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OPENING ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, MR EDDIE TEO  AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SCHOLARSHIPS AWARD CEREMONY ON 12 JULY 2017 AT GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT HOTEL GRAND BALLROOM

 

Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister in charge of the Civil Service, and Coordinating Minister for National Security,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

     Good evening and welcome to the 2017 Public Service Commission Scholarships Award Ceremony. Congratulations to the 71 PSC scholarship holders this year, who were selected from a pool of over 2000 applicants.

        My congratulations also extend to your family members, principals and teachers who have played a role in developing and supporting you. This evening’s ceremony is an occasion of great pride and joy for you and for them. Much of what we achieve in life is never due to only our own effort and we must all have the humility to realize this and recognize the nurturing care, guidance and support from others.

 

A Heart for Singapore and Singaporeans

        You are here today not only because you recorded stellar academic performances or have high intellectual abilities. An academic high-achiever without integrity, a drive for excellence and a heart for service is a poor fit for the Public Service.

         As PSC Scholarship recipients, you have committed to serving Singapore and Singaporeans through a Public Service career. The PSC believes that you have the values and qualities, such as compassion, integrity and empathy to contribute to Singapore’s progress and provide excellent service to the citizens through the different career tracks which you will embark on.

 

A Tapestry of Diverse Talents

        Today we live in a complex world with many uncertainties. But for Singapore, being small is a certainty which we forget at our own peril. Being small means we cannot be complacent and depend on past success to propel us into the future. The Public Service cannot rely on successful past formulas to meet future challenges. As future public officers, you need to continuously ensure that the Public Service is future-ready to solve problems which you may not even be aware of today. Meeting such problems requires new, innovative solutions. Being innovative requires you to be brave enough to challenge old, conventional thinking, and risk failure and criticism. Facing an uncertain and complex future requires us to build a Public Service which has a diverse set of talent to generate a wide range of ideas to formulate robust policies.

          Therefore, I am pleased that our scholarship holders this year come from quite different backgrounds.

        We have Miss Jacinth Chia from Pioneer Junior College, who showed strong community involvement by conducting events like the Values-In-Action project and exercise classes for her school and the community. We also have with us Mr Soon Qing Rong from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. He exhibited community-mindedness through his Final Year Project which explored a method to diagnose premature deliveries among women, which in turn allows an earlier and better management of the health impact of pre-term delivery on the infant.

        It is encouraging to see excellent candidates from across 15 different schools with the desire to make a difference through a career in the Public Service. They will bring valuable insights to the Public Service and enrich the discussions within.

         I encourage students from all schools who are interested in pursuing a career with the Public Service through a Government scholarship not to hesitate to take the first step of putting in an application. The PSC has no quota for scholarships awarded nor do we prefer students from certain schools. Rather, beyond academic excellence, the PSC takes into consideration whole-person qualities and awards the scholarships based on merit regardless of the candidate’s background.

        I am also heartened that some of our scholarship holders will be taking the path less well-trodden to study in the non-traditional countries.

        This year, 2 scholarship holders will be going to non-English speaking countries for their undergraduate studies. Miss Yuki Chong Yu Qi will be furthering her studies in China, at Peking University. We also have Mr Jasdeep Singh Hundal, who will be heading to France as part of his dual-degree programme at Sciences Po and UC Berkeley to read Social Sciences and History.

        The rich and unique threads of experience that they will bring back from their time abroad will add colour and vibrancy to the Public Service tapestry.

 

Building up Engineering and Technological Capabilities for the Public Service

        In December 2016, we launched the PSC Scholarship (Engineering). This year, we have a total of 17 recipients choosing to study a STEM subject. 8 scholarship holders will be doing so under the PSC Scholarship (Engineering). The favourable response from the applicants shows that the younger generation is eager to contribute to our goal of being a government at the forefront in using technology to improve the lives of our people.

 

Conclusion

       Our new scholarship holders have significant roles to play in the next chapter of the Singapore story. Keep yourselves up-to-date with developments in our country, and if you are overseas, an important role you have is to make friends not only for yourselves but also for Singapore. Always watch and observe what you can bring back to Singapore to help improve the lives of your fellow citizens.

       I am confident that you will fly Singapore’s flag high wherever you are, and I look forward to your future contributions to Singapore.

        Congratulations.

       Thank you.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean

and Mrs Teo

 

Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng

and Mrs Ng

 

Excellencies

 

Chairman and Members of the Public Service Commission

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

Good evening

 

Every year, the President’s Scholarship is awarded to exceptional young men and women who pledge to serve Singapore and Singaporeans through a career in the Public Service. Recipients of the President’s Scholarship are among the most outstanding in their cohort. Besides achieving academic excellence, the recipients are distinguished by their leadership qualities, sound values and commitment to improving the lives of the people in our community.

 

2016 President’s Scholars

 

This evening, the Public Service Commission recognises five outstanding young men and women for their leadership capabilities and strong passion to contribute to the continued success of Singapore.

 

They are Mr Joshua Chin Zen Jie, Miss Natasha Ann Lum Mei Seem, Mr Timothy Ong Kah Yong, Miss Olivia Ong Si Hui and Mr Sean Ong Zhi Han. Joshua and Natasha will be serving in the Singapore Armed Forces. Joshua will be studying Environmental Science. Natasha is the second ever female recipient of the SAF scholarship and President’s scholarship. Timothy will read Law and join the Singapore Legal Service upon graduation. Olivia will be reading Psychology, and Sean History.

 

My heartfelt congratulations to the five of you.

Continuing our Forefathers’ Legacy

 

            Two weeks ago, we gathered to celebrate Singapore’s 51st year of independence. Our forefathers dedicated their lives to transforming Singapore from a small trading port to a successful first world nation. Despite hailing from diverse cultures and backgrounds, they shared the vision of creating a better future for Singapore, and took on challenges with courage and determination.

 

            In the formative years of our nation, we were blessed with leaders, like former President S R Nathan. Mr Nathan dedicated his life to serving Singapore. He struggled side by side with others of his generation, united in the same purpose – to help our fledgling Singapore flourish. He truly embodied the values of public service, placing country before self even to the point of quite literally risking his life, during the Laju hijacking incident. He was a fearless defender of Singapore’s interests abroad, and a passionate nation-builder at home, patiently weaving the fabric of a caring and cohesive society.

 

            From starting the President’s Challenge to encourage more Singaporeans to help the less fortunate, to investing in Singapore’s future through education, to promoting racial and religious harmony, his heart for and commitment to the people of Singapore were clear and inspiring. Mr Nathan will be missed.

 

            As we reap the fruits of this previous generation’s labour, we continue to need leaders with resilience, commitment and foresight, who will build on the foundations laid for us.

 

Building a Future-Ready Singapore

 

This year is a turning point for Singapore as we enter our next half century as an independent nation. While those who came before have left us a rich legacy, we remain a small country with no natural resources apart from our people. We constantly need to refresh our knowledge and renew our system to safeguard Singapore from external threats and prepare ourselves for the future.

 

As recipients of the President’s scholarship, you bear a special responsibility to continue the efforts to take Singapore forward. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and seek opportunities to broaden your outlook. In doing so, you will acquire fresh perspectives that enable you to connect the dots from global developments to national issues.

 

As leaders of our future generations, you play an integral role in leading by example to inspire fellow Singaporeans to become forward-looking citizens. This future-orientation is necessary because Singapore and the world around us are changing ever faster. The effects of globalisation and rapid technological change can be seen in everything from the volatility of our external environment, to the growing threat of trans-national terrorism and to the changing aspirations of our citizens.

 

To keep pace with these changes, you will need to challenge yourselves and continually push boundaries in acquiring new skills that are pertinent to the future. As public officers, you will need not just to forge ahead yourselves, but to inspire fellow citizens to come with you, cultivating citizens’ sense of ownership as you build Singapore together. To do this you must stay closely connected to the ground, and listen closely and respectfully to the concerns and opinions of the people.

 

As you lead Singapore towards a brighter future, remain true to our culture, heritage, values, and the core principles that our forefathers believed in. Never lose sight of the mission to serve the people and our nation.

 

Conclusion

 

Let me conclude by congratulating the families, principals and teachers of our new President’s Scholarship Recipients. You were essential in shaping their character, values and strong ethos for service. Your support and guidance throughout the years have nurtured them into outstanding individuals.

 

Joshua, Natasha, Timothy, Olivia and Sean - I am confident that all five of you will do Singapore proud, and be role models of the Public Service values of Integrity, Service and Excellence for those around you. Embrace your responsibility to become exceptional public service officers, and dedicate yourselves to going the extra mile in serving our nation and our people.

 

I wish you success in your journey ahead, and look forward to you serving the nation with passion and pride when you begin your career in the Public Service.

 

Thank you.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR TEO CHEE HEAN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, COORDINATING MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND MINISTER IN CHARGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AT 2016 PSC SCHOLARSHIPS AWARD CEREMONY ON 20 JULY 2016

 

“A Public Service with the Head, Hands and Heart to build a Better Singapore”

 

Mr Eddie Teo, Chairman of the Public Service Commission

Members of the PSC

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

1.             Good evening to all of you. Congratulations to our 73 scholarship recipients this year. I would like to congratulate the parents, principals and teachers who have helped, supported and guided you over the years.

 

A New Chapter, A New Generation

 

2.             Today marks the beginning of your public service journey to make Singapore better, and improve the lives of Singaporeans. You are now part of the new generation of public officers who will help to write the next chapter of our shared Singapore story. Each chapter is different from the previous one, and each generation has to tackle its own challenges.

 

3.             Today, we are facing a growing terrorism threat. Our economy is going through a transformation. Our population is ageing, and our young people have more diverse aspirations. But compared to the early years of our independence, we are better equipped to tackle these challenges and seize new opportunities. We are more united as a people than at independence. Our elderly can age actively, and still contribute in various ways. Singaporeans are much better educated, and there are many, many more pathways for Singaporeans to pursue their dreams.

 

4.             What this means for the Public Service is that simply doing the same things as before is not enough to help Singapore and Singaporeans progress further. You will need imagination, to develop new responses and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. You will need courage, to stop doing old things which might have worked in the past but are no longer right for the future. And you will need wisdom, to rethink policies and programmes that better meet Singaporeans’ needs.

 

The Public Service Needs a Diverse Team of Good People

 

5.             This is why we need to bring in good people to join the Public Service – dedicated public officers who are committed to making Singapore better for all Singaporeans. Who understand cross-domain issues and trade-offs, and can help strengthen policy development and implementation across the whole of Government. And at the same time, we need officers who have deep skills and specialised capabilities in areas such as technology and engineering, to help develop innovative solutions for complex problems in different specialised domains that are critical for our future.

 

6.             The PSC Scholarship together with agency scholarships is just one of many routes through which good people enter the Public Service. Others may join us as fresh graduates, or after they have gained some experience in other fields, including the private and people sectors.

 

7.             Regardless of the route of entry, we need our public officers to have three key attributes, which I summarise as Head, Hands and Heart.

 

Head

 

8.             Let me start with Head. Our public officers need to have deep knowledge and hard skills. Many of you are going to top universities in Singapore and overseas, to learn from the very best professors, across a wide range of subjects. You will benefit not just from classroom teaching and academics, but also learn and grow through your daily living experiences. Keep an open mind, and be prepared to learn from everyone around you, and to learn throughout life. Armed with a familiarity with new knowledge and where the new world is taking us, you will be able to help us think through issues and long-held assumptions, and come up with new and innovative solutions to make Singaporeans’ lives better.

 

Hands

 

9.             Next, Hands. Because just head knowledge is not enough. We also need public officers to be prepared to roll up your sleeves, get into the details, and do the implementation work. You will face more complex issues that require cross-cutting solutions straddling different government agencies. We are also seeing more Singaporeans come forward to offer their time and expertise to work with government agencies. So you will need to work hand-in-hand with partners, from other government agencies, from the private and people sectors, and ordinary Singaporeans, to develop and deliver good policies, programmes and services. The Public Service must not be an organisation unto itself. It must be out there with Singaporeans, working with Singaporeans, to make Singapore better.

 

Heart

 

10.          But most importantly, public officers must have a Heart for public service. You have to derive happiness from other people’s happiness. No amount of skill or knowledge can compensate for lack of heart. Take the time to listen to Singaporeans’ concerns and better understand their needs. Be empathetic, even as you have to make difficult decisions that may not be universally popular. Always seek to maximise the benefit for the majority of Singaporeans, even if not everyone will benefit from a specific policy or programme to the same extent. Make sure that every Singaporean is brought along through the totality of our programmes and policies. Live by the Public Service values of Integrity, Service and Excellence.

And always do what is right by the people of Singapore. Ultimately, this is what it means to be a public officer – to have Singapore and Singaporeans at the heart of everything we do.

 

Conclusion

 

11.          Our public officers have contributed much to Singapore’s development in our first 50 years. And there is much more to be done as we write the next chapter of the Singapore story together with fellow Singaporeans.

 

12.          I congratulate you once again. I wish all of you very best as you embark on your studies. And I look forward to all of you coming home, putting your Head, Hands and Heart, to make Singapore even better for all of us and for future generations.

 

13.          Thank you.

OPENING ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, MR EDDIE TEO AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SCHOLARSHIPS AWARD CEREMONY ON 20 JULY 2016 AT GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT HOTEL GRAND BALLROOM

 

Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister in charge of the Civil Service, Coordinating Minister for National Security

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.         Good evening. Welcome to the 2016 Public Service Commission Scholarships Award Ceremony. Congratulations to the 73 PSC scholarship holders this year.  And thank you to all your families, principals and teachers who have devoted their time, energy and care to supporting and developing you over the years.

2.         This year, we received over 2,700 applications for the PSC and Ministry Scholarships, a five-year high and a 13% increase from last year. This indicates that despite all the other options they have, young Singaporeans still aspire to take an active role in shaping the future of Singapore by pursuing a Public Service career. For Singapore to continue to advance and prosper, it is vital that the Public Service remains as an appealing career option for a future generation of Singaporeans.

Looking beyond Academic Qualifications

3.         PSC Scholarships are awarded based on merit. Merit is not high academic qualifications. We award scholarships to people whom we assess to have the character, aptitude and ability to perform the job, regardless of background or socio-economic status. The qualities deemed essential for good public servants have changed over the years. For instance, today’s civil servants are expected not just to draft clear and sensible policies for the common good, but also to forge partnerships with citizens in co-creating those policies, and to communicate the policies to the public with clarity and empathy. So candidates with perfect grades may not make good public officers. Conversely, we have excellent public officers who did not score perfect grades. Academic ability alone would not have gotten you here today. Beyond academic results, each of you demonstrated core attributes that the PSC holds to be essential to the Public Service. The PSC believes that all of you possess integrity, empathy, leadership, a passion and commitment to serve Singaporeans and to contribute to the progress of Singapore.

A Diverse Leadership Corps for the Public Service

4.         As Singapore’s demands and challenges shift, we need different types of leaders with a diverse range of skills and perspectives, who will form a strong leadership team for the Public Service. I am thus pleased to see in our scholarship holders a range of different interests and backgrounds. The PSC continues to be supportive of sending our scholarship holders to good universities in a variety of countries around the world.

5.         This year, Miss Nur Sabrina Bte Mohamed Yusoff, will be pursuing Psychology at the University of Melbourne – the first PSC scholarship recipient in nine years to head to Australia. She had participated in the French Immersion Programme and was both a member of the Malay Language Drama and Debate Society as well as the English Drama Club in school. I am confident that Sabrina will integrate her inclinations in cultures and languages with her experience in Australia and bring back unique perspectives when she starts work in the Public Service.

6.         Our scholarship holders also come from a range of different educational backgrounds. We have with us today, Mr Daniel Ho Jing Yang and Mr William Tan Jing Yu from Singapore Polytechnic, Miss Jean Chia Wei Lin from Ngee Ann Polytechnic as well as Miss Rachel Chew Min Qi from School of the Arts (SOTA).

7.         The PSC is constantly looking to supply the areas of need in the Public Service. We need both generalists and specialists to better cater to the wide-ranging needs of Singaporeans and Singapore, tackle policy deadlocks and improve the quality of public services. Alongside generalist leaders, we also need engineers, data analysts and other technical leaders in order to devise technically sound and integrated solutions for our nation. For those who would like to deepen your professional development in your area of specialisation, the Service will support your aspirations and aptitude. Under the Public Service Leadership Programme (PSLP) which spans the Public Service, you can be ear-marked to join specific agencies which are aligned to your skills and interest. This year, we have 13 scholarship holders pursuing studies in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. We hope to see more in the years to come.

Benefits of Local University Education

8.         This year, a significant number of candidates at PSC interviews expressed their desire to study locally. While an overseas education has its rewards of broadening perspectives and offering a cosmopolitan experience, our local universities offer comparable academic rigour. In the latest Times Higher Education Report, NUS and NTU were ranked first and second respectively in Asia. Local institutions also provide close proximity to the community and ground sentiments. For the 13 scholarship holders who will be pursuing your studies in Singapore, please take this opportunity to cultivate a habit of listening to what people say about life, the issues that concern them, and the problems they face, as understanding ground sentiments is critical to the work of a public officer.

Conclusion

9.         In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to again thank the principals and teachers who have worked closely with us. We greatly value your partnership in reaching out to your students and encouraging them to consider a career in the Public Service. I would also like to thank the families for their invaluable support.

10.        To our new scholarship holders, please take every opportunity to widen your worldview as you embark on this new phase in life. You will be in the best universities in the world. So make the most of your undergraduate experience, both academic and non-academic. By all means become master of your subject of study, but more importantly, grow as a person. Adopt an open attitude and be receptive to constructive criticism that comes your way. Make friends for yourselves and for Singapore. Continuously seek personal improvements and prepare yourself for your role as public officers. Stay connected to Singapore and think deeply about your country and its future. Above all, stay true to your values and your commitment to serve Singapore through public service.

11.        I am confident that you will do us all proud, and I look forward to learning of your future contributions to Singapore.

12.        Once again, my warmest congratulations.

13.        Thank you.