Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Sole President’s Scholar off to read linguistics at Brown University

Sole President’s Scholar off to read linguistics at Brown University
Ms Alyssa Marie Loo Li Ann was the only one awarded the President's Scholarship yesterday. PHOTO: MICHAEL CHOW

19-year-old President's Scholar is bound for Brown University in the US and is keen to study topics like Singlish as a cultural icon

Jolene Ang
Aug 14, 2020 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

Ms Alyssa Marie Loo Li Ann had President Halimah Yacob all to herself yesterday, when the 19-year-old was the only one to be awarded the President's Scholarship at a virtual ceremony.

Starting this year, only scholarship recipients who are pursuing their studies in the current year will be announced by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

When asked how many others were offered the scholarship this year, PSC declined to provide numbers but said: "There are others... including those who are currently doing their national service."

Those who have decided to proceed with their studies in subsequent years will be included in the relevant years' reports.

President's Scholarships have been awarded since 1966. Four to six were awarded each year for the past 10 years (up to 2019).

Ms Loo, a former Raffles Institution student, attended the virtual ceremony from home with her mother Agnes Phuah, who works as an administrative officer. Her father is a human resource director, while her younger sister is in Secondary 3.

New engineering, design undergrads at NUS to get common curriculum
Singapore

Common curriculum for NUS engineering, design students

Feb 23, 2021

Related Stories

CFO and general manager is also a part-time poly student

Mental health tips now part of secondary school curriculum

A-level results out on Feb 19

BILINGUAL POLICY

Ms Loo, who is headed to Brown University in the United States in January to read linguistics, is interested in exploring topics such as having Singlish as a cultural icon and the effects of a bilingual policy.

Addressing Ms Loo in a speech at the virtual ceremony, President Halimah said: "The start of your journey in public service comes at a critical point in modern history. The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted the global economy and every aspect of our lives."

Integrity, service and excellence form the foundation of trust that Singaporeans have in the Government's ability to execute policies, plans and initiatives, she said, and "strengthening this foundation is especially critical as it is no longer business as usual".

"We have a population that is more discerning, with strong views on what is in their best interests and wants to be more engaged in decisions affecting them.

"They also have a strong sense of fairness and equality and want these values reflected more clearly in whatever we do. In the years to come, there will be new paths to forge and difficult decisions to make.

"This is a challenge for this generation of Singaporeans - a trial of our fortitude and a test of our resilience."

With Covid-19 having changed the economic environment around Singapore, some time-tested ideas and strategies will have to be re-examined, and the country will need "civil servants who can not only think critically but who also have unorthodox ideas or unique solutions in a situation where the path to growth is not so clear", she said.

Urging Ms Loo to broaden her horizons, expand her networks and develop fresh perspectives, Madam Halimah said: "I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, open yourself to new experiences and seize every opportunity to develop the skills and expertise Singapore will need for the future."

Ms Loo said being the only recipient at this year's President's Scholarship ceremony is "a big honour... I feel very lucky to have the chance to speak to President Halimah personally."

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

Education

Jolene Ang

Read articles by Jolene Ang
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Father on late son’s fiancee: She was like a daughter to me
Singapore

Father on late son's fiancee: She was like a daughter to me

Feb 16, 2021
First of five Tanjong Pagar accident victims cremated
Singapore

First of five Tanjong Pagar accident victims cremated

Feb 18, 2021
Tanjong Pagar crash victims were charitable people: Friend
Singapore

'My friends were charitable people'

Feb 17, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E