Undergraduate Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Courses

39 Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Prime Minister (a) for each of the years from 2007 to 2012, how many undergraduate scholarships were offered by PSC, DSTA and A*STAR for local students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses overseas; and (b) how many of these scholars ended up breaking their bonds.

Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): From 2007 to 2012, the Public Service Commission (PSC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) awarded a total of 511 overseas undergraduate scholarships for STEM courses or an average of 85 per year.

Of these 511 overseas undergraduate STEM scholarship recipients, the majority, or 487, are still studying or working in the various agencies. The remaining 24 left the service before completing their bonds.

Other public sector agencies, such as the PUB, EDB and LTA also offer undergraduate scholarships for STEM courses every year. From 2007 to 2012, approximately 200 scholarships a year were awarded to students to read STEM courses both locally and overseas. This number has been rising since 2013.