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President's Scholarship
“Our expectations of our President's scholars are high. Hold yourselves to the highest standard of integrity in all that you do, and remember your duty to serve the nation and your people. As leaders, always remain humble. Never be out of touch with the ground, however far you may rise in your career. When you return, continue to serve actively in your community and to help the less privileged in our society."
- President S R Nathan at the
award of the 2009 President's Scholarships,
14 August 2008 |
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Overview
The President's Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship in Singapore. Scholarships are awarded annually to students who have demonstrated, beyond academic ability and excellence in co-curricular activities, to be individuals who display a strong ethos of public service, who possess an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Singaporeans, and who have shown a soundness of character and the potential to lead.
Candidates shortlisted for the President’s Scholarship are interviewed by a Selection Committee chaired by Chairman, PSC. Other members of the Selection Committee include PSC Members, as well as representatives from local universities. President’s Scholars represent the cream of the crop and the leaders amongst his or her cohort. To date, we have more than 200 President’s Scholars.
President's Scholarships are awarded concurrently with another PSC Scholarship.
History
The President’s Scholarships has its roots in the Queen’s Scholarship, founded in 1885. The Queen’s Scholarships was initiated by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, Governor of the Straits Settlements. It was awarded to the best student of the year by a special selection board comprising six members under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice. The scholarship was “awarded annually to enable those who wish to do so to take an approved course of study at an overseas university or institution”.
Past Queen’s scholars include: E.W. Barker (former Minister for Law) and Kwa Geok Choo (Mrs Lee Kuan Yew).
The Queen’s Scholarships were abolished in 1959 and replaced by the Singapore State Scholarship when Singapore became self-governing. The State Scholarships were only tenable at the University of Malaya and recipients were selected on the basis of merit from students admitted to the university.
Past Singapore State scholars include: former Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence Dr Tony Tan, and former Cabinet Minister, Dr Yeo Ning Hong.
In 1964, PSC Chairman Dr Phay Seng Whatt revised the regulations to the State Scholarships so that the scholarships were “awarded to the cream of each school-leaving year, on the basis of the Higher School Certificate results or where appropriate school certificate results, without exclusion on grounds of what or where these students prefer to study.” Students in all language streams of education in Singapore were also eligible for the Scholarship. Underpinning this review was the desire to uphold the basic intention of the Scholarships, which was that they were to be the most prestigious awards available conferred to the very best students on the basis of pure merit.
In August 1964, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara Scholarship were inaugurated to replace the State Scholarships.
Past Yang di-Pertuan Negara scholars include: Mr Lim Siong Guan, former head of Civil Service and currently Group President and Chairman of GIC Asset Management.
In 1966, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara Scholarship was renamed The President’s Scholarship following Singapore’s independence.
The first President’s Scholars include: Mr Lee Yock Suan, former Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Barry Desker, Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and Mr Koh Cher Siang, Chairman, Housing and Development Board.
Course of Study
A wide range of courses of study are available under the President’s Scholarship. President's Scholars may study any course leading to a first degree tenable at local or overseas universities.
University Admissions
Candidates should apply on their own for admission to local or overseas universities. Admission formalities should comply with the requirements of the Universities.