Bumper crop of SAF, Mindef scholarships given out to females

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen (front row, centre) with the recipients of the Mindef/SAF scholarships, at the Istana on July 27, 2016. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/NG ENG HEN
Mindef/SAF Scholarship Award recipients (from left) ME4(T) Ho Yan Jin, MID Danyon Low Ming Loon and ME(4) Justin Goh Shu Hao. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

SINGAPORE - A bumper crop of 20 of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Ministry of Defence (Mindef) scholarships were given out this year to females, higher than that in previous years.

There were 17 female scholarship recipients last year, and 11 in 2014.

This year also marked the most number of scholarships given out in total, 47, compared with 43 last year.

Launching the SAF Engineering Scholarship at an award ceremony on Wednesday (July 27) at the Istana, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen highlighted the need to attract top scientists and engineers, as well as the rising trend of female SAF scholars.

He noted that both scientists and engineers, as well as commanders, are "expected and groomed to lead the Military Expert Corps...(and) they enable the SAF to be a superior force".

Commenting on the rising proportion of women personnel, Dr Ng said: "A broader pipeline has now been opened for women to contribute more to Singapore's defence. We already have women officers in wide ranging vocations, and some in pinnacle positions."

Three of the 20 female scholarship recipients this year were awarded the prestigious SAF Scholarship, widely recognised as second only to the President's Scholarship.

The SAF Engineering Scholarship is a new scholarship introduced in April to attract people with the interest and commitment to contribute to the SAF as military engineers under the Military Domain Experts Scheme.

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