Over S$500,000 raised from NUS alumni and friends to fund bursaries for needy students
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has received more than S$500,000 in gifts from alumni and friends of the University, which was successfully raised at the 25th NUS Alumni and Friends Charity Golf 2016 tournament jointly organised by NUS and the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) on 13 October 2016. The funds raised will go towards supporting bursaries for financially-disadvantaged students at NUS.
The 25th NUS Alumni and Friends Charity Golf tournament was held at the Raffles Country Club yesterday, with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as the Guest-of-Honour. Contributions from NUS alumni and friends totalled S$564,500, which will provide up to 20 bursaries per year for NUS students, starting from Academic Year 2018/2019. The gifts will also be eligible for government matching.
Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said, “We are grateful for the generosity and support from our NUS alumni and friends. Their contributions provide a strong boost to the university’s ongoing efforts to enable more of our talented students to fulfil their potential and make a lasting impact to the Singapore community. We hope the success of this event will inspire others to join us in creating more opportunities for our students, especially those who are in need of financial support.”
Mr Eddie Lee, President of NUSS, and a supporter of the NUS Alumni and Friends Charity Golf 2016, shared, “I am fortunate to have studied law at NUS and I know that my education has helped me to be the person I am today. But my education came at a price: I had to take out a loan from an uncle and worked part-time to pay for my tuition fees. I want to do what I can to help today’s students, who are facing the same financial challenges, to benefit from a life-changing education just as I did. I appeal to my fellow alumni and friends to join me in making a gift so that many more deserving needy students have the opportunity of a tertiary education.”
About 140 NUS alumni and friends, including ESM Goh, took part in the annual golf tournament. This was followed by a dinner and prize presentation ceremony at the NUSS Guild House on the NUS Kent Ridge campus. ESM witnessed a cheque presentation by the Chairman of the Golf Fundraising Committee, Mr Seah Cheng San, to NUS Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye. Key donors were also presented with a commemorative plaque in recognition and appreciation of their generous support of student bursaries.
The NUS Alumni & Friends Golf tournament is an annual event and this is the first year in which a fundraising element was incorporated to raise funds to create bursaries for students in financial need.
