Opening address by Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Fund, Mr Eddie Teo, at the 2009 Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Award Ceremony on 12 August 2009 at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Directors, Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Fund;
Distinguished Guests;
Lee Kuan Yew Scholars, Past and Present;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

1.         Welcome to the 2009 Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Award Ceremony.

THE LEE KUAN YEW SCHOLARSHIP

2.         The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship was set up to groom leaders in different professions and disciplines. Established in 1991 in honour of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the scholarship recognises outstanding individuals with the passion to contribute to Singapore. The scholarship provides them with the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in their fields of interest. To date, 26 Singaporeans have been awarded the Scholarship, of whom 15 were sponsored for the Masters programmes, 10 for the PhD programmes and 1 for a post-doctoral fellowship. They have pursued a wide variety of courses, ranging from medical genetics to business administration. Our past Lee Kuan Yew scholars continue to contribute to a wide variety of professions. They also continue to volunteer their time and energy in projects and programmes which improve the lives of ordinary Singaporeans.

SELECTION & CALIBRE

3.         The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship is awarded to a very small number of people. We are looking for individuals who have distinguished themselves in their profession and who have empathy for the poor and less privileged in Singapore. Beyond their pursuit of personal success, they need to have a deep interest in the lives of less privileged Singaporeans and spend time doing community work to help such Singaporeans improve their lives.

2009 LEE KUAN YEW SCHOLARS

4.         This year, the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship Board received 82 applications for the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship. Of these, six were interviewed and two were selected. The two Lee Kuan Yew scholars this year are individuals who have made significant contributions to their organisations and are actively engaged in community work. They are Mr Gabriel Lim and LTC Ng Chad-Son.

5.         Both Gabriel and Chad-Son will be heading to the United States for their post-graduate studies, where they will read a Masters of Science in Management at Stanford University.

6.         It is an honour and privilege to be awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship. I urge you to continue in your efforts to become the best in your professional disciplines, and in so doing, help build a stronger and better Singapore. While you are in Stanford, I trust that you will actively contribute to campus life and engage in community work, spiritually enriching yourselves and materially improving the lives of the people you help. As recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship, you join a small fraternity of men and women who have both talent and heart.

7.         My congratulations to you both. I wish you the very best in your studies and future endeavours.

8.         Thank you.