MINDEF AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 14 OUTSTANDING YOUTHS
PHOTO // Chai Sian Liang
An aspiring marine engineer who is passionate about using his engineering skills to defend Singapore's sea lines of communication. An avid soccer player who used the sport to deepen relationships with the soldiers under his charge when he was a platoon commander. A lady who hopes to strengthen Singapore's international standing through her interest in geopolitics relations and foreign policy.
Their interests and personalities vary but for their outstanding academic results and leadership qualities, Military Expert (ME) 4A Lloyd Chua, 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Cephas Ong and Ms Samantha Goh were among the 14 recipients of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Merit Scholarship and Defence Merit Scholarship this year.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen gave out the SAF Merit Scholarships to four Army scholars and five Navy scholars on 11 Aug at the Temasek Club. Dr Ng also presented the Defence Merit Scholarship to five recipients.
Recipients of the SAF Merit Scholarship, which was first awarded in 1983, will study in renowned overseas universities and upon their return, assume various appointments that will prepare them for senior command and leadership positions in the SAF.
For 2LT Ong who will read Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, his tour as a platoon commander affirmed his decision to take up the scholarship. The Armour officer took to his appointment as a commander like fish to water and relished the challenge of motivating and encouraging soldiers. Now, he is especially looking forward to the command tours he will embark on when he returns to serve in the SAF as a combat officer.
Like 2LT Ong, ME4A Chua cited his fulfilling National Service experience as the impetus to take up the scholarship, though his road to the SAF Merit Scholarship was not without its challenges. His academic results did not qualify him for selection initially, but his commanders recognised his outstanding military performance and recommended him for the scholarship. Also inspired by his older sister who was a Public Service Commission and SAF Merit Scholarship holder, he persevered through each interview panel. His determination has paid off and come September, he will read Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
Ms Goh, who was awarded the Defence Merit Scholarship, will read Political Science at University College London. The Dunman High School alumnus can look forward to a series of rewarding and challenging career appointments, which include formulating policies in the areas of Defence Relations, National Education, Finance and Human Resource, when she returns from her studies as a Defence Executive Officer.
The 19-year-old is looking forward to the international exposure that the overseas education will give her and is happy and excited about contributing to the defence of the country through this scholarship. "It's about protecting my country, home, community and land," she said.
