2011 President's Scholars

[dimsum]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1146719/1/.html


SINGAPORE: Four young individuals were recognised as this year's President's Scholars. They received their awards from President S R Nathan at the Istana on Friday evening.

The scholars - Xiao Yifei , Aaron Koh, Nigel Fong and Yoong Ren Yan - were chosen because they excelled not just academically but demonstrated their commitment to public service as well.

Speaking at the award ceremony, President Nathan said the President's Scholarships is one main avenue to build up a pool of people with the right calibre who could in future become public sector leaders.

\"As a new generation, you will have different values and perspectives from my generation. You will face different circumstances and challenges, but the same passion to stand up for Singapore, to serve our people and do your best for our nation, must still underpin all that you do as future leaders of Singapore,\" he told the scholars.

\"In all you do, always have the interest of our people at heart and never forget to show compassion to those who are less fortunate than you. For our society to remain strong and cohesive, we need public officers who listen and appreciate the problems faced by ordinary citizens and believe in the need to give back to society.\"

19-year-old Yifei came to Singapore from China when she was four years old.

Though she carries a dual citizenship, the former Raffles Institution student said she has always considered herself a Singaporean and will have no issues renouncing her Chinese citizenship when she reaches 21.

If she chooses to keep her Chinese citizenship, her scholarship will be terminated.

Yifei spent a large part of her school life volunteering and organising charity events such as a camp for disadvantaged children to boost their confidence.

She said: \"They didn't really have any role models in their lives. As JC students, even we could inspire kids who are in primary school. I felt that a lot more can be done to help them rise from circumstances and help these children fulfil their potential.\"

18-year-old Ren Yan of Raffles Institution also enjoyed the time spent with children as a volunteer. He said interacting with autistic students at St Andrew's Autism Centre was the most inspiring.

\"It's a very different education system for them....the fact they are in an autistic school, not a mainstream school. That's a big difference in itself. And the challenges that both they and their teachers face. And of course that leads me to wonder whether it's possible to develop policies in order to better serve their needs,\" said Ren Yan.

For 19-year-old Nigel Fong, the President's Scholarship is an opportunity for him to contribute, particularly on the medical front.

He said: \"I would hope to make a difference in the field of palliative care, because that is a very new field that many countries around the world also have difficulty coping. When it comes to policy, also, it is quite tricky. How do you help this group of people?\"

For 18-year-old Aaron Koh, the former Hwa Chong Institution student has used his spare time to help distribute food to the less needy. He was also awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship.

- CNA/ir

[dimsum]

why can’t she renounce it now?

[verykiasu2010]

dimsum:

why can't she renounce it now?

not yet 21 y/o

[3Boys]

Oh oh, here we go…

[raysusan]

double post

[raysusan]

dear yifei…please don’t hold dual citizenship

come to Singapore …we welcome you:)

[verykiasu2010]

raysusan:

dear yifei...please don't hold dual citizenship

come to Singapore ...we welcome you:)

she is already here in singapore

she can't shed her chinese citizenship until she reaches 21 years young

[dimsum]

verykiasu2010:

dimsum:

why can't she renounce it now?

not yet 21 y/o

Pardon my ignorance, so it has to be 21 yrs old for renouncement and cannot be earlier?

[verykiasu2010]

3Boys:

Oh oh, here we go.......

Again

[verykiasu2010]

dimsum:

verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"dimsum\"]why can't she renounce it now?

not yet 21 y/o

Pardon my ignorance, so it has to be 21 yrs old for renouncement and cannot be earlier?[/quote]yes, must be above 21, to be capable of adult decision

parents cannot denounce on her behalf

that is why she has dual citizenship now ..... allowed up to 21st birthday

similarly for the PR boys doing NS = they can only denounce after they reached 21

so don't accuse them of 'want the best of both world', 'insincere', etc....by operation of law, they can't prove their patriotism