Speech by Minister for Transport And Minister-In-Charge of Trade Relations, Mr S Iswaran at the MOT Family Scholarship Award Ceremony

Our Beacon Scholarship Recipients

Parents and Family Members

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.     Good evening and thank you for joining us virtually at this scholarship award ceremony.   This is the 12th year that the MOT Family is awarding the Beacon Scholarship to attract talented young Singaporeans to embark on an exciting career in the transport sector.  My heartiest congratulations to our 37 undergraduate and 20 postgraduate scholars, and your families. 

Challenges and Developments in the Transport Sector 

2.     COVID-19 and Climate Change are two of the biggest challenges of our times.   Both have profound implications for our economy and our way of life – now and well into the future.   The transport sector has not been spared and is particularly affected.     

COVID-19: Impact and Opportunity

3.     COVID-19 has hit our aviation sector the hardest.  When it struck, passenger volume at Changi fell to 0.5% of pre-COVID-19 levels.  Bus and train ridership also fell by 34.5%, with many Singaporeans working from home.  Fortunately, our maritime sector has stayed resilient with container throughput falling only by 1% from 2019; keeping Singapore as the world’s busiest container transhipment and top bunkering hub. 

4.     Despite the challenges, COVID-19 also presents an opportunity for our transport sector to innovate and emerge stronger.  

a.     Through rigorous health protocols and careful re-opening of our borders to countries which have successfully managed COVID-19, we are paving the way towards safe air travel for all.

b.     With a greater push for digitalisation and innovative solutions, such as remote and contactless harbour operations, we have established a safe maritime hub that has facilitated more than 152,000 crew changes for seafarers.  It has helped to alleviate a global humanitarian crisis, while keeping our supply lines open and enabling Singaporeans’ continuous access to essential goods.

c.     We have also endeavoured to keep our public transport safe too.  For example, we conducted airflow studies and ensured that the air on the MRT train is replenished every six minutes.  Our commuters have also been reminded constantly to keep their masks on and refrain from talking while on public transport.  

Climate Change 

5.     Sustainable development and decarbonisation are national imperatives under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, in which the transport sector has a significant role.

a.     To have sustainable land transport, we are promoting cleaner and greener vehicles, developing green transport infrastructure and making Walk-Cycle-Ride the preferred modes of transport in Singapore. 

b.     As a major international aviation and maritime hub, we have been actively contributing to climate action at the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Maritime Organization to decarbonise the aviation and maritime sectors respectively.  However, more can be done.  For instance, MPA will launch the Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint 2050 by the end of this year to chart out strategies to achieve a sustainable maritime Singapore. 

A Meaningful Career to Look Forward to 

6.     These developments translate to ample interesting and meaningful opportunities and careers for our officers.  And we want and need to augment our team’s capabilities with innovative people who dare to dream and make them a reality.  

7.     It is therefore vital for the MOT Family to attract and nurture a pool of talented officers who are dedicated to our mission, with commuters and transport workers at the heart of our transport systems and policies. 

a.     Hence, I am happy that Jeremy Silva, who will be pursuing an Aerospace Engineering degree with a second major in Business at NTU, has decided to be part of CAAS because he wants to help restore our aviation hub.

b.     We also have Tan Qin Xiang, a postgraduate scholar who has just joined MPA, and about to pursue the MSc Civil Engineering (with Fluids) at University College London. He facilitated the crew change of seafarers when he interned with MPA last year and is currently working on the design and contract management of MPA’s building and reclamation projects. 

8.     It is also heartening to see many of our earlier scholars returning to contribute to Singapore’s transport sector. Tan Ning Xuan is our 2018 Beacon Scholar and an Engineer at LTA now. He explored Artificial Intelligence and worked on several drone projects to smarten LTA’s rail infrastructure maintenance. He has found his work at LTA diverse, challenging and meaningful.  

9.     Beacon Scholarships are also awarded to outstanding in-service officers in support of their continuing education. Gwee Xin Lin from MOT is pursuing the Nanyang Fellows Master in Business Administration at NTU. At the onset of COVID-19, Xin Lin helped to re-prioritise airport development plans, implement financial relief for affected companies, and prepare for travel recovery. She believes that her postgraduate studies will better equip her to serve when she returns. 

10.    From this year, we have included the SGRail Scholars in the Scholarship Ceremony. Launched in November 2019, their scholarships are co-funded by the Government and the rail operators as part of the Rail Manpower Development Package. These scholars can also look forward to a meaningful and fulfilling career with LTA as we continue to strengthen the reliability and resilience of Singapore’s rail network. 

Conclusion

11.    In closing, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the parents, principals and teachers for playing a vital role in nurturing and guiding our scholars.  You have played a significant role in their success.  

12.    To our scholars, welcome to the MOT Family!  Do remember that receiving the Beacon Scholarship is both a privilege and a responsibility.  When you return to serve, you can be an exemplar and role model by staying grounded and humble, carrying out your responsibilities professionally, and nurturing others around you. 

13.    I wish you all the best in your studies, and in your future careers with the MOT Family. 

14.    Thank you.