Speech by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, Mr Raymond Lim, at the 4th Singapore Scholarship Certificate Presentation Ceremony, 12 August 2002

SPEECH BY MR RAYMOND LIM, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE 4TH SINGAPORE SCHOLARSHIP CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, 1530 HRS, MONDAY, 12 AUGUST 2002, MANDARIN COURT, MANDARIN HOTEL

We are gathered here today to honour the fourth intake of Singapore Scholars under the Singapore Co-operation Programme or SCP. On behalf of the Singapore government, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you.

As a country whose only resource is its people, Singapore believes that human resource development is vital for economic and social progress. Education forms an important component of our technical assistance programmes, particularly to our ASEAN friends and neighbours.

The Singapore Scholarship was launched by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at the 6th ASEAN Summit in 1998. The Scholarship was conceived as a means to ensure that educational opportunities remained available to bright young students in the ASEAN region despite the Asian financial crisis. In Nov 2000, the number of Scholarships awarded was doubled. Currently, we have 167 scholars studying here under this programme in fine universities like the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University.

This year, sixty scholarships have been awarded to students from all nine ASEAN countries. These scholarships are not only recognition of your academic abilities, they are an affirmation of the importance Singapore attaches to people-to-people contacts within ASEAN. By learning together and learning from one another, our sense of identity as members of an ASEAN community will grow. In this sense, you scholars represent the hope for a better future for the peoples of this region.

The courses that you have chosen range widely from engineering to business administration, and from the arts to computer science. I see that some of you this year will also be venturing into new fields, such as pharmacy and biomedical sciences. The knowledge and skills that you acquire will enable you to contribute meaningfully to your home countries.

Previous scholars have distinguished themselves and subsequently been offered the Accelerated Bachelors and Masters Programmes at NTU. Others have been placed on the Dean's List at NUS. With hard work and dedication, I am sure that some of you here today will not only follow in the footsteps of your predecessors but go on to much greater achievements which will do us and your families proud.

I should add that learning is not confined to the classroom only. Your presence in Singapore also contributes to the cultural diversity of our universities, making campus life more dynamic and engaging. I hope you will take part in extra-curricular activities, meet new people and sample the wide variety of activities available during your stay. The friendships you make with Singaporeans and they with you will enhance the spirit of solidarity in ASEAN.

For many of you, this may be your first time away for an extended period. To help you cope better; a Singaporean host will guide you and provide a listening ear. Each of you will also be assigned a senior scholar to act as a "buddy". They will ensure that your adjustment to campus life over here is a smooth one.

Now, let me take this opportunity to thank the representatives of the respective ASEAN governments for nominating their bright young students for the Singapore Scholarship.

I would also like to thank the Ministry of Education, NUS and NTU for their help in implementing the Singapore Scholarship. We are confident that the Singapore Scholars are in good hands.

Finally, I would like to wish all the Singapore Scholars the best of luck. May your stay in Singapore be enjoyable and meaningful.