Hatem Amer reflects on his lively days and insightful takeaways during his time as a Master in Public Administration (MPA) student at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP). Prior to joining the MPA programme, Hatem was Associate Minister for International Relations at Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population.
When Hatem Amer landed in Singapore in August 2025 to begin his MPA at LKYSPP, the moment felt less like an arrival and more like a homecoming.
Nearly three decades earlier, from 1998 to 2001, Hatem had walked these same streets as a child. As the son of an Egyptian diplomat posted to Singapore, Hatem spent four years of his childhood attending primary school in the city-state.
Through these formative years, Hatem developed fond memories and a unique view of Singapore. Even then, through the observant eyes of a child, Hatem sensed that this was a nation that treated human capital – not natural resources – as its main fuel for development. Its strong government leadership then turned this advantage to catapult Singapore’s economic development, despite all of its natural limitations.
Years later, Hatem returned as a graduate student – this time not just an observer, but a seasoned public health leader seeking the academic and analytical tools to drive lasting policy impact.
The wealth of shared experience
As the Associate Minister for International Relations at Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population, Hatem is no stranger to high-stakes decision-making. Yet, stepping into the LKYSPP classroom, he discovered a new level of intellectual diversity.
What is most apparent, Hatem notes, is the sheer diversity of its students – with classmates representing countries from every continent of the world, spanning ages from 28 to 51, and bringing anywhere from six to 25 years of professional experiences.
For Hatem, this melting pot of backgrounds transformed the classroom into a dynamic forum: every peer contributed fresh perspectives, enabling the cohort to seamlessly build connections between existing operational knowledge, work experience, and theoretical engagement.
Bridging practice and theory
Having worked for over 13 years in healthcare administration and international relations, Hatem found that LKYSPP’s rigorous curriculum provided a complementary theoretical framework to his practical experience. The MPA programme’s vast array of electives offered multiple avenues for exploration, with courses ranging from economic development to global governance and coding.
His favourite course, Conflict Resolution, particularly stood out as it provided him with structured frameworks for organisational effectiveness. For instance, Hatem learned about the 7S model comprising skills, systems, strategy, staff, style, structure, and shared values. Understanding this, Hatem explains, better equips him to return to the Ministry and help ensure that national policies are sustainable, robust, and future-proof.
Empowering global leaders
Hatem’s journey at LKYSPP was made possible through a prestigious scholarship from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs – a partnership that carries deep historical significance. Egypt was among the first eight nations to recognise Singapore’s independence in 1965, serving as the gateway for Singapore’s very first embassy in the Middle East and Africa.
For Hatem, his time at LKYSPP has been unforgettable – it not only deepened his understanding of the Asian region, especially within the context of larger South-South Cooperation, but also forged relations that extended far beyond Asia. These are the connections and memories that Hatem will carry with him for a long time.
Ultimately, the MPA programme delivered on its promise: equipping mid-career professionals with the confidence to return to their roles, expand their horizons through theoretical grounding and scientific rigour, and approach public service with newfound clarity and purpose.
To find out more about the MPA programme, click here.