Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to Finland, Jaya Mohideen, has had a long and illustrious career as a diplomat, picking up numerous awards along the way for her work in strengthening ties between the Republic and various other countries.

Following stints in the Singapore Administrative Service with the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Defence, Mohideen joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 1976. She was named Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the European Union and The Holy See in 1989, making her Singapore’s first female career ambassador.

After subsequent spells as deputy secretary for management at the MFA and senior consultant to the Economic Development Board, Mohideen was appointed Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to the Czech Republic from April 2000 to December 2006. She took up her current post in May 2007.

Mohideen has also served on the board of trustees of the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda), and was honorary treasurer and vice-chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She was also president of the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds) from 2003-2009.