Guest-of-honour RADM (NS) Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I extend a warm welcome to all of you here at the annual PSC Scholarships Award Ceremony. This annual event marks an important milestone for PSC scholarships. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on our work in the past year. It is also an occasion for us to share in the joy of families, teachers and friends, as we congratulate the new cohort of PSC scholars selected this year.

2003 DEPLOYMENT EXERCISE

2          Over the past 12 months, PSC interviewed 143 scholars due for deployment. These are scholars who have completed their studies or would be completing their NS. So far, 140 have already started work, most of them in the public service. 103 scholars have been posted to one of the ministries, while 31 were sent to Statutory Boards. Another 6 scholars have embarked on the Gap Year Programme and are now working in the private sector. They will return to serve the government next year.

3          Of the 143 scholars, 37 have also been appointed to the Management Associates Programme, or MAP. These Management Associates, or MAs, will be placed on development programmes and rotated to at least 2 ministries within the first 4 years of their career. They will then be assessed for the Administrative Service.

4          We wish them the very best as they embark on their careers in the public service.

2004 PSC SCHOLARSHIPS SELECTION EXERCISE

5          This year, PSC received 1,173 applications for our scholarships. A total of 248 candidates were interviewed between January and May. Of these, 34 have been awarded PSC scholarships. So far, another 162 have been awarded ministry scholarships. The ministry scholars are also receiving their awards at ceremonies organised by the respective ministries.

6          Of the 34 PSC scholars selected this year, 17 will be pursuing their undergraduate studies in the UK, 12 in the US, and 3 in the People’s Republic of China. The remaining 2 scholars will be pursuing their studies locally at the National University of Singapore.

7          This year’s cohort of PSC scholars is smaller than in previous years. This is partly reflective of an increasingly competitive scholarships market. But, more importantly, this is because PSCs role as a scholarship body has evolved.

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF PSC

8          The PSC has moved from being an organisation that awards scholarships, to one which also co-ordinates and monitors government scholarship matters. This is done with the broader objective of ensuring that the government continues to take in a fair share of young talent, and no more.

9          But we must also spread them in an efficient manner. Over the past 2 years, PSC has sharpened its focus on the top scholarships for leadership talent, while the ministries gradually took over the scholarships meant for their professional services. The Statutory Boards have already been administering their respective specialist scholarships for some time.

10         This framework allows the government to allocate our talent resource efficiently, as each agency is able to identify and develop their scholars early, even while they are still studying. This however also means that students must think a lot harder about possible careers when they apply for scholarships.

11         To an eighteen-year old, this will not be easy. When you are eighteen, the world is full of possibilities. But for scholarship applicants, they must learn to at least round them down to 2 or 3 options. This is because every scholarship comes with a career that they are expected to pursue for the first few years of their working life.

12         Many of the candidates that were interviewed by PSC this year continued to be of good calibre, with some clearly demonstrating an interest and aptitude for specialist careers like research, finance, etc. In fact, several have already been offered scholarships by other agencies. For these candidates, PSC did not offer them scholarships, even though they would have made good PSC scholars.

13         This is not a loss for the PSC. On the contrary, the government has gained, by having these scholars preparing early for their preferred careers with the respective ministries and Statutory Boards. If they perform well, there will still be opportunities for them to be considered later in their careers for the Management Associates Programme and even the Administrative Service, to groom them for leadership positions.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPMENT

14         At PSC we take the process of grooming and developing our scholars seriously. PSC scholars are placed on development programmes at different stages during their studies and after they start work. This allows us to maximise their potential and prepare them for future roles and responsibilities.

15         Even before the ceremony today, the new scholars have already completed their first development programme - the Pre-Departure Course. It is the first in a series of important milestone programmes for PSC scholars, and provides the foundation for learning and development.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PRE-DEPARTURE COURSE

16         The Course aims to provide an introduction to the policy issues and priorities facing the government today, and to develop empathy for the issues faced by Singaporeans. It is also meant to foster self-awareness and camaraderie among the new scholars.

17         In the past 3 weeks, leaders and policy makers from different agencies spoke to you, our new scholars, on a wide range of economic, security and social issues. They include Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for the Environment, and Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Second Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on NEWater and our foreign policy, respectively. These sessions would have given you a better understanding of the unique circumstances facing Singapore as a nation, and how our policies are formulated with these in mind to shape the country’s future.

18         But we should not move forward without understanding where we came from. You had the opportunity to meet Encik Othman Wok, who shared his experiences during the tumultuous events surrounding Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. I was told that many of you were moved by his passion and commitment to Singapore, as he vividly recounted the events that took place nearly 40 years ago. Passion for the country is a key quality of PSC scholars.

19        Another equally important quality is compassion for its people. The attachments to the Community Development Councils, grassroots organisations and neighbourhood schools would have allowed you to belier appreciate the aspirations and concerns of the people that you will be serving.

20         The Course is not without its lighter moments. I am sure all of you will remember fondly the 3 days you spent together on Pulau Ubin at Outward Bound Singapore, as well as the cooking lessons at SHATEC.

21         I hope that all of you have found the Course fruitful and enjoyable.

CONCLUSION

22         Today, by being awarded a PSC scholarship, you will be adding to a heritage of more than 40 years. The expectations on you are high. But I have no doubt that, in time to come, you will carry on the proud tradition of PSC scholars, serving and making a difference to Singapore and Singaporeans.

23         Let me once again 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.