Opening Address by Chairman, Public Service Commission, Mr Eddie Teo, at the 2011 PSC Scholarships Award Ceremony on 23 July 2011 at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister in charge of the Civil Service and Minister for Home Affairs

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1       Welcome to the 2011 PSC Scholarships Award Ceremony. Today’s event has a special significance, as we commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Public Service Commission. My congratulations to this year’s new cohort of PSC scholarship recipients as well as their parents, principals and teachers.

2       PSC scholarships are awarded to top students who demonstrate a passion and commitment to serve in the public service. There is no annual quota for the number of PSC scholarships we award each year. All deserving candidates who meet the PSC’s high standards will be made an offer, regardless of his or her background.

3       It is a privilege, but also a responsibility to receive a PSC scholarship. You are expected to have, above all, high standards of integrity, the right values and genuine commitment to public service. Beyond intellectual qualities, what should distinguish you is your sincerity in wanting to make a positive impact to the lives of your fellow Singaporeans and your potential to lead with humility and empathy.

2011 Selection Exercise

4       This year, the PSC received more than 2,000 applications. Between January and July, the Commission interviewed more than 320 candidates. I am glad to announce that 72 have been selected this year. Amongst them, 39 will be pursuing their studies in the UK, 25 in the US, 5 in Singapore and 3 in China. They will be reading a diverse range of courses including Economics, Engineering, International Relations, Law, and the Sciences.

Profile of Scholarship Holders

5       As Singapore’s education landscape and policies change, we are now seeing more and more applicants from different educational backgrounds. Our award recipients today include the first batch of students from the integrated programme of River Valley High School, as well as the first batch of students from NUS High School who completed the entire 6 year programme in their school.

6       You will be heading to a diverse range of more than 20 top local and overseas universities and colleges. I am pleased to note that 3 of you have picked China to do your undergraduate degree. Mr Won Cheng Yi Lewis will be reading International Relations at Peking University, Ms Long Qian Qian will be reading Economics at Tsinghua University, while Mr Koh Liang Wei will be reading Finance at Fudan University.

7       The three of you will add to the diversity of our talent pool and strengthen the Civil Service’s ability to respond to global changes. We hope that this trend of taking the path less well travelled will continue.

Development of Scholarship Holders

8       The PSC believes in investing in the development of all our scholarship holders. You have completed a 2-week Preparatory Course, which includes learning journeys to a Community Development Council, dialogues with senior civil servants, workshops as well as a 3-day Outward Bound course. The programme exposed you to real community issues and gave you a sense of what it is like to serve the public.

9       There will be many more development opportunities for you as you embark on your studies. And after you graduate, there will be more structured milestone programmes to equip you with the right public service values and skills.

Conclusion

10       As Ambassadors of the Singapore Public Service, I am sure that you will do us proud, not only by excelling in your studies but also by actively contributing to university life and the community you are in, whether in Singapore or abroad. I wish you every success in your studies and look forward to having you back in Singapore and the Public Service.

11       Thank you.