A President's Scholar is a recipient of the academic scholarship awarded by the
Government of Singapore
The government of Singapore is defined by the Constitution of Singapore, Constitution of the Republic of Singapore to consist of the President of Singapore, President and the Executive. Executive authority of Singapore is vested in the Presi ...
annually, to pursue undergraduate education at a university, usually abroad. The scholarship is considered to be the most prestigious public undergraduate scholarship in Singapore awarded to students of
Singaporean nationality.
All recipients have legal obligation to serve a bond—in the form of a public service career for a certain period of time, usually ranging from 4 to 6 years, after completing his or her studies in the university.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a selection committee chaired by the Chairman of the
Public Service Commission Public Service Commission may refer to:
* Public utilities commission
** Alabama Public Service Commission
** Public Service Commission (Indiana)
** Public Service Commission of Utah
** Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
** Public Utilities Com ...
(PSC) of Singapore.
The President's Scholarship by itself does not award any money or lead to any particular career in public service. As such, it is generally paired with another scholarship, which could be either of the following:
*
The SAF Scholarship
* The
SPF Scholarship
* The
PSC Scholarship
History
The President's Scholarship has its roots in the
Queen's Scholarship, which was founded in 1885. The Queen's Scholarship was initiated by
Cecil Clementi Smith
Sir Cecil Clementi Smith (23 December 1840 – 6 February 1916),. was a British colonial administrator of the Government, administrator.
Background
The son of an Essex rector, John Smith, and his wife Cecilia Susanna Clementi (daughter of Muz ...
, Governor of the
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements () were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia. Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under control of the ...
. It was awarded to the best performing student of the year by a special selection board.
The Queen's Scholarship was abolished in 1959 and replaced by the Singapore State Scholarship when Singapore gained self-governance.
In August 1964, the
Yang di-Pertuan Negara
Yang di-Pertuan Negara ( English: (he) who is Lord of the State) is a title for the head of state in certain Malay-speaking countries, and has been used as an official title at various times in Brunei and Singapore.
Sabah
The head of state of Sa ...
Scholarship was inaugurated to replace the State Scholarship.
In 1966, after Singapore achieved independence, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara Scholarship was renamed the President's Scholarship.
Recipients
Many recipients of the President's Scholarship went on to serve in top positions in the civil service.
According to statistics collected by the newspaper ''
The Straits Times
''The Straits Times'' (also known informally by its abbreviation ''ST'') is a Singaporean daily English-language newspaper owned by the SPH Media Trust. Established on 15 July 1845, it is the most-widely circulated newspaper in the country and ...
'', the schools in Singapore having the highest number of President's Scholars among their alumni are as follows:
References
External links
Scholarship Centre of Singapore's Public Service Commission
{{Education in Singapore
Education in Singapore
Scholarships
1964 establishments in Singapore