Greetings
1 Good morning to our scholarship recipients, parents and family members, distinguished guests, and colleagues from the MSF Family. I am delighted to be here today to celebrate this momentous occasion with all of you - the start of your career in the social service sector in creating positive change in the lives of others.
2 Looking around the room today, I see the same spark of enthusiasm and determination that I have witnessed in many of our social service professionals. Many started their journeys just like you, and have since touched countless lives through their careers.
Introduction to MSF Family
3 At MSF, we are committed to nurturing and building lives together, guided by three fundamental principles: family-centricity, strengths-based approach to uplift the family; and proactive, upstream engagement and intervention.
4 We often say that MSF develops the "heartware" for Singapore. Through our policies, programmes and services, together with our partner social service professionals and agencies, we work towards nurturing resilient individuals, strong families, and ultimately, a caring society. Our work spans from empowering children and families in need to supporting persons with disabilities, and from ensuring every child gets a good start in life to rehabilitating youth offenders.
5 In carrying out this mission, we face increasingly complex social challenges that require innovative solutions. Our population is ageing rapidly, family structures are evolving, and mental health needs are growing. The social service sector has embraced these challenges with creativity and resilience. We are seeing more integrated service delivery, stronger partnerships across different sectors, and innovative uses of technology to enhance our delivery, reach and effectiveness.
6 As a sector developer, National Council of Social Service, or NCSS, drives sector-wide transformation. NCSS addresses service gaps and emerging needs in our community, strengthens the capabilities of our social service agencies and forges impactful partnerships with corporates and community groups. At the recent Social Service Summit, we explored how emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence can revolutionise social services while staying true to our mission of uplifting individuals and families. NCSS is guiding the thoughtful integration of AI in ways that optimise resources. For example, using AI-powered tools to transcribe and summarise conversations in multiple languages for case management. Our professionals are embracing digital tools while keeping human connection at the heart of their work. For our talents entering the sector, this presents an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation – showing how the fusion of talents and technology can make a real difference in our society.
Scholar’s role in MSF/NCSS
7 To our scholars here today: You are embarking on an exciting and meaningful journey. Each of you has chosen a path that will allow you to contribute meaningfully to our community. For those joining MSF, you will have the opportunity to rotate among policy, operation-policy, and operational roles, delivering initiatives that create a more inclusive and resilient society. For our Social Service and Singapore-Industry Scholars, you will be working in our Social Service Agencies upon graduation. This kickstarts your social service journey that allows you to gain a good understanding of the issues faced by families on the ground. You will receive support to enhance your professional skills and leadership capabilities, enabling you to make a significant impact to individuals and families in need.
8 Your work ahead will give you opportunities to support different groups in our community in various areas such as Disabilities and Special Needs, Children and Youth, Families, Mental Health, and Seniors. Each of these areas presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth. An example would be Tarif, our emcee, who is involved in policy review work for the Children and Adult Disability Home programmes. To identify areas for improvement in our disability services, Tarif gathered valuable feedback from service providers and analysed data on Social Service Agencies’ finances and manpower. This careful study and ground-up engagement eventually led to enhanced funding for disability social residential homes, which was announced in March earlier this year. This is just one instance where hours of your work can create meaningful impact. These experiences will shape not only the lives you touch but also your own understanding of our society.
9 Beyond technical skills, you will develop critical competencies that are invaluable in any setting – from stakeholder engagement to project management, from crisis intervention to community mobilisation. One of our Social Service scholars, Naadhirah, shared that she was drawn to the strong sense of community in this sector. As a paediatric Speech and Language Therapist at AWWA School @ Napiri, she supports students with multiple disabilities or autism in developing their speech, language, and feeding skills. Beyond supporting her students, her role has enabled her to build awareness and support for inclusivity for people with special needs. Similarly, our MSF scholar Arthur, shared his experience participating in inter-agency workgroups and partnering with community organisations in co-creating solutions. Arthur is currently in the Family and Early Childhood division in MSF, working on policies to support families undergoing divorce. He is able to use the stakeholder engagement skills he honed while sharpening his analytical thinking skills in this new role. As you can see, the learning opportunities are rich and varied, limited only by your own creativity and initiative.
10 As we look to the future, we are not just building a stronger social service sector – we are shaping a more compassionate society for our future generations. Our sector has grown tremendously over the years. This growth opens up exciting pathways for our professional development and leadership.
11 While we live in a world of rapid change and technological improvements, the heart of social service remains timeless – it is about understanding and helping people. As you embark on your university journey and navigate new environments, I encourage you to continuously reflect on your purpose and ask yourself: "How can I make a meaningful difference in the lives of others?" Let this guide you as you chart your path forward.
Year of Celebrating Social Service Professionals
12 This is also a special year for us, because we have designated 2025 as the Year of Celebrating Social Service Professionals. This recognises the dedication and impact of the thousands of professionals who form the backbone of our social service sector.
13 Their unwavering commitment, especially through crises like the recent COVID-19, has demonstrated the resilience and heart of our social service sector. They are the ones who ensure that help reaches the last mile, that no voices go unheard, and that no one in our society is left behind.
14 It is particularly meaningful that we are gathered here today for this scholarship ceremony. Even as we celebrate our experienced professionals who have dedicated years to this noble cause, we are welcoming bright new talents like yourselves who will help carry this legacy forward. As scholars, you represent the future of the social service, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our shared mission of building a more caring and inclusive society for all.
Advice for scholars
15 To all our scholars, I want to share three key pieces of advice that I believe will serve you well in your journey ahead – I will call it the BAR approach, B - A - R: First, Be Bold. Don't let the fear of failure hold you back. When you encounter challenges, and you will, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Your fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are valuable to the sector, so don't hesitate to embrace and share them.
16 Second, be Advocates for the sector. Your role extends beyond your daily work. You'll be voices for those who need support, champions for important social causes, and inspirations for others to join this meaningful field. Every person you help and every family you support contributes to building a more caring Singapore.
17 Finally, R – Build Relationships. Along the way, you will engage with sector leaders and seasoned professionals who will guide you in developing your capabilities and empower you to make a significant impact in the sector. The connections you forge – with the people you serve, your colleagues, and partners across the sector – will be one of the most rewarding aspects of your journey. These relationships will not only support you through challenges but also strengthen your ability to create positive change in our community.
Closing
18 Ladies and gentlemen, scholars, thank you for choosing to join our social service tribe and for committing to empowering the lives of those in need. We look forward to celebrating your successes and witnessing the positive change you will bring to our community.
19 Congratulations once again, and I wish you all the best in your studies and journey ahead. Thank you.