ON CLOUD NINE

Nine scholars received their certificates of award from Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Temasek Club on 15 Aug.

Of the nine, six officer cadets received the Singapore Armed Forces Merit Scholarship (SMS), while three candidates received the Defence Merit Scholarship (DMS).

For Ms Christina Kwok, 19, her journey into the unknown started immediately. Right after the award presentation ceremony, the DMS recipient left for Changi Airport to fly to Cornell University in the United States.

"I'm all packed and ready to go!" exclaimed the former student of Hwa Chong Institution.

"Last night, I was feeling a little nervous about this whole new experience, but right now, I'm calm, but definitely happy!"

Ms Kwok has chosen to study Economics.

She explained her choice of subject: "Economics is always changing and its theories are always evolving, so it'll definitely keep me on my toes! And of course, it's most relevant to government policies."

She hopes to work in the finance department of the Ministry of Defence after her four-year course.

Also finding relevance in his studies to his future area of work is naval Officer Cadet (OCT) Neo Wei Siong. With his SMS, OCT Neo will study Psychology in the University of Michigan.

"I've always been interested in human behaviour, how we interact with each other and how society functions. The subject will help me in decision-making and managing different personalities, which is particularly useful in the Navy, which has a family-oriented environment and where we depend on each other greatly," said OCT Neo, who just returned to shore after sailing for a week.

This was his first sailing exposure since his enlistment in January this year.

A sportsman who represented Raffles Junior College in cross-country and track and field events, OCT Neo is also a musician who plays the piano and the trombone.

"Many of us tend to live quite sheltered lives in Singapore," he said.

"Being away from home will give me the opportunity to see how people of different races and backgrounds interact and co-operate. I hope to learn from them and broaden my horizons."

OCT Neo will leave for the US at the end of the month.

The SMS and DMS scholars will be put through a meticulous grooming and development programme to help them realise their full potential.

Since its introduction in 1983, only 271 youths have received the SMS while the DMS has been awarded to only 10 scholars since its inception in 2002.