Three scholarship recipients share what inspired them to serve and their hopes for the future.
By: Teh Ru Xin
It’s a lively Wednesday afternoon as I gather three recipients of this year’s Singapore Police Force (SPF) Scholarship and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Scholarships for a quick roundtable discussion before the award ceremony. Beaming with pride, each of these scholarship recipients has a unique story of resilience and drive to make a difference. Their journey with the SPF has just begun – and it’s evident that they’re excited about the prospect of serving the nation.
Meet Alex Teng, a recipient of the Singapore Police Force Scholarship, as well as Leandre Huang and Thaddeus Wee, recipients of the MHA Uniformed Scholarship (Singapore Government Scholarship) with the Singapore Police Force.
Congratulations on receiving the scholarship! To start off, where will you be pursuing your studies and what will you be studying?
Alex Teng: I’ll be pursuing International Relations and Management at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
Leandre Huang: I’ll be reading English at the University of Cambridge.
Thaddeus Wee: I’ll be studying Business Artificial Intelligence Systems at the National University of Singapore.
What inspired you to choose this scholarship?
Alex: The SPF’s mission of ensuring the safety and security of Singapore resonated strongly with me, and I believe that joining the Force will allow me to make a tangible impact on the community. I remember a particular incident last year when I witnessed a group of Police officers helping someone in need – seeing how they were knowledgeable and kind really inspired me to become a Police officer and do the same for others as well.
Leandre: I felt that choosing a scholarship was equivalent to deciding on the first steps of my professional career. I wanted to serve in an organisation that would allow me to contribute to the community. Having graduated from the School of the Arts, I wanted to challenge myself to hone new skillsets in new areas, and the SPF felt like the perfect platform to do this.
Thaddeus: My National Service (NS) experience sparked a deep interest in a career with the SPF – it gave me exposure to the diverse work in the SPF and inspired me to serve. I was fortunate to work alongside Ground Response Force officers and even led as a Police Tactical Trooper in the Special Operations Command (SOC) during my time in NS. To me, this scholarship is not just a stepping stone, but a dedication to a lifelong career of public service.
What does this scholarship mean to you?
Alex: In one word: opportunity. The opportunity to study a subject I’m passionate about; the opportunity to work with the Force; and, most importantly, the opportunity to serve and make a positive impact on the community.
Leandre: This scholarship represents the trust the Force has in my capability to serve as an officer. It’s a responsibility I’m extremely grateful to uphold – it serves as a strong motivator for me to pursue excellence in my studies as well.
Thaddeus: This scholarship allows me to apply my strengths to tackle real-world challenges. It signifies a commitment to a life of service – one where I wake up each day knowing I’m part of something that truly matters.
What are your aspirations upon joining the Force?
Alex: I aspire to work in investigations. I’m motivated to help victims of crime find closure and to be a pillar of support for people who need help. In the future, I also hope to explore how we can incorporate new technologies to help officers with their work.
Leandre: I want to make an impact on the community by working to keep them safe and always be ready to meet their changing needs. I also believe that the Force needs to adapt to meet evolving security threats and would like to contribute in this area as well.
Thaddeus: I aspire to grow into a role where I can understand both policy and practice. With my degree, I hope to support the SPF in adopting data-driven strategies to detect patterns, anticipate risks and improve operational efficiency.
Finally, what words of wisdom do you have for those who are considering joining the SPF?
Alex: If you’re interested in police work, give it a shot.
Leandre: Dare to try and take a leap into the unknown!
Thaddeus: Sometimes, all it takes is that first step to discover the opportunities a career with the Force can give you.
The Singapore Police Force Scholarship and MHA Scholarships Award Ceremony 2025
The Ministry of Home Affairs Scholarships include the SPF Scholarship as well as other uniformed and civilian scholarships. These scholarships enable recipients to pursue their academic interests while supporting their personal and professional growth. This year, MHA awarded 42 scholarships. Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and all the best for your studies!
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