A high standard of public
health is key to national
welfare, the economy and
productivity. The Health
Promotion Board (HPB),
a key agency overseeing
national health promotion
and disease prevention
programmes, is committed
to create a health-supportive
environment
for Singaporeans.
Good health begins with the smallest things. To promote the overall health of Singaporeans,
HPB implements and spearheads health education, promotion and prevention programmes
adapted for our modern lifestyle, such as the Healthier Dining Programme and Workplace
Health Promotion Programme.
A high life expectancy is also not enough – HPB strives to empower Singaporeans to attain optimal
health, increase the quality and years of healthy life and prevent illness, disability and premature
death. HPB Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholars Caleb Kevin Teo and Lim Zhen tell us how they help
Singaporeans enjoy a healthier and higher quality of life.
Tell us more about your decision to apply for the HPB Mid-Term Scholarship.
Caleb Kevin Teo: I interned with HPB’s Corporate Communications Department during my third
undergraduate year, helping to plan media strategies and writing press releases for HPB’s initiatives. I
also assisted in HPB’s media events, studio recordings, campaigns and roadshows.
The Last Man Standing Challenge – an anti-binge drinking campaign – was particularly memorable.
This campaign took its message to popular nightspots and clubs in Singapore with a roving carnival-like
machine and prizes for party-goers who had a sufficiently-low blood alcohol level. I liked how this
campaign was relevant and accessible to the target audience while still driving home its message.
I found the work in HPB to be both exciting and meaningful and this further strengthened my
conviction to serve the public upon graduation!
Caleb Kevin Teo Wei Siang
HPB Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholar
Designation:
Senior Executive,
Research & Evaluation Department,
Research & Strategic Planning Division
Studied:
Bachelor of Social Science with a second major
in Communications & New Media,
National University of Singapore
"I personally believe in the value of investing in one’s health. It’s really a privilege to be able to work on something that I believe in."
Lim Zhen: Initially, I was unsure about what I wanted to do in the future before I entered university.
Like many undergraduates, I believed that the future would take care of itself. Eventually, I came to see the value of planning ahead and having a
concrete goal. The HPB Mid-Term Scholarship
was a perfect opportunity for me as I personally
believe in the value of investing in one’s health. It’s
really a privilege to be able to work on something
that I believe in.
How do you hope to contribute to HPB and the public health landscape?
Caleb: The public health landscape is very
dynamic and exciting. It continues to be
influenced by various stakeholders such as Non-
Governmental Organisation (NGO) leaders, the
Government, commercial businesses, academics,
health experts and the public. I hope to help HPB
become a leader in this field and act as a bridge
that connects the various stakeholders so that
we can all contribute towards building a healthier
nation.
Lim Zhen: I would like to help develop policies
and programmes that will enable people in
Singapore to stay physically and mentally healthy.
I also hope to play an active role in rolling out
these programmes, gathering sentiments from
the ground and ensuring that they successfully
address public needs. I hope that with these
policies and programmes in place, leading a
healthy lifestyle will ultimately become second
nature to Singaporeans.
What is your job scope like and what are some of your responsibilities?
Caleb: I work in the Research & Evaluation
Department, where we conduct quantitative and
qualitative research to gain insights into different
health topics. This includes getting information
on people’s health knowledge, their attitudes
towards various health issues and their living
habits and practices that may influence their
health. We work closely with the programme and
outreach teams to design suitable initiatives to
encourage healthy living.
I deal primarily with research into adolescent
health and communicable disease education. I
help to design research studies, ensure quality
data collection, conduct data analyses, and offer
recommendations and insights to my colleagues
in the programme and outreach departments.
Lim Zhen: My job involves making workplaces
in Singapore healthier and empowering the
working population to lead healthier lifestyles.
For instance, I develop training structures and
enablers of Total Workplace Safety and Health,
an integrated approach to managing safety,
health and well-being in the workplace.
I also work with the Ministry of Manpower to
make health promotion part of workplace safety
and occupational health policies. This enables
a more holistic perspective, where employers
can examine the impact of work on employees'
health and vice versa.
What opportunities have you enjoyed as a HPB Scholar?
Caleb: I attended trainings, workshops and
conferences that kept me updated on the
latest happenings in public health in Singapore
and around the world. For instance, I attended
a WHO-ASEAN conference in Manila that
discussed issues related to tackling tobacco use.
It was an eye-opening experience to be among
leading experts, academics, NGO leaders and
government officials in the field. I learnt about the
best practices in tobacco control from various
ASEAN countries, such as taxing tobacco and
clamping down on illicit trade. It’s very exciting to
be at the forefront of new developments in public
health practices and policies.
Lim Zhen
HPB Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholar
Designation:
Senior Executive,
Workplace Health Planning & Strategy,
Workplace Health & Outreach Division
Studied:
Bachelor of Social Science
with a second major in Sociology,
National University of Singapore
Lim Zhen: HPB was open and supportive of my
decision to embark on a double major programme
in the National University of Singapore (NUS). As
a HPB scholar, I was empowered to pursue my
interests in Psychology and Sociology locally
and experience life out of Singapore while
pursuing some of my modules overseas. HPB’s
support has helped me to make the most out of
my opportunities and in turn, I enjoyed a more
fulfilling and rounded undergraduate education.
At HPB, I have attended meetings with senior
management and Government officials – an
extremely enriching experience that allowed
me to learn more about the decision-making
process and broader considerations influencing
the development of health initiatives. On a lighter
note, I’ve also been part of the cheerleading team
for HPB’s Friendship Games Day, and it was really
enjoyable and fun to bond with my colleagues in
such an informal setting!
What advice do you have for aspiring HPB Scholars?
Caleb: Passion is one of the most important
things to have if you’re considering a HPB
Scholarship. The work is challenging and
difficult, and you’ll need to work on the ground
as well! Nevertheless, if you truly want to make
a difference in the lives of others and believe in
HPB’s vision to build a nation of healthy people,
there is no better scholarship to apply for.
Lim Zhen: Be true to yourself and know where
your interests lie. Your life will be infinitely more
enjoyable and fulfilling if you work on the things
that interest you. Therefore, if health promotion
is something that resonates with you, don’t
hesitate and apply for the HPB Scholarship now!