Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship Award Presentation Ceremony at Istana

PSC Chairman, Chief of Services, CDF, Parents, Principals, SAF Overseas Scholarship Recipients, Distinguished Guests, good evening and a very warm welcome to this SAF Overseas Scholarship (SAFOS) Award Presentation Ceremony.

Some of you have been here many years; you know that every year, only a select few are chosen to receive the SAF Overseas Scholarship. SAFOS recipients stand out among their peers and are selected because of their sound character, strong leadership skills, academic excellence, and their commitment to serve our nation. Congratulations are indeed due to the three SAFOS recipients and their families today. This prestigious scholarship provides a vantage point to achieve your life goals. I am sure that amid the celebration, you will also remember your parents, teachers and peers, for their guidance and support.

As a SAFOS recipient, you are now in illustrious company. Look around you, many of them are here today. Many of your predecessors have risen to top leadership positions within the SAF. Many continue to serve and contribute to Singapore even after their retirement from active service. Six out of the current 15 Cabinet members are former SAF Overseas Scholars while many others serve as Permanent Secretaries at various Ministries or Chairmen and Chief Executives of statutory boards and private organisations. This is not a coincidence. This is because significant resources and deliberate efforts are committed to help SAFOS scholars realise their full potential so that they can serve Singapore and Singaporeans to the best of their abilities. If they excel and are diligent, SAFOS recipients can expect a challenging career path and undertake various command and staff appointments that will help to sharpen their mental, physical and leadership capabilities. For those who do well, they will be entrusted with heavier responsibilities, even at a relatively young age.

While the career proposition is no doubt exciting and rewarding, we remind ourselves that service in the SAF is not merely a career, but a national calling. Singapore enjoys peace and prosperity because we invest heavily in our defence and security to build a strong SAF - one that is widely recognised as a highly professional and modern force. We must maintain our commitment to defence as we will continue to need a strong SAF to buffer ourselves against a constantly evolving security environment, and a growing spectrum of threats.

In an uncertain and complex geopolitical landscape, more is expected from the SAF and its commanders. Increasingly, the SAF has had to venture into uncharted territory to accomplish our missions. For example, many SAF scholars have been deployed to participate and lead in our operations in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden. Currently, two SAF Overseas Scholarship recipients are deployed in Afghanistan - SLTC Tan Cheng Kwee, a 1997 SAFOS, and MAJ Cai Dexian, a 2003 SAFOS. COL Frederick Chew, a 1994 SAFOS, will also be deployed to the Gulf of Aden later this year as the head of a Command Task Group. These challenging tasks require the brightest minds and capable officers within the SAF who are able to lead their men and women to effectively fulfil every mission.

This is the reason why we pay particular attention to the SAFOS scholarship. It is a pipeline that has delivered leaders that shape and lead the SAF and in turn, help protect Singapore. This is why, as Minister for Defence, together with my colleagues, Minister of State Lawrence Wong and SPS Maliki, we make it a point to lend our support and to meet, often, SAFOS recipients, because leadership within the SAF counts.

The SAF Overseas Scholarship is a significant first step towards having a fulfilling and meaningful career. Over the next few years as you pursue your studies, I hope that you will make full use of the time and opportunities to train your mind, hone your leadership skills and build your character. Do your best. Stay the course. Always prove yourself worthy as a SAFOS recipient and distinguish yourself in everything you do. You should also be mindful that at all times, in and out of uniform, you represent the SAF and must embody its values of honesty and integrity. As a SAFOS recipient you must hold yourself to the highest standards of behaviour and decorum.

Let me once again extend my congratulations to the three of you for being awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. Many cohorts of SAFOS have journeyed on the path that you are now embarking on, dedicating themselves to building a strong and capable SAF that is committed to the defence of Singapore. I wish you success in your studies, and look forward to your contributions upon your return. Thank you.

More Resources

• Three Awarded Prestigious SAF Overseas Scholarship

• Fact Sheet: Recipients of the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship (SAFOS)

• Top talents answer call to defend Singapore