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SINGAPORE: Six President's Scholars aged between 18 and 19 years received their awards at the Istana on Friday evening. 15 had initially been interviewed by the Selection Board.
It was a solemn event as President S R Nathan reminded the students of their responsibilities as scholars saying that they should be committed to serving fellow Singaporeans, regardless of race, religion or socio-economic background.
Among the scholars was son of Attorney-General Walter Woon - Alexander Woon, who'll be reading law in the UK.
Like his peers, Alexander Woon has big dreams.
He is pursuing Law at Cambridge University and hopes to join the Attorney General's Chambers.
He said: “I'm hoping to do prosecutions and things like that because I feel that's something that makes a difference. That's something very tangible."
And he's not afraid to speak his mind, saying a discussion of different views will help in the growth of the public sector.
He added: "You can have discussion, constructive discussion from within and not have to rely on other people criticising the service in order to bring about change."
Former Dunman High student, Tan Bao Jia, said her decision to study economics at Peking University was fuelled by a desire to understand how China's economy works.
She said: "There is a need for public servants to understand how the Chinese work and then learn how to work with them and taking up the scholarship was like making a career choice. The public service is so huge. If you're talking about one or two years bond, you won't be able to really feel what public service is about and what each different ministry does, what is it like to make a holistic policy."
The other President's Scholars are pursuing degrees in foreign universities in subjects ranging from history to ethics and politics. - CNA/vm
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