Research and academic careers being fixed too early

I read with concern about the new Ministry of Education-Autonomous University Scholarship, which is to be offered at the undergraduate level. (“More support for students keen on research and academic career”; Feb 3)

It appears to be a poor strategy for, or band-aid solution to, a bigger problem, even though we lack a scholarship now that compels students to work at a local university after they graduate.

The worry is that we may be putting pressure on more top students to choose a career early in life. Moreover, we are channelling them into increasingly specific careers.

Scholarships used to be given mostly for Civil Service jobs; now, science research bodies have joined in too.

I am all for encouraging more Singaporeans to take up academic jobs here and enliven the academic scene; too many talents are being funnelled into public service and research institutes independent of the universities.

As the case of Dr Eng Kai Er shows, though, we may be fixing their careers too early, based on what little they know after junior college education.

Science and humanities as taught in schools can be very different from how they are taught in universities. Many PhD candidates, let alone pre-university students, are not intimately familiar with their subject of interest.

Unlike the Civil Service, which offers many positions and allows officers to rotate their jobs, smaller organisations such as research institutes and universities offer less room, presumably, to manoeuvre.

While retaining talent in Singapore is a good thing, retaining willing talent is just as important. Otherwise, we may see more Kai Ers in future.