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28 Mar 2026
What does it take to engineer the edge for Singapore’s defence?
At DSTA’s Scholarship Tea Session on 28 March, students got a closer look – not just at the DSTA scholarship, but at the impact of defence technology in safeguarding Singapore.
Held at DSTA, the session brought together 295 students, engineers, research scientists and leaders from across the Defence Technology Community (DTC), offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from those shaping the future of defence.
Students connected with peers and staff and heard from senior leaders across DSTA, DSO National Laboratories (DSO) and the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT). Through the sharing, students were introduced to the broader defence technology ecosystem and how each organisation contributes, along with the opportunities available, including scholarships and career pathways within the DTC.
The session also gave students a sense of the kinds of problems being tackled and the thinking behind them. It helped them see how their own interests, whether in engineering, science or tech, could be pursued in meaningful ways within the DTC.
DSTA Chief Executive Ng Chad-Son shared about the diverse career pathways within the Defence Technology Community.
The conversation continued in a Question & Answer segment, where students engaged directly with the speakers. Questions ranged from scholarship experiences to what it is like working on defence technology projects, with speakers sharing honest insights into both the challenges and rewards of the work.
Question & Answer segment with DSO CEO Cheong Chee Hoo (left), DSTA CE Ng Chad-Son (centre) and CSIT CE Darren Teo.
Students then explored project showcases by DSTA, DSO and CSIT, where they got a closer look at technologies ranging from autonomous systems to digital and data-driven solutions. Speaking with engineers and technologists, students gained a better understanding of how these systems are developed, tested and used in real-world settings.
Students heard first-hand from engineers and defence technologists about what they do and the exciting projects they work on.
The pace shifted during the coffee chat sessions, where students spoke with DSTA scholars in smaller groups. These conversations were more candid, with scholars sharing about their journeys, from university life to working on real-world projects. Students asked questions about internships, career growth and day-to-day work, gaining perspectives on what the path ahead could look like.
DSTA scholars shared their experiences and insights during the coffee chat sessions.
Students also visited the DSTA Experience Centre, where they saw how a wide range of engineering and digital capabilities come together to support real-world operations. The exhibits showcased DSTA’s work across domains, including emerging areas such as robotics, AI and autonomy, giving students a better sense of how these technologies are applied to deliver practical, effective solutions.
Students visited the DSTA Experience Centre to learn more about DSTA’s work across domains, including emerging technologies such as AI, robotics and autonomy.
By the end of the day, students left with not just a better understanding of the scholarship, but a clearer sense of how they could be part of shaping the future of defence technology.
Interested in applying for the DSTA Scholarship? Learn more about the DSTA Scholarship here.