SINGAPORE: The Public Service Division in the Prime Minister's
Office is introducing a one-year Overseas Development Programme for
China to groom public servants for China-related work.
This was announced at the Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarships award ceremony on Saturday.
Fresh graduates or mid-career professionals can apply for the programme
where they will get to spend up to nine months working in a Singapore
company or government agency located in China. When they finish their
stint, they will be doing China-related work in the Civil Service in
Singapore.
This year, 87 PSC scholars were selected from over 2,500
applicants. And a record number will be going to China for their
undergraduate studies.
The PSC has been sending scholars to China since 1993 but the numbers have been small in the past.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, speaking at the award ceremony,
said: "We need to send more students to study in China because it has
become a major player in Asia and in the world.
"Its influence has grown and will continue to grow. Its relevance to us is increasing.
"And we need people who can understand the Chinese, interact with them,
be comfortable in that milieu, be able to read how they think, how they
act, what their preoccupations are, and to know some of them personally
so there are personal ties to link you up."
Ten students were awarded the inaugural PSC China Scholarship,
seven are from the Bicultural Studies Programme and one from the
Chinese Language Elective Programme.
Lau Yuan Zhi, a recipient of the PSC China Scholarship who is
headed to Peking University, said: "China and Singapore currently
already have very strong bilateral ties. Through more of us going over
there, we hope that when we come back, we can serve the government,
serve the people, to strengthen such ties."
This year, two undergraduates were also awarded the PSC Mid-Term
Scholarship, the purpose of which is to widen the points of entry into
the public service. Since its inception in 2007, six such scholarships
have been given out.
Faiz Mohd Irwan Law was one of the PSC Mid-Term Scholarship
recipients this year. The Honours-year student at the Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) said: "When I finished my 'A' Level, I
haven't decided what I wanted to do as a career. It was only after my
experiences in NS (National Service) and a few years of my university
that I realised that I have a passion to serve the people."
For the future, Mr Lee said the PSC will have to work harder to
bring in good people, as more scholarships become available and more
parents have the resources to send their children abroad.
Meanwhile, those interested in the Overseas Development Programme
for China can attend an information session on 15 August. More
information is available at this website: www.psd.gov.sg/odp
- CNA/ir
Sometimes I find myself wondering.
Back when PRC was really very poor, Nanyang Uni was made to close down for fear of communist influence.
Now they're so called rich, suddenly you wanna make ppl to learn Chinese when lots of parents are alrdy influenced by old days policy.
Anyway, the issue of guanxi, you sure tat it's really a good way of communication? I point to them, the recent Rio's case. A failed accquisation by cardboard can lead to retailation by cardboard
Back when PRC was really very poor, Nanyang Uni was made to close down for fear of communist influence.
I think that was due more to suppress opposition to PAP regime, nothing to do with PRC.
Originally posted by Ah Chia:I think that was due more to suppress opposition to PAP regime, nothing to do with PRC.
it was coincidental, the main founder of Nanyang Uni Mr Tan Lark Sye was also a leftist siding w/ e BS
I remembered hearing his citizenship kena revoked, tat's why today only Dr Lien was honoured w/ a road named after him in NTU's campus and not Mr Tan Lark Sye.
it was coincidental
What thing coincidental?
Originally posted by Ah Chia:What thing coincidental?
actually there's too much politics behind e closure
actually there's too much politics behind e closure
The chinese culture all destroyed by Lee Kuan Yew.
He is very insecure because he is not chinese, so keep on suppress chinese schools, dialects.
Originally posted by Ah Chia:The chinese culture all destroyed by Lee Kuan Yew.
He is very insecure because he is not chinese, so keep on suppress chinese schools, dialects.
Tat's one side.. In fact initially NTI was not even proposed
Also because of the English policy, a generation of kids were grown w/o much Mother Tongue - leading to a bigger problem for kids today as those kids then become parents, thinking MT not impt.
Afterall, Mother Tongue is our roots
leading to a bigger problem for kids today as those kids then become parents, thinking MT not impt.
That is due to the policies of Lee Kuan Yew.
He is banana, so people turn to banana he doesn't mind.
He is a bastard.
dun forget "Stop at 2"
Now ask ppl to have more
Also casino.
Originally posted by Ah Chia:The chinese culture all destroyed by Lee Kuan Yew.
He is very insecure because he is not chinese, so keep on suppress chinese schools, dialects.
sorry to inform you the chinese culture destroy by communist themselved. Individual do not kill cultures of 5000 yrs old. ideologies does.
only concern i have....... are we learning the right stuff from China? they are opening up and developing so fast that they don't even know what they are doing at times.....