Breakdown of Scholarship Recipients by Country of Study over Past Decade and Minimum Annual Targets for Non-English-speaking Countries
Ministry of FinanceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the annual breakdown of government scholarship recipients by country of study and whether targets exist for non-English-speaking regions. Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan requested these statistics, with Minister Chan Chun Sing reporting that for 2023-2025, an annual average of 49% of recipients studied locally, 30% in the United Kingdom, 15% in the United States, and 6% elsewhere. He clarified that no fixed annual targets are set by country as awards depend on candidate aptitude and interest, though the policy focuses on maintaining a diversified portfolio over the long term. This approach ensures that recipients bring back varied perspectives and connections from their studies to benefit the public service.
Transcript
88 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance regarding the various scholarship schemes offered by Government agencies over the past decade (a) what is the annual breakdown by country of study for scholarship recipients; and (b) whether there are minimum annual targets for scholars to study in non-English speaking countries and/or regions.
Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): The breakdown by country of study for the Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship recipients in the last decade since 2016 is in the following table:
Taking into account all Government scholarships (including PSC) over the last three years (i.e. 2023-2025), on an annual average basis, 49% of the recipients studied at our local Autonomous Universities, 30% in the United Kingdom, 15% in the United States of America and 6% in other countries.
PSC does not set annual targets for scholarship awards by country, as the numbers are dynamic and depend on the assessment of the scholarship recipients' aptitude, the courses offered by various countries and scholarship recipients' areas of interest and course of studies. Scholarship recipients studying locally are also encouraged to participate in overseas exchanges and internships/work attachments and to pursue their postgraduate studies in a different country. Overall, we aim for a diversified portfolio over the mid- to long term, with our scholarship recipients bringing back a diversity of perspectives and connections from the various countries they go to.