I Naishad Kai-ren

As I considered my options for university, I realised that studying overseas would probably provide many new perspectives and opportunities to learn, especially from being immersed in a different culture and system, where the underlying assumptions that guide action – whether for the individual, private sector, NGOs, or Government – are very different from those in Singapore.  

Realistically, taking up a scholarship was also the only way for me to study overseas.  

There were of course, a myriad of scholarships available, from various Government organisations and even from the private sector.  

Ultimately, I took up the PSC scholarship because the raison d’etre of the public service strongly appealed to me – to continually find ways to fulfil the evolving needs and aspirations of our fellow citizens. I specifically took up the PSC scholarship because of the breadth of opportunities it provides to rotate across different ministries and sectors of Government with vastly different substantive content.

I work on public housing policy in MND, and I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this first posting 😊. 

Singapore’s housing situation is very unique, compared to most other countries. The vast majority of our citizens live in public housing, so our public housing provisions and norms contribute significantly to people’s quality of life and shape their everyday experiences and realities.  

One of the key policies I had the privilege of overseeing was the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP). We often hear heartwarming stories about how inter-ethnic understanding is forged through ordinary encounters, and the EIP seeks to create more opportunities for such organic interaction.  

That said, the EIP has caused some difficulties for homeowners who are unable to access the full buyer pool. My team initiated a review to ensure that the EIP was able to continue facilitating the desired outcomes, and that EIP-constrained homeowners were not unduly disadvantaged by the policy. The outcome was a new measure of assistance – that HDB would buy back flats from EIP-constrained homeowners facing genuine difficulties selling their flats.  

Personally, it was gratifying to be able to resolve a long-standing pain point for individual homeowners, and to ensure continued support for a policy crucial to our nation-building. Professionally, the review allowed me to see the full spectrum of the policy process – studying the situation, designing and evaluating various policy solutions, working through the implementation details, considering edge cases, and communicating the policy changes – and thereby, developing the key skills for a policy officer.

This is less a misconception, and more a discovery. Before I joined the Public Service, I didn’t realise how much work goes into ensuring that citizens can continue to lead their normal lives undisturbed, be it maintaining a steady supply of basic food items or preserving societal harmony. What we see as ordinary citizens is truly the tip of the iceberg.

Purpose-driven. I’ve been fortunate to work on policies that are close to my heart, and advocate for changes that are aligned with my beliefs to build a fairer and more inclusive society. But as with any job, the Public Service will bring its fair share of setbacks and tedious tasks. What gets me through those periods is the knowledge that I have the ability to influence and shape policies for the better and leave a positive, lasting impact on citizens’ lives.

If you want to make a positive difference in people’s lives in Singapore, the public service will give you the opportunities to make maximum impact.