Directors, Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Fund

Distinguished Guests

Lee Kuan Yew Scholars, Past and Present

Ladies and Gentlemen

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to this year’s Lee Kuan Yew Scholarships Award Ceremony. In 3 days’ time, Singapore will be celebrating its 42nd birthday. We have been fortunate enough to enjoy stability in the political, economic and social arena. Singaporeans have also enjoyed a high standard of living. Faced with the challenges of a modern world, Singapore and Singaporeans have done well to adapt to an ever-changing environment. There will, no doubt, be more challenges facing us in time to come. With good leadership and sound policies, Singapore will continue to be a nation of excellence.

2          To invest in our young talent is to invest in Singapore’s future. The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship is awarded to outstanding young Singaporeans who are leaders in their respective fields and who are also active in the community.

SELECTION AND CALIBRE

3          The selection criteria for the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship are highly stringent. The award is given out only to the most deserving of candidates. Besides scholastic achievements, a Lee Kuan Yew scholar must possess leadership qualities. He or she must demonstrate the desire to help others and participate actively in social or community work. What this means is that we are looking for leaders who have an innate sense of duty to serve their fellow Singaporeans.

2007 LEE KUAN YEW SCHOLARS

4          This year, the Public Service Commission received 72 applications for the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship. The 2 Lee Kuan Yew Scholars receiving their awards today are outstanding individuals who have demonstrated this combination of character and academic excellence. They are Dr (Miss) Wong Ting Hway and Miss Bianca Chan Su-Wan.

5          Dr Wong will be pursuing a Masters in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Miss Chan will be pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore.

6          It is a great honour to be awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship. To our new scholars – you can be justifiably proud of your achievements. As you pursue your academic passions, bear in mind that the fundamental aim of the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship is to develop leaders both in their respective fields and in the community. By accepting this Scholarship, you are signalling your commitment to developing and harnessing your talents for the betterment of Singapore and Singaporeans. Be involved in the local community, participate in community work, and channel your energies into serving your fellow citizens. I have no doubt that your future contributions to society will be just as significant as those of your predecessors.

7          As recipients of one of the most prestigious postgraduate scholarships in Singapore, Dr Wong and Miss Chan are joining a select group of men and women who have also been acknowledged and recognised for their contributions to society. Since the inception of the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship in 1991, a total of 24 scholarships have been awarded to date. I spot some past LKY scholars among our guests today. I am heartened to note that most of you are still actively involved in the community, in addition to pursuing excellence in your respective fields of academic or professional interest.

8          Once again, my congratulations to Dr Wong and Miss Chan for being awarded the 2007 Lee Kuan Yew Scholarships. I wish you the very best in your studies, and look forward to your continued contributions to society.

9          Thank you.