In a full page feature, on today's Straits Times, are articles about Spring Singapore chairman Philip Yeo. It's almost as if Spring Singapore took out a full page advertisement on the national newspaper to share Philip Yeo's views on the economy, the work force and of course the infamous bond breaking public sector scholarship holders!
He does have some interesting points:
1. He foresees a leakage of engineers into other industries cos engineers are highly prized for their 'skills of logical thinking and analysis' which can be applied to any field. As an engineer, I somewhat agree - my engineering friends cannot see the logic behind investing in a Prada bag. I mean, it's for life! But Philip Yeo did say that the exodus to the finance industry is because Engineers are grossly underpaid compared to their counterparts in a bank. That I totally agree. He sited Germany as an example, where Engineers are valued, and it shows in the products that come out of Germany- see Mercedes Benz.
2. He also confessed to be a 'closet socialist', rather giving A*Star scholarships to a poor student vs a rich student (all else being equal) coz he feels that poor students are hungrier for success and more likely to stay the course. Apparently, poor people have 'the perseverance and tenacity in life' - I'm sure that's how they made it poor in life. He'll be in such deep shit if boy was used in place of poor and girl was used in place of rich.
3. Then there is the issue of some A*Star scholar Philip Yeo shamed publicly by labeling as a 'bond breaker' when he broke his scholarship bond. Yes, the scholar's attitude was bad. His e-mailed reason for breaking the bond was 'I see my role in life to serve the world and not Singapore alone'. I empathise Philip Yeo's anger. If my guys said that to me, I'll be so pissed at his ungratefulness, rudeness and arrogance! But sometimes, a young 18 year old does not know what he wants in life at 18. Plus, in today's culture and generation, where Me comes first, his scholar's statements are - well - a reflection of the society that brought him up. This one, I sit one the fence. Is my lack of opinion a sign of weakness?
This full page feature, at one glance, seems to be a self promotion, self justifying attempt by a chairman of a statutory board. (I seriously thought it was a paid advertisement on the newspapers) But it's an interesting commentary of the workforce in Singapore. One that is increasingly relevant to me.
2 comments:
I have to comment on this phillip yeo issue.
bond breaking itself is seen as some as unethical, however i question the link of scholarships to recruitment. This defeats the altruistic ideals of a scholarship itself.
the grouse with most scholars is the good prospects they have as compared to what they are offered by their "parent organisation". the basis of this is the signing of contract at 18, before the young person understands his/her worth as well as the implications of a 6 yr bond.
if recruitment is the aim, why not take 400k and offer any 1st class honors that you want and make him sign a 6 yr bond base on that. it is a clear agreement between knowledgable adults.
if altruism is the aim, offer scholarships to the deserving without any bonds. you might even generate enough good will for unwritten "bonds".
"Apparently, poor people have 'the perseverance and tenacity in life' - I'm sure that's how they made it poor in life."
That's a very condescending and tasteless remark. One day, if you are poor yourself, how would you like someone to say that it's because you lack perserverance and tenacity?!?!
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