OPENING ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, MR EDDIE TEO, AT THE PSC SCHOLARSHIPS AWARD CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, 25 JULY 2009, 2.30PM AT SHANGRI-LA HOTEL Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong   Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Civil Service and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean   Distinguished Guests   Ladies and Gentlemen                 Welcome to the 2009 PSC Scholarships Award Ceremony. I know that this is a proud day for the scholars, principals and parents who are with us today. My congratulations to the scholars for their achievements and my appreciation to the principals, teachers and parents for playing a key role in helping to make the students who they are.   2.         PSC scholarships are awarded strictly on merit.  There is no annual quota.  Any applicant who meets PSC’s high standards will be made an offer. The numbers given out each year depends on the number of deserving candidates, not the economic situation. Hence, if we have a larger number of PSC scholars this year, it is because we had a bigger pool of talent to choose from, with more of our best and brightest students opting to take up the PSC Scholarships.   3.         The PSC looks for integrity, commitment and innate ability in selecting our scholars.  We want scholars who have sound values, which they are not afraid to express or uphold against peer pressure.  Our scholars must also show a sense of commitment to Singapore, through deeds as well as words. Innate ability includes good academic results and high IQ. But for anyone to succeed in life and career, he also needs other skills and qualities such as self-awareness and the ability to get on and work with other people. To reach the top of the Public Service, the scholar also needs leadership qualities.   4.         Singapore education landscape has changed over the years, and so has the profile of our scholars. The award recipients today include the first batch of students from the integrated programmes from Dunman High School, NUS High School, Temasek Junior College and Victoria Junior College.   5.         This year, the PSC received more than 2,500 scholarship applications. Of these, almost 350 candidates were interviewed.  I am glad to announce that 84 have been awarded PSC Scholarships.  Of our 84 scholars, 39 will be pursuing their studies in the UK, 23 in the US, 10 each in China and Singapore, and 2 in Japan. Our scholars are well sought after by other countries as well, as evident from the visits to the PSC from representatives of foreign missions in Singapore asking why we are not sending more of our scholars to their countries.   6.         I am particularly pleased that we have found 10 outstanding students for the inaugural PSC China Scholarship. These 10 students will be studying at top Chinese universities such as Peking and Tsinghua.  7 are from the Bicultural Studies Programme and 1 from the Chinese Language Elective Programme.  The remaining 2 students did not have this extent of exposure to the Chinese language and culture.  But that did not stop them from rising to the challenge of taking a path less travelled.   7.         In addition to the 84 scholars, 2 undergraduates have been awarded the PSC Mid-Term Scholarship.  The two Mid-Term scholars who are receiving their awards today are Mr Choo Jun Quan and Mr Faiz bin Mohd Irwan Law.  Mr Choo is reading Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NUS, while Mr Faiz is reading Communication Studies at NTU.  Receiving his award today is also Mr Jeremy Auw Jian Jin, who did his International Baccalaureate overseas.  Mr Auw will be reading Biology at NUS. This brings the total number of scholars receiving their awards today to 87 – 15 more than the 72 awarded in 2008.   8.         PSC places great importance in training and developing our scholars.   The first development programme for our scholars is the Pre-Departure Course, which provides all scholars with a foundation on Singapore’s principles of governance and a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s socio-political landscape through a series of lectures, learning journeys and dialogue sessions with public sector leaders.   9.         The Pre-Departure Course also provides scholars with a deeper understanding of, and empathy for, the community through attachments to voluntary welfare organisations, schools and Community Development Councils. They also attend a Meet-the-People Session to learn first hand about the concerns of ordinary Singaporeans.  .             10.        The development and training of our scholars does not end with the Pre-Departure Course. Throughout the course of their studies and even after they join the Public Service, the Public Service will continue to help them gain the knowledge and skills to better serve Singapore and Singaporeans.   11.        It is a privilege to be awarded a PSC Scholarship.  The expectations are high but I am confident that all of you will do us proud.  Go beyond the confines of your class room walls, whether in Singapore or abroad.  If you are overseas, please interact with the people there and learn about their culture. Do not waste the opportunity to participate actively in campus and community activities so that you can obtain a well-rounded and balanced education.    12.        Lastly, I would like to once again say a special thank you to the parents, principals and teachers.  Our scholars’ achievements are a result of your tireless devotion in nurturing them to be capable young men and women.   13.        Thank you.