Five receive President’s Scholarship

SINGAPORE — With increasingly complex issues confronting the Republic in future, public servants must engage the public constructively, especially at the early stages of policymaking, and keep an open mind to the increasingly diverse views that Singaporeans hold, said President Tony Tan yesterday.

He was speaking at the President’s Scholarship award ceremony last night at the Istana. The scholarship was awarded to five of the most outstanding students from their cohort, Mr Arturo Neo Yong Yao, 19; Mr Brendan Dean Zhi Min, 20; Mr Tommy Koh Kit Shaun, 19; Ms Lee Zi Xin, 19; and Mr Eugene Lim Zhi Wei, 19.

Noting that the onus is on the five, as recipients of the President’s Scholarship, to help tackle the challenges Singapore faces, he said: “Doing this will require not only intellect, but empathy with those in our community.

“Be sure to consult a wide range of stakeholders, hear the voices of our citizens and keep an open mind to the increasingly diverse views that Singaporeans hold. Build relationships with all communities and leverage the diversity that makes Singapore unique in so many ways. Above all, remember that everyone has a part to play in creating a better, brighter future for Singapore in the years ahead.”

Mr Dean, who is the first President’s Scholar from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, will study biological sciences at Harvard University after he finishes his National Service stint.

Ms Lee will read economics at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr Koh will major in political science or psychology at Johns Hopkins University, while Mr Lim will read global affairs at Yale University. All three of them were from Raffles Institution.

Only Mr Neo, from Hwa Chong Institution, will pursue his studies locally. He will read medicine at the National University of Singapore.

All five have also been awarded Public Service Commission scholarships. CHANNEL NEWSASIA