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01 Aug 2024
The Defence Scholarship Awards Ceremony on 1 August brought together 105 promising young talents and their families to celebrate their achievements and future potential. The DSTA Scholarship was one of the several defence scholarships awarded, with 45 recipients.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence shed light on the critical role the defence scholarships play in strengthening national security, allowing students to broaden their horizons and gain fresh perspectives to make a difference in Singapore’s defence.
Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen shared the importance of investing in the next generation so that
Singapore’s future will continue to be bright and secure.
Introduced in 2000, the DSTA Scholarship offers students the opportunity to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related courses at renowned universities locally and internationally. After graduation, they can pursue various career opportunities in the Defence Technology Community, in the domains of engineering, digital transformation and cybersecurity.
Senior Management from the DTC and MINDEF were present to engage our DSTA Scholarship recipients.
One such recipient this year is Chong Jin Qi, whose story is testament to the positive impact of the scholarship. The scholarship would broaden his horizons through overseas studies in the U.S. and a Global Internship Programme.
Elaborating on how his internship stints at DSTA have reinforced his decision, Jin Qi said: “My knowledgeable, experienced mentors and colleagues not only guided me in delivering my projects, but also reinforced my aspiration to be part of the Defence Technology Community and contribute towards a higher purpose. They were very welcoming and forthcoming in sharing their professional experience. I saw myself being surrounded with like-minded people like my mentors and having these tech conversations that I found to be unique to DSTA. The organisation emphasises a lot on competency build up and people development. Choosing the DSTA Scholarship was my way of saying "Yes, I want more!”"
The scholarship not only represents a personal achievement for Jin Qi but also a way to honour his parents’ unwavering support. He shared: “My family is my greatest source of support and my greatest motivation. I also have two younger brothers, and I aspire to be a good role model for them. I’m grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunities, and I’m determined to do the best I can for them!”
Chong Jin Qi with his parents. Jin Qi will be studying Electrical Engineering in the University of
California, Los Angeles in September 2024.
Thinking about pursuing the DSTA Scholarship? Learn more here.