105 Award Recipients, One Defence Community

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Scholarship to five recipients, Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship (Engineering) - Defence and Security to three recipients, SAF Merit Scholarship to 24 recipients, SAF Engineering Scholarship to five recipients, Defence Merit Scholarship to 14 recipients, SAF Medicine Scholarship to eight recipients, SAF Dentistry Scholarship to one recipient and Defence Science and Technology (DSTA) Scholarship to 45 recipients at a scholarship awards ceremony held at the Temasek Club this evening. A total of 105 scholarship awards were presented by Dr Ng.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of the defence community attracting the nation's top talents to contribute to the defence of Singapore. He added that the defence scholarship programme is a key plank through which MINDEF and the SAF compete to attract able and committed young individuals into careers for the defence of Singapore.

Dr Ng also spoke about Singapore's belief in a strong SAF and the unwavering commitment to defence since independence, he said, "This Government believes that the defence of Singapore is a long-term investment, both in people and equipment. Over the past six decades, we have never wavered in that commitment." Dr Ng commended the recipients for providing the strongest manifestation of this belief and commitment. Dr Ng advised this year's recipients to expand their horizons and comfort zones, and build trust with their peers and those they lead, which will enable them to lead with confidence and effectiveness. In closing, Dr Ng expressed his hope that the recipients will do their part and make a positive difference to the defence community. He said, "If we can keep to this virtuous cycle, then Singapore's future will continue to be bright and secure."

This year's scholarship recipients have demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding leadership qualities. They will be pursuing their undergraduate studies at reputable local and overseas universities. Upon completion of their tertiary education, recipients of the uniformed scholarships - The SAF Scholarship, the SAF Merit Scholarship, and the SAF Engineering Scholarship - will return to the organisation to assume a variety of appointments that will groom them for senior command and leadership positions in MINDEF and the SAF. Recipients of the SAF Medicine Scholarship and SAF Dentistry Scholarship will return as Medical Officers and Dental officers, and be groomed for senior medical positions in the SAF Medical Corps. The Defence Merit Scholarship recipients will return as Defence Executive Officers, and be groomed for senior management positions in MINDEF by taking on varied job challenges to hone their skills in critical defence areas. The PSC Scholarship (Engineering) - Defence and Security, and DSTA Scholarship recipients will be groomed through multiple career pathways for engineering and technological leadership positions in the Defence Technology Community.

Also present at the awards ceremony this evening were senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF, DSTA, DSO, CSIT, members of the PSC, school representatives, as well as the invited guests of the scholarship recipients.