Serving Dreams, Racing Futures

Singapore national table tennis player Ser Lin Qian has been awarded the prestigious spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship under the New Career Track, recognising her achievements as one of Singapore’s rising sporting talents and her commitment to pursuing sports full-time before continuing her university education.

Currently a student-athlete at Singapore Sports School and set to graduate in 2027, Lin Qian shared that receiving the scholarship was both an honour and a meaningful source of motivation.

“I feel really honoured and grateful to receive the SpexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship. It’s very encouraging to know that the journey I’ve been on is recognised, and it gives me even more motivation to keep pushing for higher goals,” she said.

The scholarship provides Lin Qian with greater assurance as she continues pursuing table tennis at the highest level while planning for her academic future.

“This scholarship gives me a lot of assurance and peace of mind. I’m able to fully commit to table tennis at this stage of my career, knowing that my education pathway is supported. It really allows me to go all in,” she shared.

Following graduation, Lin Qian intends to pursue table tennis full-time as she continues her rise on the international stage. In February, Lin Qian rose to a career-high No. 93 world ranking, and she views the achievement as only the beginning of a bigger journey ahead.

“Breaking into the top 100 was a meaningful milestone, but I see it more as a starting point. My next goal is to keep climbing the rankings and work towards the top 50, while also performing consistently at major competitions,” she said.

For Lin Qian, success extends beyond rankings and medals. She hopes to continue growing into a more complete athlete capable of competing consistently under pressure and proudly representing Singapore at the highest stages of sport, including the Olympic Games.

Her progress over the years has been built on consistency, mental resilience, and learning to manage high-pressure situations more effectively.

“I’ve learned to handle matches better, especially under pressure, and I’ve gained more confidence from competing internationally. Having a strong support system around me has also made a huge difference,” she explained.

Balancing high performance sport and academics has required discipline and sacrifice, particularly with demanding training schedules and overseas competitions. However, Lin Qian believes the journey has been worthwhile because of the experiences and opportunities the sport has given her.

Reflecting on her development, she credits Sports School for playing a key role in shaping her both as an athlete and individual.

“Sports School has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. It gave me the environment and support to grow not just as an athlete, but also as a person, and helped me learn how to balance both sport and studies,” she said.

With strong support from Singapore’s sporting ecosystem and clear goals ahead, Lin Qian continues to focus on steady improvement, embracing the process while striving to represent Singapore with pride on the global stage.

National cyclist Valencia Tan enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025 when she claimed a silver medal at her first Southeast Asian Games appearance, marking a significant milestone in her sporting journey. As she prepares to begin university later this year, she shared that the scholarship provides invaluable support as she balances the demands of elite sport and academics.

“I am incredibly grateful to be selected as a recipient of the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarship as I begin my university journey this year. Coming from a less financially privileged background, the cost of university has always been a significant concern for us. This scholarship not only alleviates that burden, but also gives me the opportunity to pursue my sport and studies with greater peace of mind,” she said.

Having officially graduated from Sports School on 4 May 2026, Valencia plans to pursue a degree in Business and has applied to several local universities, with the National University of Singapore among her top choices.

“Balancing high performance sport and university is never easy — it truly takes a village to support an athlete. Knowing that I have the support of both my school and the spex programmes gives me the confidence to pursue and excel in both areas,” she shared.

Over the next few years, Valencia hopes to continue progressing on the international stage, with ambitions to win gold for Singapore at the 2029 SEA Games on home soil and to qualify for the Olympic Games.

During her time at Sports School, Valencia was part of the joint Sports School-Republic Polytechnic Diploma in Business programme, which she credits for helping her effectively manage the demands of training, competition, internship, and academics. One of her biggest challenges came last year when she balanced a six-month internship while simultaneously preparing for the SEA Games.

“These experiences pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me develop important qualities such as time management, discipline, and perseverance,” she said.

Looking back on her journey, she credited Sports School for believing in her potential during the early stages of her cycling career.

“When I first entered after my GCE O-Levels, I was a junior cyclist with limited experience and achievements. Sports School gave me the opportunity to grow,” she shared.

With strong ambitions ahead and continued support behind her, Valencia remains focused on pushing her limits both on and off the bike as she embarks on the next chapter of her sporting and academic journey.