Facing challenges with resilience and innovation while giving back

Professor Phua Kok Khoo, Chairman, Tan Kah Kee Foundation,

Mr Tan Keng Leck, Vice Chairman, Tan Ean Kiam Foundation,

Mr Osbert Lyman, Li Siong Tay Charitable Foundation Limited,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

1. A very good evening and congratulations to all the scholarship recipients! I'm glad to be able to join you today at this year's Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship Presentation Ceremony.

2. Many of you would be familiar with the late philanthropist Mr Tan Kah Kee, who strongly believed in the progress of society through education. The Tan Kah Kee Foundation launched the Tan Ean Kiam Postgraduate Scholarship in the Humanities in 2011 and the Li Siong Tay Postgraduate Scholarship in 2018, to encourage more Singaporeans to further their studies in Humanities, Education and the Arts. These Scholarships have since supported more than 290 scholars in fulfilling their aspirations.

Following in the footsteps of our forefathers

3. Some shining examples from the scholarship's alumni pool include Professor Eugene Tan and Dr Chua Ai Lin, who are currently serving in the Scholarship Committee to ensure continuity in this programme. Others like Ms Tang Tee Khoon, a violinist, holds music master classes for children to enrich their learning. There is also Assistant Professor Lee Kah Wee. He educates future Singaporean architects in Architecture and Sustainable Design at the National University of Singapore. These are just a few of the scholars that this programme has supported, and with their support, they are able to do good for society in their various fields.

Facing challenges with resilience and innovation

4. This year, the Scholarship Committee received 130 applications from students in Pure Sciences, the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Let us continue to recognise the work of humanities scholars and social scientists who study social interactions in our complex world. Real world problems are often multi-disciplinary, requiring not only technical knowledge but also acknowledgement of shared values we hold as a society. 

5. More importantly, as we encounter new and evolving problems ahead, it is imperative that we remain resilient and innovative, view problems as opportunities, and apply what we've learned for the betterment of humanity. We can embody the spirit of Singapore's early pioneers – they exemplified an enterprising can-do spirit in overcoming challenges of their times.

Nurturing a civic culture of consideration, care and contribution

6. Many of this year's scholarship recipients have demonstrated a passion towards the community and society at large.

7. Take Jolene Chiang for example. She will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Art Therapy at LASALLE College of the Arts. In the past six years, Jolene pursued her passion in the social sector, and managed healthcare and education community projects in Cambodia and Thailand. Through a fund-raising event, she raised $12,000 for Cambodian youths living in shelter homes to enrol in vocational school. Back home, Jolene was part of the Youth Corps Singapore team, mentoring and curating projects that developed youths into leaders who serve vulnerable communities.

8. Jolene is clearly committed to serve our community and our neighbours by helping those in need. Her work exemplifies our culture of consideration, care and contribution. As we develop as a nation, let us continue to build on the spirit of SG Cares, to actively look out for one another, and leave no one behind.

9. I'm sure Jolene's peers seated here, will also in their own way make a big difference in their respective communities and sectors they work in, and pursue their dreams and aspirations for themselves and the community.

10. Congratulations once more to all scholarship recipients! I look forward to your future contributions to society. Wishing all of you continued success in the years ahead.

11. Thank you and have a great day ahead.