ANNUAL GIVING B ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 01 THE TIME IS NOW The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

The second best time is now. Contents

Provost’s Message 04 Giving is for Everybody 06 Your Giving Counts 07 Thank You 08 Annual Giving Appreciation Dinner 10 Alumni Family Day 11 Honouring an Outstanding Leader 12 Alumni Champion 13 Alumni Giving 14 Group Giving 15 Class Giving 17 Faculty and Staff Giving 19 Student Contributors 20

Left The Innovation 4.0 building is NUS’ latest facility designed to synergise and power ’s future through research and innovation in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and analytics and optimisation. Featuring a media wall that is constantly changing, the foyer provides a sense of possibility, opportunity and openness. 04 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 05 THE TIME IS NOW

Provost’s Message

Dear alumni and friends,

A sincere and heartfelt “Thank You” to all of you. donor, but also an exemplary motivator, rallying her Your benevolence and generosity have enabled fellow alumni to establish an endowed scholarship generations of deserving young people to receive fund to give a leg up to students to allow them to a quality education at the National University of reach their potential. Singapore (NUS). In this Report, some of our recipients also share their We want to help students pursue their passions gratitude. Vanessa Goh Dai Jia echoes the sentiments and get primed for their diverse careers and lifetime of many who have been inspired to give back what experiences. Your donations play a key role in they have received. inspiring these young people to live out their dreams. Your support will enable us to continue to motivate Your gifts to the NUS Annual Giving campaign have our students to become positive change leaders in transformed the lives of 4,646 students through the our community. 1,610 scholarships and 3,036 bursaries awarded in the 2017 academic year. Thank you.

The Annual Giving Report 2017/2018 brings to life some inspiring stories of our donors’ kindness. One example is that of Associate Professor Ong Soh Prof Ho Teck Hua (’85) Khim (’92). She is not only an alumna and a faculty Senior Deputy President & Provost, NUS 06 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 07 THE TIME IS NOW Giving is for Everybody Thank you to our 11,138 donors who generously Your Giving Counts gave S$5,381,842 to the Annual Giving 2017 Campaign. Your gifts are helping our students enjoy the many opportunities on offer at NUS University-wide AY17 3,036 and achieve their potential. Bursary Awards Awarded by Academic Year (AY), AY16 3,021 August to July

AY15 3,089 Our Donors % AY14 3,009 Alumni 58 Commencement Class ’17 % Friends and organisations 17 AY13 2,919 Faculty and staff

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Gifts to Annual Giving are an important source of funding for University-wide bursaries.

University-wide AY17 1,610 % Scholarship Awards Awarded by Academic Year (AY), 16 AY16 1,562 August to July

AY15 1,527 9% AY14 1,553

AY13 1,647

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Gifts to Annual Giving contribute to attracting and nurturing the best and brightest students. These scholars add vibrancy to the academic To join the Annual Giving community, visit www.nusgiving.nus.edu.sg environment and become leaders who can transform our community. 08 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 09 THE TIME IS NOW Thank You

“I could enjoy every facet of university life because of NUS donors. The philanthropic community has been extremely gracious in shaping the lives of many like me and it has inspired me to give back to the community in the future.” Goh Dai Jia Vanessa Year 1, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Recipient of NUS Bursary and Residential Programme Bursary

Left Bursary recipient Tan Jia Shun delivering his thank you speech

Above Professor Chua Kee Chaing (’87), Dean, NUS Faculty of Engineering speaking with Jia Shun after his speech

Good evening, honorable guests and friends, At my next visit, he surprised me by presenting answers to all the questions that I had gotten wrong. When I asked Last year, I had my mom in the audience when I shared him how he had done it, he replied, “Google lor.” While he about how grateful I was for having the support of loved beamed with pride, I sensed something stir within him. He ones like her, as well as donors like you. Tonight, I want to soon became more confident and started having fun solving share about how your generous contributions have helped mathematical problems, ultimately scoring an A2 for his change not only the lives of students like me, but also the O-level Mathematics paper, a vast improvement from his lives of those around us. preliminary examination.

“I am deeply grateful for the Over the last one year, one particular event stood out. Fast forward a few years. Several weeks back, I caught bursary I have received as it has I count it as one of the greatest achievements of my life. up with him over dinner. He shared how he would be significantly helped me in my undergoing a teacher-training course and hopes to teach A few years ago, an elderly neighbor in our Dakota estate Mathematics. It was a big surprise, considering how much financial planning. This means asked me to tutor her grandson in Mathematics as he he had hated the subject in the past. I am able to focus more on my was struggling with the subject. Some of you may know that the estate houses a large percentage of lower-income It is amazing how a little help can change a person’s life. Be it academics and goals without the families. My neighbour said she could not afford to pay financial help or a simple pat on the back, a gift from the heart stress and worry that I will have tuition fees but she offered me free meals at the western can make a huge difference in someone’s life. The generous insufficient money to pay for my food stall where her grandson was working part-time. Free souls who have gathered here tonight are testament to the food! It was a big win-win for us. I said yes. selfless desire to help improve the lives of others. I thank you education. Thank you!” for improving mine, so I could improve others’. Choy Wei Jie After I had examined my tutee’s failed assignments, he Year 2, NUS Faculty of Engineering said, “Aiyah, you got into NUS, you are different. I will never But we are not done. Let us continue to make the world a Recipient of NUS Bursary be able to study as well as you.” better place, one little effort at a time. Thank you.

I smiled and showed him the mid-term paper of a course that I had done badly for, whispering to him, “We’re the same. Don’t tell my mom.” His eyes lit up when he saw my Thank you speech of bursary recipient, Tan Jia Shun paper filled with mistakes and asked if he could attempt to Year 4, NUS Faculty of Engineering, solve “NUS problems.” delivered at the NUS Engineering Appreciation Dinner 2018 10 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 11 THE TIME IS NOW Annual Giving Alumni Family Day Appreciation Dinner

Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day At the Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day 2017, held at Town Green in August, the NUS community of alumni, students, faculty and staff members and their families enjoyed a fun-filled day of carnival games and food. Many dropped by the NUS Giving booth to lend their support to the Annual Giving campaign.

Every year, the Annual Giving team invites loyal supporters to an appreciation dinner to thank them for their generosity. The event brings together donors, bursary and scholarship recipients, Commencement Class champions, as well as faculty and staff members. 12 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 13 THE TIME IS NOW Honouring an Alumni Champion Outstanding Leader

Professor (’83) Motivated by her personal life “I have met many undergraduate As a tribute to Professor Tan’s years experience, as well as her interactions of dedicated service to the University with students as a faculty member, students who worked part-time to and to Singapore, the Alumni Student Associate Professor Ong Soh Khim Advancement Committee, consisting (’92) championed a fundraising drive, finance themselves. I initiated this of Mr Johnny Tan (’82), Mr Yeo Keng rallying her classmates to mark their Joon (’85), Mr Seah Cheng San (’82) graduation anniversary by raising scholarship fundraising campaign and Mr Soh Yi Da (’14), is raising funds funds for the Mechanical Engineering because I believe a person’s potential to honour him through an endowed (ME) Class of 1992 Scholarship student support fund. The gifts will Endowment Fund. and future should not be limited, perpetuate Professor Tan’s belief in realising the potential of young people, or constrained, by his or her be it through enabling upward social mobility with a bursary or encouraging financial circumstances.” all-rounded educational excellence Associate Professor Ong Soh Khim (’92) with a scholarship. Department of Mechanical Engineering, NUS Faculty of Engineering

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan

From left NUS President Prof (’85) [left] and Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (’83) 14 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 15 THE TIME IS NOW Alumni Giving “I lived through the challenge Group Giving of having little and had to work part-time to support my studies. Eusoff Endowed Bursary But I benefited from a bursary, With the unstinting and enthusiastic passed to my late father from support of a committee consisting a friend and it saw me through of alumni from the cohorts of 1989 my journey in NUS. I am doing to 1995, Mr Raymond Tan Eng my part to pay it forward.” Teik (’95) organised Eusoff Hall’s inaugural charity golf. The event Ms Ng Hwee Sim, Cindy (’90) Commercial Asia Pacific Vice President raised more than S$214,000 for in a medical device company the newly established Bursary.

Ms Ng has been a loyal donor to NUS since 2007, giving to bursaries at the Faculty of Science. Kent Ridge Hall Bursary Kent Ridge Hall alumni and friends “I have a rather selfish reason for raised more than S$340,000 through supporting NUS Giving: the kind the Kent Ridge Hall Charity Golf 2017 of society that I will live in my old to establish the Kent Ridge Hall Bursary age depends very much on how Endowed Fund. The Fund will provide we educate, guide and develop support to financially-needy residents our youths today. So I hope my of the Hall. tiny contribution could help to build a future generation that is vibrant, respectful and caring.” Mr Lum Phui Yuen (’88) Director, ThinkingSphere Pte Ltd “We are thankful that we’ve met each other in NUS, fallen in love, gotten married and built a family Mr Lum has been a loyal donor to the together. We decided to give to Annual Giving campaign since 2006. this Bursary as we believe that it’s a blessing to give and inspire “My parents instilled the value of charity in other NUS couples to build all their children. Giving to an educational healthy families and give back cause is fulfilling because it will make a to NUS and our society.” difference in the lives of the recipients, who may continue the tradition likewise.” Dr Eugene Wong (’92) and Ms Emily Chin (’92) Mr Munir Shah (’74) NUS Campus Couple Consultant, Asian Squash Federation and Shah Associates NUS Campus Couples Bursary Dr Eugene Wong (’92) and Ms Emily Chin (’92), donors to the NUS Campus From left Dr Eugene Wong (’92), Ms Emily Couples Bursary Endowed Fund, attended the third Valentine’s Day Dinner. Mr Shah has been a loyal donor to the Chin (‘92) and NUS President, Prof Tan Championed by a fellow alumnus, Mr Yeo Keng Joon (’85), the dinner raised Annual Giving campaign since 1998. Eng Chye (’85) close to S$226,000 for the NUS Campus Couples Bursary Endowed Fund. 16 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 17 THE TIME IS NOW Class Giving

NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni The NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni set up a new endowment fund at its 25th anniversary celebration and reunion dinner. The NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni Endowment Fund will support Business undergraduates. More than S$480,000 was raised with the support of alumni and friends from China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore.

The NUS Business School Mandarin Alumni came together in support of a new generation of students.

Mechanical Engineering Class of 1992 The Mechanical Engineering Class of 1992 commemorated its 25th graduation anniversary by raising funds to establish an endowed scholarship. The class raised more than S$240,000 From left Mr Soh Yi Da (’14), Mr to support deserving undergraduates Chee Hong Tat, Prof Wang Gungwu “I am heartened that our alumni recognise at the NUS Faculty of Engineering (’52) and Prof Kishore Mahbubani (’71) through this Scholarship. at the NUS FASS Gala Dinner 2017. the importance of engaging with Asia and share our vision of supporting students’ experiential learning in the region. They have really stepped forward to support Mechanical Engineering Class of 1992 the FASStrack Asia Advancement Bursary at their 25th anniversary class reunion. Fund – our first group-giving initiative – Law Class of 1982 that has proven to be highly successful.” To date, more than S$350,000 has been contributed by the Law Class of 1982 to Professor Robbie Goh (’88) help promising but financially challenged Dean, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students to read law at NUS.

FASStrack Asia Advancement Bursary Championed by Mr Soh Yi Da Asia. FASStrack Asia is a summer (’14), who benefitted from overseas programme that offers NUS and exposure as an undergraduate, international students an enriching the FASStrack Asia Advancement platform to explore their interests Bursary Fund supports financially in Asian Studies and deepen needy students so they can have an their understanding of different experiential learning experience in Asian cultures. 18 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 19 THE TIME IS NOW Engineering Class of 1982 Faculty and “I hold cherished memories of my An active alumnus, Mr Seah Cheng Staff Giving student years in NUS and I hope San (’82), has been championing the fundraising efforts for the my modest contribution can expand Engineering Class of 1982 Endowed opportunities for supporting worthy Bursary since its inception in 2011. In celebration of its 35th anniversary students. Studying at NUS also in 2017, the class topped up the opened up a life-transforming Bursary with close to S$120,000 career journey for me and it is to help more financially needy Engineering students, bringing the my wish it will be the same for total fund size to over S$2.5 million. the beneficiaries of NUS Giving.” Mr Maurice Tan (’91) From left Mr Edwin Seow (’82), Mr Koh Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Department of Marketing, NUS Nghee Kwang (’82), Ms Angie Ng (’82), Business School, is a donor to the Leong Siew Meng Mr Seah Cheng San (’82), Mr Steven Memorial Fund, set up in honour of his former professor. Cheong (’82) and Mr Liew Kian Heng (’82) at the 33rd Anniversary Dinner of Engineering Class of 1982 in 2015. “To give, knowing that it will go towards “We have benefited from our medical training helping students’ education in NUS is and have had successful careers spanning 50 deeply meaningful. I believe no one should years. A golden anniversary is a very special be deprived of an education in this era occasion – besides celebrating it with a class because it opens the doors to the future.” Ms Teh Wei Fong (’86) reunion, we wanted to commemorate the Senior Associate Director, Dean’s Office, milestone with a lasting legacy. Establishing NUS Faculty of Science an endowed bursary to help needy medical students is our way of giving back to society.” Dr Vivien Choo (’67) and Dr Winston Koh (’67)

MBBS Class of 1967 The MBBS Class of 1967 celebrated their 50th graduation anniversary by setting up an endowed bursary fund “I give to Duke-NUS because to support medical undergraduates I strongly support the future in financial need. of our students and believe in the applications of our research.” Ms Dharshini Subbiah Assistant Manager, Duke-NUS Medical School

The MBBS Class of 1967 at their 50th anniversary class reunion dinner. 20 ANNUAL GIVING 2017/18 Student Contributors

Student Donor “My parents are always generous and willing to share what they have. Once, they brought my sister and me to visit a charitable organisation in Taiwan to see firsthand the community work accomplished by inspiring volunteers. My upbringing has definitely shaped my attitude towards philanthropy.” Phillip Ming (photographed with his mother) Year 1, NUS Business School Student donor to Annual Giving campaign

Commencement Class Over 90 Class Champions rallied the Class of 2017 to raise more than S$85,000 for the 2017 Commencement Class Giving. Commencement Class Giving is a longstanding tradition of graduating classes to enable their juniors to enjoy the same education that they received.

Phonathon Callers Throughout the year, our Phonathon callers reconnect with alumni and donors to seek their support for the NUS Annual Giving Campaign.

“Being a phonathon caller is interesting as I get to speak to different people all the time. While it gets challenging sometimes, knowing that I am helping others makes this job meaningful.” Nur Farah Sng Year 2, NUS School of Design and Environment