101 NEW DEFENCE SCHOLARS FOR S PORE

As Singaporeans age and birthrates decline, the country must find new and smarter ways to do more with less manpower. This is especially important in the critical area of national defence.

This was one of the key points made by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen when he spoke at the Defence Science and Technology Agency DSO National Laboratories (DSTA DSO) Scholarship award ceremony held on 22 Jul at Orchard Hotel.

Citing examples such as the newly commissioned Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicles, the recently launched Littoral Mission Vessels and the Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Dr Ng said that it was one matter to buy the assets but another to integrate the platforms into one coherent fighting system.

"To do that, you need strong scientific capabilities to bring the platforms together. After all, it s not like all your systems come from a single supplier."

Speaking of the achievements of the Defence Technology Community (DTC), Dr Ng noted: "If anyone had said 50, even 20 years ago, that we would be able to build (and operate) such systems, no one would believe it.

"The DTC forms an indispensable partner without which the SAF could not have progressed to what it is today - a modern, credible and professional fighting force."

This year, a total of 101 scholarships were awarded. When asked why he took up the DSTA Undergraduate Scholarship over others, Lieutenant (LTA) (NS) Nicky Lim said: "I wanted to serve the country (and) the eventual work that I will do is meaningful as it will contribute directly to the defence and security of Singapore."

The 21-year-old will head to the United States (US) to read Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "After graduating, I hope to contribute to the cyber defence of Singapore."

When asked what piqued his interest in defence, he recounted a visit to a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) unit where he took a ride in a Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle. He was studying at the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science then.

"Experiencing all the tech for myself made me realise how important technology is for our soldiers. Technology augments the soldiers' fighting capabilities thanks to the ingenuity of our defence scientists," said LTA (NS) Lim, who served in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit from 36th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers during his National Service days.

For fellow recipient Ann Chia, it was a matter of following her passion for flight and aeroplanes.

"I will enjoy a career in engineering (and) we were taught about Total Defence in school and how everyone can contribute to the country's security, so it was only natural that I joined the defence industry," said the 19-year-old who will read Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore.

With an inclination for the technical, Ms Chia said that she chose the DSTA-DSO scholarship because it guaranteed her a job that would immerse her in engineering work. "I wanted something which allows me to start work immediately in a field that appeals to me."

They join others who have already made their contributions to defence such as Ms Eng Huiling, a Project Manager at the Land Systems Programme Centre, DSTA.

She helped in the development of decontamination and treatment vehicles for the SAF and was part of the project team that worked to provide soldiers with equipment that protect them against chemical, biological and radiological threats.

"I feel a sense of achievement when I see my projects being put into real use to support national security," said Ms Eng. Like LTA (NS) Lim, she will be heading to the US. She will pursue a Masters in System Design and Management on a DSTA Postgraduate Scholarship.

"DSTA excels in tapping on the expertise of multi-disciplinary teams to realise capabilities for the SAF and my course will allow me to better embrace the challenges and complexities of managing defence tech programmes," explained the 30-year-old who will be studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ms Veronica Koh, on the other hand, is looking forward to learning from the best in her field of sonar systems. She will head to the Pennsylvania State University in the US to pursue a Masters of Science in Acoustics on a DSO Postgraduate Scholarship. The university is recognised as one of the best in the study of acoustics and sensors.

"What I'll be studying is relevant to my work and I hope to tap on their expertise to bring back some of the latest techniques to Singapore (to improve our level of technology)," said the 27-year-old.

This year, a total of 15 DSO and 20 DSTA Postgraduate Scholarships were awarded. There were also 36 DSTA Undergraduate Scholarships and 30 DSTA Junior College Scholarships awarded.