Breakdown of Government-funded PhD Scholars in Science Disciplines by Citizenship over Past Five Years and Bond Completion Rates

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) how many government-funded PhD scholarships in science disciplines were awarded to (i) Singapore Citizens (ii) Permanent Residents and (iii) international students, respectively, over the past five years; (b) what is the average scholarship value per student by group; (c) what is the proportion in each group that failed to complete their bond obligations; and (d) what recovery mechanisms are triggered in default cases.

Over the past decade, an average of about 6,000 PhD students have been enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses in the autonomous universities (AUs) annually. The proportion of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents has been stable at around one-third of the PhD student population.

About 90% of the STEM PhD students in the AUs are Government-funded through tuition fee subsidies and stipends. Singapore Citizens receive the highest level of funding to reflect the privileges of citizenship. For example, Singapore Citizens receive $4,300 per month in stipends, compared to $3,900 for Permanent Residents and $3,500 for international students.

The PhD students carry out teaching and research supervision duties at the AUs as a service obligation. These students serve out their service obligation during their PhD candidature.