1.         A very good afternoon and welcome to the inaugural MOT Family Scholarship Ceremony. 

 

2.         Let me first congratulate our scholars and their families. You have been selected for the scholarship based not just on your distinguished academic and CCA records, but also on the strength of your character and how well your aspirations fit in with MOT’s mission and vision.  Our selection criteria are stringent.  We seek to attract and develop a pool of talented and dedicated individuals to effectively lead and manage Singapore’s transport sector.  

 

3.         The MOT Family has important national roles to provide an efficient land transport system and to strengthen Singapore’s global air and sea connectivity. 

 

4.         The transport industry itself is a key contributor to the Singapore's economy. The aviation sector contributes about 3.4% to Singapore's GDP and employs more than 44,000 employees, while the maritime industry contributes 7% to our GDP and employs more than 150,000. Both our airport and seaport have consistently won numerous accolades, and their efficiency and connectivity have contributed to making Singapore a competitive location for manufacturing and a global business hub. In land transport, we have provided a reliable, affordable and efficient public transport system and we are now in the midst of implementing an ambitious long-term Land Transport Masterplan in keeping with our aspirations for Singapore to be a vibrant, global and liveable city.

 

5.         The quality of our transport infrastructure has also won worldwide recognition. The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report ranked Singapore’s quality of air transport and port infrastructure first globally for the past 3 years. The same report also ranked us first for the quality of our roads in 2009, a significant improvement from 2008 when we were ranked third.     

 

6.         All these would not have been possible without the high quality and committed officers in the MOT Family who have developed and implemented our plans and strategies creatively and conscientiously in the past.   

7.         If we are to continue to excel, we will need to have a good share of the talent pool across many disciplines.  This requires us to develop our existing staff as well as recruit new blood to strengthen our team.  It is because the MOT Family needs to bring in some of the best young people to bring the transport sector to the next level that we are offering scholarships to promising young people like our recipients today, and hiring fresh and mid-career recruits from both the public and private sectors.

 

 

8.         Our Statutory Boards, CAAS, LTA and MPA, have been awarding undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to attract and develop talent for many years. From this year, we will bring the scholarships together under the branding of the ’Beacon Scholarship’.  

 

9.       We have chosen the name ‘Beacon Scholarship’ as we believe our scholars should demonstrate best-in-class leadership so that like a beacon, others may take bearings from you as a 'guiding light’.

 

10.       This year, we received a total of 1,400 applications for the undergraduate scholarship, out of which only 17 were successful.  The scholarship-winners will be pursuing disciplines relevant to the diverse work of MOT, ranging from engineering, geography, international relations and economics to law. Over the years, more than 200 undergraduate scholars have gone for studies at renowned universities worldwide and returned to serve in key positions in our Statutory Boards. 

 

11.       Along with the launch of the Beacon Scholarship this year, we also had the first run of the MOT Scholars’ Orientation Programmetwo weeks ago. We hope that this programme has not only given you a better understanding of MOT’s mission and role but also provided you with an awareness of your leadership profile as well as essential life and etiquette skills to prepare you to be more wholesome individuals. Your development and training does not end with this programme.  When you return from your studies, we will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills for the role that you will perform.

12.       In addition to the undergraduate scholarships, I am also pleased to present postgraduate scholarships today to two outstanding officers. They have proven themselves to be talented officers who have high potential to advance much further within the MOT Family.  They will be pursuing further studies in specialized fields as part of their career and professional development. 

 

13.       In conclusion, I wish you all the best in your studies, and look forward to the contributions that you will make to the transport sector after you return. Thank you.