actions will not only speak of the person that you are but may also be construed to be reflective of the values espoused by the Singapore Civil Service. Your behaviour will also be subjected to greater scrutiny by your peers, teachers or even the media. Thus conduct yourself in a manner that is expected of a potential public sector leader and ensure that the highest standards of the Singapore Civil Service are adhered to.
What You Can Do
15. Going forward, you will need more than just sheer intellect to succeed in your job after you have graduated. You will need to understand the social and political context that Singapore is operating in. You will need to experience and understand the workings of world markets and major players. These are necessary to position Singapore nimbly and competitively — to not only spot and take advantage of opportunities, but to create opportunities.
16. Five of you have chosen to pursue your undergraduate degrees here in Singapore. This is an encouraging sign and speaks well of our Singapore’s universities. Do make full use of the opportunity to build ties with fellow Singaporeans and some of our Singapore friends from overseas. Participate in activities that will deepen your understanding of all strata of our society. Being in home-ground, you have the advantage of getting first-hand news of what is happening here. Your experience and in-depth knowledge of our society will be valued just as much as those gained by your peers who have ventured overseas.
17. As for the majority of you who are proceeding overseas for your studies, make full use of the opportunity to really understand your host countries, their values, their approach to society and government, and how these impact their sociopolitical and economic environment. Open your minds to new perspectives. Venture out of your comfort zone and form friendships with the local students and even friends from other countries. Bear in mind that you will also be making friends for Singapore.
18. I would like to especially commend the 6 of you who have chosen to study in non-traditional countries like China, Japan and Germany. The path less travelled holds unique rewards. The language skills that you will pick up and your understanding of the country’s culture will benefit you for life. The civil service will also gain from the different and diverse perspectives that you bring to the table, and enable us to tap on a wider network.
19. For those of you who will be away for the next few years, it is important that you keep abreast of affairs back home so that you can contextualise your experiences and form robust opinions on what is and is not relevant to Singapore. In line with this, I urge you to consider local universities as possible options for your exchange programmes, summer school or Masters Degree, though strange as it may sound. Spending some time in our local universities will allow you to compare and contrast the different systems, and also build up a network with local graduates.
CONCLUSION
20. The 49 of you receiving your awards today will join the ranks of outstanding men and women who have gone before you in the Singapore Public Service. Strive to excel in all your pursuits, uphold integrity in whatever you do, and above all, remember always that you are here in service to Singapore and your fellow Singaporeans.
21. I wish you the very best for your journey ahead.