KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AND MINISTER IN CHARGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AT THE PSC SCHOLARSHIPS AWARD CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, 21 JULY 2007, 2.30PM AT THE ISTANA
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
Dr Andrew Chew, Chairman of the Public Service Commission
Members of the PSC
Parents, Teachers, Scholars
Ladies and Gentlemen
1 I am pleased to be here with you this afternoon at the Public Service Commission’s annual scholarship award ceremony. First, let me congratulate the 52 scholars who have been awarded the PSC scholarships this year. I would also like to congratulate your parents and teachers for having brought you up and nurtured you to be what you are today.
Key Challenges Facing Singapore and the Public Sector
2 Singapore will be celebrating its 42nd year of independence this year. We have enjoyed political stability in a region wrought with uncertainties. We have survived economic upheavals amidst global economic restructuring. We enjoy a good standard of living in a harmonious multicultural and multiracial environment. These are remarkable achievements for a small country with no natural resources, but it is success that we cannot take for granted.
3 Going forward, Singapore will face a host of new challenges, both internal and external. Emerging low cost economies around the world are now successfully implementing the market-oriented growth strategies that have proven so effective for us. Even centralised economies like Vietnam and, most notably, China, have opened up their markets, and are encouraging foreign investments and free trade. In addition, they are also capitalising on their innate advantage in natural resources. Consequently, there is an urgent need for Singapore to constantly explore new ideas and create new niches.
4 To complement our strengths in trade, transportation, manufacturing and financial services, we are reinventing our tourism offerings, investing in water technology and life sciences, and expanding our health and education sectors. We are pushing ahead to build a future economy capitalising on trust, connectedness, knowledge and life – attributes which the Public Service have helped build into strengths which Singapore has earned a reputation for over the years. The Public Service has to continue to create the right conditions and help catalyse this exciting new wave of growth.
5 Amidst this complex tapestry of challenges, the Singapore Civil Service has to respond to the rising expectations of an increasingly sophisticated citizenry. There are higher expectations for healthcare, housing and education, for smooth and seamless transportation, a safe and secure nation, and to cater to the needs of the elderly.
6 The Singapore Civil Service is consistently ranked among the top, for the quality of its policies and its efficiency, by independent agencies like the Hong Kong-based Political and
Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC). From an international viewpoint, the Singapore Civil Service is synonymous with trustworthiness, effectiveness and a readiness to embrace change.
7 Singaporeans expect nothing less than these high standards from our Civil Service. Singapore cannot hope to thrive and prosper unless we renew and reinvent ourselves to meet our competition and maintain our lead. The high standards of the Singapore Civil Service cannot be sustained without the fresh ideas and perspectives that a steady infusion of energetic and creative young entrants like you brings. We have to continue inducting able young people with the right aptitude, the sense of purpose and passion to serve the nation - Public Sector leaders who will understand and reflect the hopes of a new generation, engage them through persuasion and active involvement - so that we can all work together towards a nation that we continue to be proud to call our home.
Development of the PSC Scholarship Schemes
8 For over 50 years, the PSC scholarships have played a key role in recruiting some of the nation’s most able and committed young persons for the Singapore Civil Service. The Public Service Commission is constantly looking into ways to diversify and enhance the scholarships it offers so that they remain attractive to each successive generation of young talent. Three changes were made this year. First, the scope of the Overseas Merit Scholarship has been expanded to include those who are interested in specialised fields of study. Second, the Singapore Government Scholarship (Open) has been introduced to create even more opportunities for those who are interested to join the Civil Service. Third, PSC will now offer Masters Scholarships for those keen to join the Civil Service after they have completed their undergraduate education.
9 Let me elaborate on each of the 3 new initiatives.
Overseas Merit Scholarship (Specialist)
10 The Overseas Merit Scholarships have served as the key avenue to attract top talent for the Management Associates Programme, which is the main pipeline for the Singapore Administrative Service. Administrative Officers are groomed for top leadership positions in the public sector. Administrative Officers are rotated across different sectors of government and are expected to have the breadth of knowledge and expertise to contribute in each of these areas.
11 However, besides the Administrative Service, the Singapore Public Service also requires strong and capable leaders, in specialised fields, such as economists, statisticians and architects. Leaders in these specialised fields have deep knowledge in a particular domain and play an important role in maintaining a world-class Public Service. Recognising this, we have introduced the OMS (Specialist) award which aims to attract young talent who have a passion for public service in a more specialised career. The first recipient of the OMS (Specialist), Mr Tham Zheng Kang will be receiving his award today. He will be pursuing a course of studies in Mathematics at Cornell University.
Zheng Kang is deeply passionate about Mathematics. Upon his return from studies, he can contribute in agencies such as the Department of Statistics, building up the professionalism and expertise of the public sector in this area.
Singapore Government Scholarship (Open)
12 This year, PSC has also introduced the Singapore Government Scholarship (Open) award. Currently, Ministries with professional schemes of service award SGS scholarships which cater to their specific manpower needs. These include the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs who award SGS scholarships tied to the Teaching and Home Team Uniformed Services respectively.
13 We recognise that there may be some students who are interested to work in the Civil Service but may not want to commit to a specific scheme of service at the age of 18 years. For these students, they now have the choice of considering an SGS (Open) award. Under the SGS (Open) scheme, students have the flexibility to decide on a ministry only after they graduate. I am happy to note that we have awarded 16 SGS (Open) scholarships this year.
Masters Scholarships
14 There will also be students who choose to proceed for their undergraduate education on their own, and are not ready to commit to a Civil Service career initially. They may subsequently decide that a career in the Public Service is indeed their calling. Last year, PSC introduced the Mid-term Scholarship for students who are in the midst of their undergraduate studies.
15 From this year, the PSC will also make available Masters Scholarships for students who will already have their bachelor’s degrees. Such students who are found suitable for appointment to the Management Associates Programme will be awarded the PSC Masters Scholarship to pursue a Masters degree before starting work in the Civil Service.
Diversity
16 The PSC Scholarship offers great flexibility. As Singapore seeks to become more versatile and flexible to face ever-changing challenges, the Singapore Civil Service must prepare itself by ensuring that its leaders come from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We encourage PSC scholars to go beyond the traditional English Language speaking countries, to explore possibilities in countries such as China, France, Germany and Japan. This year, we have a scholar Ms Fawn Soon, who will be studying Psychology at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Fawn studied French up to the A levels. She will be taking a short French language course before embarking on her undergraduate studies. I am pleased that she has opted to take the road less travelled. I hope that more students will consider going to non-traditional countries to pursue their undergraduate degree, so that we have a more diverse mix of officers in the Civil Service. For those of you who have already decided to pursue your basic degree in UK, US and Singapore, I would strongly encourage you to do your Masters degree in another country, especially China, France, Germany and Japan.
Responsibilities of a PSC Scholar
17 As the 52 of you receive your awards today, you will join the illustrious ranks of men and women who have served their nation well. The PSC Scholarship awarded to you is a recognition of your abilities and achievements thus far, but it also brings with it high expectations that you will go on to make important contributions to the well-being of Singapore and Singaporeans.
18 As you undertake your undergraduate studies, bear in mind that you represent not just yourself and your family, but also Singapore and the Singapore Civil Service. When the time comes for you to return to serve your fellow Singaporeans, do so with passion and zeal. Remember that the scholarship you have accepted is not only an investment in dollars and cents; it is the investment of our nation’s hopes for the future. I urge each and every one of you to carry out your responsibilities to the best of your ability, and to do so with pride and integrity, as etched in the Pledge that you will take.
19 I wish you the very best for the future, as you embark on your scholarship and your career in the service of our Singapore.
20 Thank you.