43 RECEIVE DEFENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented defence scholarships to 43 recipients at a ceremony held at the Istana on 29 Jul. These were: the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Scholarship, presented to 10 recipients; SAF Merit Scholarship, presented to 20 recipients; and Defence Merit Scholarship, presented to 13 recipients.

In his speech, Dr Ng spoke of the challenging careers that the scholars would have ahead of them, saying: "This is not a routine desk-job career that you have signed up for. An SAF career will stretch you and test you."

But if they overcame the challenges, the scholars would have a meaningful career and make a large impact on society. He said: "I do not think this wide impact of SAF scholars on society at large is a matter of coincidence, because the military is inherently an ideal ground to test and groom leaders."

Dr Ng urged the scholars "to win the respect of the men and women you lead, before they will charge for you. Effete or uncaring leadership is quickly shown up."

He added: "Those who have gone on this path before you have blazed a trail and set high standards that you must now aspire to If each generation shows the same unwavering determination to take up the duty of defending Singapore, I am confident that we will be able to confront uncertainties with courage and resilience, and emerge stronger as a nation."

Introduced in 1971, the prestigious SAF Scholarship, formerly known as SAF Overseas Scholarship, is second only to the President's Scholarship.

Recipient of the SAF Scholarship, Army Officer Cadet (OCT) Jeremiah Choo Yih Shin, is excited about the opportunities that the scholarship will offer him. He said: "I feel that taking up a leadership position in the SAF comes with a lot of responsibility, but it will really empower me to make a difference to the lives of people, especially National Servicemen."

OCT Goh Si Ying, SAF Merit Scholarship (Women) recipient who is training to be a Ground Based Air Defence officer in the Republic of Air Force, also looks forward to effecting change. "I would be able to inspire the men I lead," she said. "I really wish the day will come when someone walks up to me and tells me, 'I've made it so far because of you.' Making a difference in the lives of my men is something that I aspire to do."

Fellow SAF Merit Scholarship (Combat) recipient Second Lieutenant (2LT) Surya Padmanabha Bhat, a Naval Officer, feels that taking up the scholarship will allow him to grow and mature as an individual and as a leader. He said the scholarship offered him a chance and the means to further his growth as a young adult: "Firstly, by allowing me to gain exposure in an overseas university, where the experience and demands will temper me, and secondly, by allowing me to take up greater responsibilities and affect more meaningful improvements for my charges."

For Defence Merit Scholar Tay Jing Yi, she found that the core values of the SAF were aligned with hers, hence taking up the scholarship was a natural choice. She said: "I believe that, if I were to take up a scholarship, there has to be meaning in it, and I must agree with what the organisation is doing; (which) I completely do when it comes to the Defence Merit Scholarship."