Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I extend a warm welcome to all present at the 3^rd PSC Scholarships Ceremony. Every year, the Public Service Commission awards scholarships to bright and outstanding young Singaporeans. The 55 young scholars seated here with us today have excelled in their studies and are exemplary in their conduct. Although 41 years have passed since PSC awarded its first scholarship, many of the critical qualities that we look for in our scholars, have not changed. They must be steadfast in word and deed, committed, compassionate, with a desire to serve and a passion for the country. These are qualities that have withstood the test of time.

2          The purpose of the PSC Scholarships has always been to groom the nation’s best and brightest for public sector leadership. No country can thrive if its young talents are individualistic and apathetic. Indeed, if those who are our best and brightest do not feel a sense of duty to contribute towards the well-being of Singapore, our nation’s future will be bleak. To the scholars who are here with us today, for Singapore to continue to succeed and prosper in the years to come will depend on your commitment to serve our nation and our people.

3          We have high hopes and expectations of you. The challenges before you will undoubtedly be daunting, but we are confident that far from being burdened and weighed down by the responsibility placed upon your shoulders, you will rise to the challenge and do us proud.

Objectives of the Pre-departure Course

4          The past 2 weeks, you have been busy taking part in PSC’s pre-departure course. It is an introduction into the ways and ethos of the Public Service. You would have undergone a series of activities that aim to hone the qualities that you have demonstrated. Allow me to articulate some of these qualities, as it may help you reflect on the lessons you have learnt throughout the course.

5          First a leader must have a strong awareness of his own strengths and weaknesses, and mission in life. We want to groom leaders who are resilient and able to move others to go along with their vision and ideas. But before you become a leader, you must first be a team player. An effective leader cannot stay isolated from the people he is leading. He must be able to work and motivate his team and instill in them the team spirit necessary to fulfil their missions. The 3-day teambuilding exercise at Outward Bound Singapore would have demonstrated to you what it takes to be a good leader. The time you spent with each other and the experiences you would have shared, have given you a sense of collective identity, and allow you to belier appreciate your roles, contributions and impact as a PSC scholar.

6          Second you must have compassion for fellow Singaporeans. We hope that your attachment to neighbourhood schools and community grassroots organisations brought you face-to-face with a wide spectrum of Singaporeans, to hear and learn first hand their hopes and aspirations in order to better understand the very people you will be serving.

7          Third it is important that you develop a keen instinct for the interests of Singapore. The pre-departure course would have given you a taste of political, economic, security and social issues faced by Singapore, and allowed you to appreciate the geo-political context we are in, our history and our relations with other countries. I hope that now you better understand how delicately Singapore is put together, and therefore how necessary it is for our future leaders to appreciate the need to protect and safeguard the interests of this country and its people.

8          Fourth you must understand the complexities of policy-making, and an increasing need to be innovative in this effort. We had arranged for an outstanding slate of speakers and practitioners to speak to you. You have heard first-hand from experienced practitioners like Mr Khaw Boon Wan and Mr Heng Chee How. Both shared with you the inside track of developments of Singapore. Now you understand better why we always stress that Singapore is a unique country, and therefore we must formulate unique policies to meet our needs. You also had the chance to meet one of the pioneers of independent Singapore, Encik Othman Wok, as well as several senior public service leaders. We hope that their passion for making Singapore a better country, and their dedication in this pursuit, have moved you and led you to understand the fire and passion a scholar must have for Singapore. That they had taken time out of their busy schedules to speak to you, has affirmed the importance they place on PSC scholars, and your grooming as leaders.

9          Last but not least we hope to inculcate in you the identity and commitment as a PSC scholar. I am happy that this year, 55 of you have risen to the call of the public service. Today, you join the ranks of an illustrious list of PSC scholars. It is now up to you to follow in their footsteps. Yes, there are high expectations of you. But this is natural. By being awarded the PSC Scholarship, you have been identified as among Singapore’s best, and society places its faith in you. You are role models, and your deeds will be followed closely by many. Live your life, that it would be an inspiration to those who come after you. Do Singapore proud, as you have done your family, principals, teachers and friends.

10         To your family, principals, teachers and friends, I wish to say that I share your pride in this joyous moment. You have given much of yourselves to raise an exemplary crop of fine young Singaporeans for the nation. Your support and encouragement have surely played an important part for the 55 to be here today. For the next few years, PSC will take on the role to stretch and nurture further these excellent young men and women to become future leaders of our nation.

11         And finally, to the scholars, I ask that you adopt their values and principles, passion and conviction for Singapore to be your compass for the future. I trust that then, Singapore will be in your good hands.

12         It leaves me now to congratulate the new scholars, as well as their families, principals, teachers and friends. I wish you the very best in your studies, and every success as you embark on this new and exciting phase of your lives.

Thank you.