MFA Press Release: Speech by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Balaji Sadasivan at the 11th Singapore Scholarship Certificate Presentation Ceremony, 5 August 2009

SPEECH BY SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS DR BALAJI SADASIVAN AT THE 11TH SINGAPORE SCHOLARSHIP CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, ON 5 AUGUST 2009 AT 1600 HRS, AT THE CAPRICORN, LEVEL 1, MARINA MANDARIN HOTEL

Excellencies,
Singapore Scholars and Parents,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Afternoon.

1 I am happy to be here this afternoon to officiate at the 11th annual Singapore Scholarship Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2009.

2 May I congratulate the 32 students from the ASEAN countries who are receiving the Singapore Scholarship, which comes under the Singapore Cooperation Programme administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You join the ranks of 488 scholars who have received the Singapore Scholarship since 1999 and many have moved on to make significant contributions to their country and the ASEAN Community.

3 Today you are embarking on a journey that will open doors leading to many new opportunities for you, your country and for ASEAN. Together with your ambassadors, parents, host families and other distinguished guests, we are here to celebrate this important milestone in your lives.

ASEAN as a Community of People

4 ASEAN has come a long way since its establishment on 8 August 1967. In three days' time, we will be celebrating the 42nd anniversary of ASEAN. Over the years, we have grown together as a harmonious group of diverse nations and peoples. United with a common purpose, we have been able to overcome challenges such as the recent global financial crisis, SARS and the December 2004 Tsunami.

5 While ASEAN has cause to celebrate the great strides that have been made economically, politically and socially for the past 42 years, we should also reflect deeply about where we want to be in the next decade. We need to work together to achieve the objective of an integrated ASEAN Community by 2015. But there will be bumps and obstacles along the way. Looking ahead, we must collectively work hard as a Community to address the many challenges that will certainly confront us.

6 ASEAN belongs to the people of South East Asia and the people of ASEAN are the region's most important resources.

Singapore's Commitment to Developing the ASEAN Talent Pool

7 As a founding member of ASEAN, Singapore has been providing technical assistance to our fellow ASEAN members. The provision of the Singapore Scholarship awards is one important facet of this assistance. Besides the Singapore Scholarship awards, Singapore has been sharing its experience and expertise in economic development, trade, urban development, environment management, information and communication technology, civil aviation, land transport, port management and other areas through the Singapore Cooperation Programme. To date, we have trained more than 38,000 officials from the ASEAN countries under our Singapore Cooperation Programme.

8 We hope that by nurturing young minds through the Singapore Scholarship programme, Singapore will be able to contribute to the development of the ASEAN talent pool. We envision that our young scholars here today will be nurtured to be someone who is socially responsible, democratic in attitude and outlook, respectful of human dignity, and passionate about improving the quality of life and the future of our ASEAN Community.

The Singapore Scholarship

9 As Singapore Scholars, you have the privilege to study at one of the three universities in Singapore - Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, National University of Singapore, and Singapore Management University. Our universities will not only provide you with a world-class education to help realise your potential and dreams; they will also offer you a diverse social and cultural experience that will make campus life enriching, vibrant and exciting.

Dare to Dream and Make a Difference

10 While you strive for academic excellence, I would also strongly encourage you to develop yourself holistically by building strength of character, honing leadership skills, serving the community and pursuing your interests and passions. It is assuring to know that many of our past and current scholars have been active in co-curricular activities and community work despite their busy academic schedules.

11 For example, Ms Loh Ker Yun from Malaysia has just graduated this year from the National University of Singapore with a First Class Honours in Pharmacy. Armed with a deep passion for pharmacy and a keenness to help others, she volunteered her precious time with the NUS Pharmaceutical Society (NUSPS) to reach out to aged residents of shelter homes. She conducted medication reviews and counselled the aged residents on how to take their medications properly.

12 As another example, Ms Dyane Blythe Tan Uy from the Philippines graduated from the Singapore Management University (SMU) this year with a Magna Cum Laude in Accountancy. Prior to coming to Singapore, Dyane was awarded the title Chief Girl Scout by Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her community efforts in her home country. Her involvement in community service continued during her stay in Singapore. Upon graduation, she is pursuing a career in accountancy and hopes that her work experience will enable her to set up her own business one day so as to create job opportunities for her fellow countrymen.

13 Both Ms Loh and Ms Dyane have not only gained tremendously in their academic field; they also gained a deeper understanding of what enlightened leadership entails and they should serve as role models for the new scholars to emulate.

14 I am sure that this year's batch of scholars will show the same promise and seize every possibility to widen your horizon and contribute to your country and ASEAN.

15 I will just cite an example here from our new batch of scholars. When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, Ms Ei Phyu's own house was destroyed but this did not deter her from travelling to the furthermost coastal regions to assist the other victims and reach out to those who were less fortunate than her.

17 I hope that the fine examples of Ms Loh Ker Yun from Malaysia, Ms Dyane Blythe Tan Uy from the Philippines, and Ms Ei Phyu from Myanmar will inspire each and every one of you to "Dare to Dream and Make a Difference" to yourself, your country and our ASEAN Community.

Adapting to a New Environment

18 For some of you, this may be the first time that you are away from your home country or this is your first time to Singapore. To help you adapt and settle in quickly to this new environment, we have arranged for a Singapore host family to be guardian to each of the new Singapore Scholar. To the participating host families who are here, I would like to thank all of you for volunteering your time and devoting your effort to this important function. In addition, a senior scholar has also been assigned to each of the new scholar as a "buddy." The senior scholar will ease your adjustment to campus life and provide valuable advice to you. Do cherish this bond of friendship with your host family and your "buddy".

A Word of Thanks

19 On behalf of my Ministry, I would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, National University of Singapore, and Singapore Management University for helping us implement the Singapore Scholarship programme. Your services are invaluable to the successful implementation of the programme. I am confident that the scholars are in good hands.

Concluding Remarks

20 I would like to end by leaving a few words to the young Singapore Scholars. We have offered you the Singapore Scholarship to help you realise your dreams and desires, so that you can eventually contribute more substantially to your country. You must believe in your own potential and that you can make a difference.

21 You should also make it a point during your stay in Singapore to engage in a wide range of activities and with people from different backgrounds, cultures and academic disciplines. You will learn something from everyone. And they, in turn, will learn from you.

22 Once again, I congratulate every one of you on having received the Singapore Scholarship. I wish you all the best in your studies and future endeavours.

Thank you.

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