Sanjay Nanwani

I’ve had a passion for public service since young. I can’t pin it down to a particular moment of enlightenment, but over time I realised I was motivated by the pursuit of social equity and justice, and these are objectives which resonate more in the Public Service than the private sector.

Being a scholarship holder is both a privilege and a duty. You will be given many opportunities to develop your potential, expand your horizons and widen your network. But as a flag bearer of the Public Service, your actions will be scrutinised more closely, you will be held to higher expectations, and you should endeavour to reflect the best that the Public Service has to offer.

My journey has been peppered with many memorable experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to board a US Navy aircraft carrier where I witnessed military diplomacy in action; go behind the walls of Changi Prison to understand how inmates were being prepared for their second chance at life; visit Pulau Satumu (the southernmost island of Singapore) to more fully appreciate the importance of the maritime domain to Singapore’s livelihood; and walk through MRT tunnels under construction to understand the engineering complexities and challenges of expanding our rail network. These reflect the diversity of the Public Service’s efforts to improve lives and secure Singapore’s future.  

Many people think that all PSC scholarship holders are put on an escalator to the top from their first day at work. But the reality is that the distinction between scholarship holder and non-scholarship holder melts away from very early on; these labels don’t stick. And the Public Service has many capable officers – including those without scholarships – so one will not progress without demonstrating competence and delivering results. 

Integrity. Public officers have their own views and perspectives, but they all want to do right by Singapore and Singaporeans. 

Don’t be afraid or shy to apply even if you didn’t get straight As in school. Many scholarship recipients (including me) didn’t, and the scholarship selection process today is much more holistic than before.