Over 100 on Home Team get scholarships, sponsorships

74 officers will pursue undergraduate studies, while 37 will take on postgraduate studies

- Andrew Wong

More than 100 officers were rewarded with scholarships and sponsorships by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for their outstanding service and contributions to the Home Team on July 24.

Among the recipients, 74 officers will pursue their undergraduate studies, while 37 will take on their postgraduate studies.

Nine officers who are already on full-time degree studies received book prizes for outstanding academic achievements. This is awarded to the top MHA students pursuing a degree in public safety and security at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in each cohort, and those with the best dissertation papers.

Five officers were also given the MHA study award, which provides up to 80 per cent reimbursement of compulsory course fees.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling said MHA will continue to invest in the professional and personal growth of its officers.

“MHA’s workforce is an invaluable asset that determines the success of the Home Team. That is why we place great emphasis on and devote an inordinate amount of resources towards our officers’ development,” said Ms Sun.

Among the scholarship recipients was Mrs Liang Jiexin, senior assistant director of the joint operations group at MHA’s headquarters. She will pursue a Master of Science in Asian studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Mrs Liang, 36, started off in MHA as a media relations officer in 2011, and found herself in the trenches in 2013 when the ministry and its Home Team agencies had to respond to the Little India Riots.