PUBLISHED ONAugust 18, 2026 11:35 AMUPDATEDAugust 18, 2026 3:29 PMBYKhoo Yi-HangThe Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has awarded scholarships to 40 individuals in an award ceremony held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Tuesday (Aug 18).
MHA awarded scholarships across five different categories, including: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) Scholarship, the Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship (Engineering) - Defence and Security, the MHA Uniformed Scholarship, the MHA Civilian Scholarship as well as the HTX Scholarship.
"These scholarships are awarded to outstanding individuals who embody the Home Team's values of honour and unity and are passionate about our mission to keep Singapore safe and secure," MHA said on Tuesday.
Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs K Shanmugam was the guest of honour at the event.
Addressing the scholarship recipients in his speech, SM Shanmugam referred to the latest Home Team public perception survey and said: "About 93 per cent (of Singaporeans) trust our officers to carry out their duties professionally, fairly, and with integrity.
"You are joining an organisation that has a tremendous reservoir of goodwill with trust that is not easy to earn."
This trust has to be earned regularly, he stressed, adding that new joiners must maintain it.
Charlene Tan and Raynen Ngoh stood out from the rest, receiving the prestigious SPF scholarship.
According to MHA, only individuals with outstanding leadership qualities, impeccable integrity, strong interest in policing work to keep Singapore safe are able to receive this award.
After completing their studies, both Tan and Ngoh will undergo training at the Police Training Command and take on operational command appointments in police divisions as they prepare to become future leaders of the Singapore Police Force.
At present, Tan is a first-year forensic science student at Pennsylvania State University.
Meanwhile, Ngoh will be pursuing international social and public policy with politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Aside from Tan and Ngoh, 38 others also received their scholarships at the ceremony on Tuesday evening.
Of the 40 scholarship recipients, 22 intend to pursue their studies in Singapore.
The remaining 18 will further their education in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and China.
[[nid:742645]]
Singapore must continue to attract and develop the best minds, SM Shanmugam said, adding that these scholarship recipients must not only demonstrate academic excellence, but also leadership.
Above all else, they must have a deep commitment to public service, he said.
"High standards will be set for you because to maintain public trust, we have to set high standards for ourselves."
He added: "There will be challenges, but we will keep Singapore safe and secure with strong governance, responsible use of technology, and continued investment in the right people.
"So, to the families, the teachers, and the mentors here today, thank you for nurturing these very promising young people, and to the scholarship recipients, the future is yours to shape."
[[nid:742683]]
No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
