Three candidates have been awarded the 2023 Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship
The President will appoint Mr Seck Wai Kwong as a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC) with effect from 15 February 2024, for a five-year term in the first instance.
Mr Seck, 68, held senior positions in the Monetary Authority of Singapore, GIC, Lehman Brothers, DBS Bank, SGX, State Street Bank and Trust Company before retiring as the Chief Executive Officer of Eastspring Investments Group, the investment management arm of Prudential plc, in August 2023.
He is currently a GIC Advisor Emeritus and a Director on the GIC Board, with memberships in both the Risk and Audit Committees. He also serves on the board of OCBC Bank and its Audit and Risk Management Committees.
Mr Seck was conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2017 and the Public Service Star (BBM) in 2023.
Chairman of the PSC Mr Lee Tzu Yang said, “I warmly welcome Mr Seck to the Commission. His wealth of experience in the public and private sectors will complement the composition of the PSC.”
Ms Chin is passionate about leadership development of women. She is the management sponsor of the Women’s Interest Network, an employee resource group that promotes the advancement of women in ExxonMobil. She is also engaged in company-wide activities, such as ExxonMobil volunteer programmes like the annual Adopt-a-Rental Block grocery donation, Junior Achievement and small group volunteering.
Chairman of the PSC Mr Lee Tzu Yang said, “I warmly welcome Ms Chin to the Commission. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusiveness in leadership and will be a strong contributor to PSC’s efforts to attract and develop more diverse talents for the Public Service.” On her appointment, Ms Chin said, “I am honoured by the appointment and privileged for the opportunity to serve in the Commission for the advancement of Singapore’s public service.”
The President has appointed Mr Warren Fernandez as a Member of the Public Service Commission (PSC) with effect from 1 June 2023, for a five-year term in the first instance.
Mr Fernandez, 57, is the Chief Executive Officer of Edelman’s Asia-Pacific region, a global communications firm. He has more than three decades of experience in the news, media and communications sector, having served in key appointments such as editor-in-chief of the English/Malay/Tamil Media Group in SPH Media and editor of The Straits Times. He was previously President of the World Editors Forum and Chairman of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
Mr Fernandez has also contributed to numerous public sector boards, including the National Heritage Board, National Parks Board, and the National Environment Agency, and is currently a board member of the National Arts Council and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Mr Fernandez is a graduate of Trinity College, Oxford University and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
On the new appointment, Chairman of the PSC Mr Lee Tzu Yang said, “I warmly welcome Mr Fernandez to the Commission. His experience will complement the expertise of the PSC and support our efforts to identify and attract outstanding talents from a wide range of backgrounds to consider a public sector career.”
On his appointment, Mr Fernandez said, “Singapore is fortunate to have public institutions which are highly trusted and widely respected, both for their integrity and effectiveness. This was the result of relentless efforts by past and present generations of leaders and stewards, not least those at the Public Service Commission. It is a privilege to be able to contribute towards keeping these efforts going, and I look forward to doing so."
(L to R) Dr Sharmini Rathakrishnan and Ms Jean Tan En Qi
2023 LEE KUAN YEW SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CEREMONY
1. The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship was set up in 1991 by the Tanjong Pagar Citizens’ Consultative Committee in commemoration of the significant contributions made by Singapore’s founding Prime Minister. It is funded by donations from the public and awarded to exceptional individuals who demonstrate a strong sense of commitment to serve Singapore and her citizens.
2. Three outstanding candidates have been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship this year to support their pursuit of postgraduate studies. The awardees are:
| S/N | Name/Age | University/Course |
|---|---|---|
1 | Ms Jean Tan 陈恩齐 Age 37 | PhD at the Social Research Insitute (with integrated research methods training) University College London United Kingdom |
2 | Dr Sharmini Rathakrishnan ஷாமினி ராதாகிருஷ்ணன் Age 28 | Master of Public Health John Hopkins University United States of America |
3 | Mr Pek Yipeng, Albert 白奕鹏 Age 36 | Sloan Fellows Master of Business Adminstration Massachusetts Institute of Technology United States of America |
3. Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship holders may choose to pursue their postgraduate studies in any country and field of study that best develops their potential as leaders. The scholarship holders are expected to contribute actively to better Singapore and her community.