Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen honors 105 recipients at the Temasek Club, emphasizing the importance of talent in national defence.
Singapore – August 5, 2024: Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen awarded 105 scholarships at a ceremony held at the Temasek Club, marking a significant event for Singapore’s defence community. The awards were given to individuals demonstrating academic excellence and leadership potential, preparing them for crucial roles within the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the broader defence sector.
Dr. Ng presented The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Scholarship to five recipients and the Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship (Engineering) – Defence and Security to three recipients. Additionally, 24 individuals received the SAF Merit Scholarship, five were awarded the SAF Engineering Scholarship, 14 were granted the Defence Merit Scholarship, and eight received the SAF Medicine Scholarship. One recipient was awarded the SAF Dentistry Scholarship, while 45 individuals received the Defence Science and Technology (DSTA) Scholarship.
During his speech, Dr. Ng emphasized the need for Singapore’s defence community to attract top talents to ensure the nation’s security and prosperity. “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,” he stated. He also highlighted Singapore’s long-standing commitment to building a robust SAF, noting, “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 their dedication and urged them to broaden their perspectives and build trust within their teams. “If we can keep to this virtuous cycle, then Singapore’s future will continue to be bright and secure,” he said, encouraging the scholars to make a positive impact within the defence community.
The scholarship recipients will pursue undergraduate studies at prestigious local and international universities. Upon completing their education, recipients of the uniformed scholarships – The SAF Scholarship, the SAF Merit Scholarship, and the SAF Engineering Scholarship – will assume various appointments in MINDEF and the SAF, preparing them for senior leadership roles. Recipients of the SAF Medicine and Dentistry Scholarships will join the SAF Medical Corps as Medical Officers and Dental Officers, respectively, while the Defence Merit Scholars will become Defence Executive Officers in MINDEF. Scholars from the PSC Scholarship (Engineering) – Defence and Security, and the DSTA Scholarship will embark on careers in engineering and technological leadership within the Defence Technology Community.
The awards ceremony was attended by senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF, as well as representatives from DSTA, DSO, CSIT, and the PSC. School representatives and invited guests of the scholarship recipients also joined the celebration.
Source – MINDEF
