Speech by President S R Nathan at the 2008 President’s Scholarships Award Ceremony

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence and Minister in Charge of the Civil Service
Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education
Excellencies
Chairman and Members of the Public Service Commission
Ladies and Gentlemen

1         We will be celebrating Singapore’s forty-three years of independence in two days’ time. As we look forward to the occasion that rallies our whole nation together in celebration, we also honour the men and women who have contributed in their own ways, big or small, to making the dream of a peaceful, vibrant and successful Singapore a reality. We remember the difficult years of political upheaval and social unrest the founding government had to contend with. We also salute the determination, strength of character and foresight they demonstrated to transform Singapore into a stable and prosperous First World nation.

2         In celebrating how far we have come and how much we have accomplished, we need also to look to the future and continue to plan and be prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await us. To ensure that future generations of Singaporeans continue to enjoy economic success and social harmony, we need a competent and dynamic civil service.  This can be achieved by continuously building and nurturing talented young men and women to assume leadership positions in the Civil Service.

President’s Scholarships

3         The President’s Scholarship is the nation’s most prestigious scholarship, awarded strictly on the basis of merit. This award is given to the most able in each cohort.  President’s Scholars demonstrate more than just excellence in academics and outstanding participation in co-curricula activities. To be conferred this scholarship, they need to possess strong leadership qualities, a sound character and a deep commitment and desire to serve the nation and their fellow Singaporeans.

2008 President’s Scholars

4         This year, the President’s Scholarship is conferred on five outstanding individuals. They are Miss Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen, Miss Louisa Jean Lim, Miss Lim Shin Bin, Mr David Chan Tar Wei and Mr Daniel Ong Chin Hao. Miss Chong and Miss Lim Shin Bin will both be attending the University of Cambridge. Miss Chong, who will be reading Law, will join the Legal Service when she returns. Miss Lim Shin Bin will be reading Medicine. The third recipient, Ms Louisa Lim, will be reading Economics, Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick. Mr Chan, who will join the Foreign Service when he returns, will be pursuing his degree in Ethics, Politics and Economics at Yale University. Finally, Mr Ong, who is a concurrent holder of the Singapore Police Force Overseas Scholarship, will be reading Economics at Stanford University.

Roles and Responsibilities of a President’s Scholar

5        Our expectations of our President’s Scholars are high.  As the nation’s most able young men and women, we count on the five newly awarded President’s Scholars to do their part to contribute to Singapore’s continued success. Hold yourselves to the highest standard of integrity in all that you do, and remember your duty to serve the nation and your people. Put in your best not just in your studies, but also in preparing yourselves for public service in the next few years.

6         As leaders, remain humble and be open to views and ideas that are different from yours. Learn to communicate clearly and effectively, and to listen attentively to feedback. Never be out of touch with the ground, however far you may rise in your career.  While you are overseas, devote time not just to your studies, but also to understanding the people, culture and society you are in. When you return, continue to serve actively in your community and to help the less privileged in our society.

7         I would also like to congratulate and commend the families, principals and teachers of our newly conferred President’s Scholars. Their achievements today would not have been possible without your patient guidance and devotion. Your dedication to nurturing and moulding them into young people with great potential and teaching them to be passionate in serving others are reflected in their success today.

8         Once again, my congratulations to Miss Amanda Chong, Miss Louisa Lim, Miss Lim Shin Bin, Mr David Chan and Mr Daniel Ong. I am confident that you will not just live up to the hopes we have placed on you, but far exceed them and do Singapore proud. I look forward to hearing about your progress and achievements in your studies, and wish you well in your subsequent career as civil servants in the years to come.

9         Before I conclude, I would like all present to join me in paying tribute to someone present here tonight.  I refer to none other than Dr Andrew Chew, who retired as Chairman of the Public Service Commission on 31st July this year, and who has been responsible over the past 10 years for the identification and selection of each cohort of President’s Scholars.  It has been he, who has also ensured that Singapore continues to be able to attract and retain some of our best talent in key leadership positions in the Public Service.  His exacting standards in identifying, selecting and developing talent, whether in the award of scholarships or the selection and promotion of talent for the upper echelons of the Public Service, are reflected in what Singapore has in our Administration.  This year’s President’s Scholars were among the last to be picked by Dr Chew as Chairman of the Public Service Commission.  I would like you to join me in applauding Dr Chew to whom we are indebted for the role he played in the development of the high quality Public Service we have today.