Strengthening Awareness on National Security Threats and Attracting Talent through ISD Junior College and Polytechnic Scholarship
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns assessing the effectiveness of the Internal Security Department (ISD) Junior College and Polytechnic Scholarship in raising national security awareness and career interest among youths, and whether similar programmes will be encouraged across public agencies, raised by Mr Lee Hong Chuang. In response, Minister K Shanmugam explained that the new scholarship deepens pre-tertiary students' understanding of internal security threats and introduces career opportunities within the ISD. Launched in August 2025, the inaugural award drew 231 applications, with 10 selected students receiving a $2,500 cash prize and attending a two-day ISD immersion programme. Participants affirmed that the immersion deepened their awareness of security threats and increased their interest in pursuing a fulfilling ISD career. He added that this scholarship complements broader Home Team early-engagement efforts, such as internships, book prizes, and learning journeys, with further initiatives to be considered based on talent needs.
Transcript
74 Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how will the Ministry assess whether the Internal Security Department (ISD) Junior College and Polytechnic Scholarship strengthens youths' awareness of national security threats and interest in national security related careers; and (b) whether similar scholarships or exposure programmes by other public agencies will be encouraged, where appropriate, to build early awareness and attract talent.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Internal Security Department (ISD) Junior College (JC) and Polytechnic Scholarship is part of ISD's ongoing initiatives to strengthen public awareness of Singapore’s internal security threats.
These initiatives include partnering agencies through the SGSecure movement, community partners, such as the Religious Rehabilitation Group, and the Ministry of Education, to increase greater awareness among the general public and students, about the threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation.
The JC and Polytechnic Scholarship is a new initiative to deepen awareness amongst our youths of our internal security threats and introduce pre-tertiary students to career opportunities with ISD. Launched in August 2025, the initiative attracted 231 applications. Ten students from various JCs and polytechnics were selected for the inaugural award in early 2026. In addition to a $2,500 cash prize, the recipients participated in a two-day immersion programme at ISD, where they gained deeper insights into ISD's work, including opportunities to engage with ISD officers.
Participants shared that the Immersion Programme had deepened their understanding of ISD's work and internal security threats facing Singapore. They also expressed greater interest in a career with ISD, describing its work as deeply fulfilling and meaningful, contributing to the protection of Singapore's national security.
The ISD JC and Polytechnic Scholarship complements similar efforts across the Home Team Departments to engage students early and raise awareness of the Ministry of Home Affairs' work and career opportunities, through a range of initiatives, including book prizes, internships, learning journeys, work attachments and job-shadowing opportunities for pre-tertiary and tertiary students. We will continue to consider other opportunities for early engagement, taking into account the nature of each Department's work and talent needs.