BACK
TO TOP
16 Jul 2024
Our scholars dove into an exhilarating Orientation Programme from 5 to 16 July 2024, marking the start of their journey as DSTA Scholars!
Through this programme, our scholars were able to gain useful life skill through workshops, bond with fellow scholars through team bonding activities and immerse themselves in the culture of DSTA, DSO and CSIT through insightful sharing sessions and lively dialogues. The DSTA Scholarship Office started the ball rolling by taking the scholars through the exciting key programmes that they could look forward to, such as the Global Internship Programme and Overseas Exchange Programmes.
The DSTA Scholarship Office sharing on opportunities that the scholars can
look
forward to under the DSTA Scholarship.
Our senior scholars also joined us and shared their experiences studying at both local and overseas universities. They went beyond academic advice, offering insights into daily campus life and providing valuable tips on navigating university life.
Senior scholar, Aaron Tan, who is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shared: “Have an idea of what you want out of university, but don’t stress over it. Don’t be too caught up with your studies. Instead, join more clubs, travel around and do more fun classes. It is going to be your last 4 years of fun before working life.”
Ong Yu Xi, who will be studying Electrical Engineering at UCLA, has benefitted greatly from the sharing session. She said: “The orientation was very helpful because I got to meet my senior, who is going to the same school as me. He informed me about the things I should be looking out for, and it makes me feel more assured that someone has gone through this before, and I can always look out to him for advice.”
Senior scholars Aaron Tan (left) from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Keith Tang from National University of Singapore (NUS) sharing about their university experience with our new scholars.
Our scholars also got the opportunity to meet with DSTA’s Management Committee over a lunch session, where they gained first-hand knowledge about the organisation’s operations and what to expect in the working world.
DSTA Management Committee interacting with our scholars over lunch.
Through a dialogue with Chief Executive (CE) Ng Chad-Son, our scholars gained valuable insights on what we do in DSTA. The dialogue also gave them a platform to engage in a Q&A session, where they posed burning questions they had about the defence tech industry.
CE Ng Chad-Son (left) speaking to our scholars and our scholar, Brendan Ling (right) engaging in a Q&A session.
A visit would not be completed without a tour! Our scholars had the chance to visit the interactive project showcases set up by our engineers and technologists. They were given a sneak peek into our wide range of innovative projects, from cybersecurity to software development and beyond.
Our scholars visiting the exhibits and learning more about various defence tech projects.
Apart from the tour of DSTA, our scholars also had an exclusive visit to the Littoral Mission Vessel Simulation Centre (LMV SIMCEN) during the DSTA Scholars Orientation Programme to further understand the work we do in DSTA. At LMV SIMCEN, they learned how the immersive 360-degree simulator provides realistic training scenarios for RSN crew, allowing them to train on shore without the need to sail.
The orientation fun extended beyond just dialogues and visits! Our scholars engaged in hands-on activities and picked up some life skills, such as how personality can affect how one communicates, etiquette and social cues, and a culinary workshop where they whipped up three delicious dishes.
Our scholars at a culinary workshop (top) and personality and communication style workshop (bottom).
To foster stronger bonds and form new friendships, the scholars participated in a variety of team-building activities, such as dragon boating and high elements course. Despite the fatigue that followed, they greatly valued the team spirit and mutual support they received during these activities.
Brendan Ling, who will be studying Computer Science at University of Manchester said: “I really enjoyed and appreciated how teamwork and camaraderie has been fostered among the team. We really come together to achieve a common goal, for example, to row the boat. Or for example, providing encouragement and support for our teammates, who were doing the high elements course whenever they face difficulties or when they were on the verge of giving up. I think that’s what really pushed everyone forward to complete the course.”
Our scholars pushing their limits with a dragon boating session and high elements activity.
Besides physical challenges, our scholars were also put through mental challenges. They were tasked to build obstacle courses for drones, and also other fun brain teasers, such as giant pick-up sticks.
Nicholas Tan, who will be studying Mechanical Engineering at University of Manchester said: “My favourite activity has got to be the drone obstacle course building session. I think it’s a very uniquely technology-related challenge, and it got me to interact with many of my fellow scholars. I got to see how all of them work, and how we can work together as a cohesive unit.”
Our scholars engaging in teambuilding activities.
On what motivated him to choose the DSTA Scholarship, Nicholas shared: “I’ve actually been interested in defence science since secondary school, so this scholarship has been a good opportunity for me to get started.”
Interested to pursue your passion in science and technology? Apply for the DSTA Scholarship here.