SINGAPORE
Singapore’s Public Service Commission (PSC) is looking at new tools it could use to ensure its scholarships are awarded to a more diverse range of students.
Chair of the PSC, Lee Tzu Yang (pictured) said his organisation needed to cast a wider net to catch Singaporeans from all backgrounds.
“As an example, many organisations today use game-based assessments in seeking attributes such as perseverance, learning orientation and risk-avoidance,” Mr Lee said.
“These new tools could supplement PSC’s psychometric tests and interviews and open up opportunities for even more candidates to come forward and be considered.”
He said while intellect could never be discounted as a desired attribute, other attributes, such as self-initiated community service and leading change in new, different and difficult directions, should also be considered.
Mr Lee, who replaced Eddie Teo as PSC Chair on 1 August, said diversity was a source of strength for the Public Service and would make it more resilient.
“We seek a wide variety of life experience for our Public Service and will work with schools to engage young people on their fit and the possibilities of a Public Service career,” he said.
“The PSC needs Singaporeans from all backgrounds to step forward to serve at a time when the issues facing the country are becoming more complex.”
Mr Lee said his plan involved encouraging students to consider a wider variety of courses and different countries for their studies.
“For instance, students could pursue an undergraduate degree in France, Germany or Japan, postgraduate studies in China, or take a gap year at a start-up in Indonesia,” Mr Lee said.
Singapore, 2 November 2018
