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The President's Challenge Fellowships includes three categories: Civic Action Fellowship, ITE Inspire Fellowship, and Springboard Fellowship. This year, there are 12 recipients, with Ms. Cheok Xueting (left), Mr. Edmund Lek, and Ms. Shirlene Ng each representing one of the three categories

SINGAPORE — Twelve individuals were awarded the inaugural President's Challenge Stars for their outstanding contributions, whether by actively advancing the social service sector despite setbacks, or as distinguished alumni of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). 

The newly established President's Challenge Fellowships announced its first recipients on Sunday (2 November) during the President's Challenge Night. 

Ms. Shirlene Ng, 21, was one of the winners in the Springboard category for overcoming adversity and is the youngest recipient this year. 

Her childhood was marked by conflict, instability, and hunger. Her parents divorced when she was 11, and at 13, she witnessed her mother attempt suicide at home. Growing up in a neglectful environment, she experienced malnutrition and self-harm tendencies during her secondary school years and was subsequently placed in a children's protection service facility, the Morning Star Residential Care Centre. 

At the shelter, she met many girls and experienced friendship and care, gradually emerging from her past trauma and gaining confidence. 

Determined to restart her life and make a difference, she worked up to three part-time jobs simultaneously. She completed her studies at Temasek Polytechnic, earning a diploma in psychology, and through the shelter's alumni network Owena, she began helping other girls who had experienced trauma. 

Shirlene said in an interview that she has applied to several local universities to study psychology, hoping to gain professional knowledge and skills to work in the social service sector and help more children and youth in adversity. She said,

"Financial pressure has been a big challenge for me. I used to juggle work and studies. This program not only helps me with university expenses but also provides one-on-one guidance from mentors." 

The President's Challenge Stars are awarded in three categories: Civic Action Fellowship, Springboard Fellowship, and ITE Inspire Fellowship (Distinguished ITE Alumni). 

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam posted on Facebook on Sunday that Singapore is taking important steps to close gaps and prevent tragedies, and protecting every child requires collective societal effort.

"No child should face darkness alone." 

In a media interview, he said the Fellowship aims to recognize role models in social service, help those who have faced hardships to restart their journey, and empower them to assist others in similar situations, thereby expanding the landscape of social leadership in Singapore. He added,

"This is not just a charitable initiative – it helps everyone, including those with special needs, to realize their full potential." 

Non-profit Trampolene: Helping Neurodiverse Individuals Reach Their Potential 

Ms. Cheok Xueting, 39, who received the Civic Action category President's Challenge Star, said that neurodiverse individuals are often placed in low-skilled jobs, but certain traits of neurodiversity can be leveraged in engineering and manufacturing sectors. 

Cheok is the Operations Director of the non-profit Trampolene, and she launched the GATES (Growing Alternate Talent for the Engineering Sector) project, which provides skill training for students with neurodiverse abilities, ADHD, and other special needs, helping them integrate into society and improve employability. 

ITE Distinguished Alumni Category: Inspiring Role Models 

This category aims to set examples for youth and society. Mr. Edmund Lek, 58, Senior Vice-President of operations at offshore and marine firm Seatrium, graduated from the Vocational & Industrial Training Board (VITB, ITE's predecessor) in 1988. 

He said that the hands-on learning experience at the time built his confidence and provided a strong technical foundation. He encourages ITE students to actively participate in exchange programs, internships, and workshops, seize practical opportunities, and explore different career paths.

"The future belongs to those who continue learning, adapt flexibly, and collaborate well." 

He added that the company will give back to ITE and society by building bridges between schools and industry, offering students opportunities to visit and experience new technologies, sparking their curiosity and desire to learn. The company will also launch a mentorship program to guide ITE students and provide more internship and job opportunities.