26
October
2018
|
15:52
Asia/Singapore

In selfless pursuit

Mdm Halimah (centre) presenting Assoc Prof Pang (2nd from left) with the award, flanked by (from left) Mrs Mildred Tan, NVPC Chairman; Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu; and Ms Kwee (Photo: NVPC)

NUS has won the 2018 President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Award under the Education Institution category for excellence in encouraging the spirit of giving in NUS and Singapore. This is the first time the University has received the prestigious honour conferred by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).

NUS Dean of Students Associate Professor Peter Pang received the award from President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor Madam Halimah Yacob at a special awards ceremony on 24 October at Capella Singapore.

Referring to the award winners, which also included individuals, companies, ground-up movements and non-profit organisations, Mdm Halimah said, “Through their selfless acts, they have shown that volunteerism can be a part of all our lives. When all of us pitch in to help those around us, we can make a greater and longer lasting impact on society.”

Out of close to 100 nominations, a total of eight winners were selected based on volunteerism and/or philanthropy best practices, innovativeness of ideas, inspirational value, and impact.

In 1905, our University was founded as a small medical school, by the community for the community. In these 113 years, our dedication to improving the lives of those around us and making a difference to Singapore and the world has not wavered.
— Assoc Prof Peter Pang, NUS Dean of Students

Assoc Prof Pang shared how the University’s culture of service has taken root across the entire NUS community, from freshmen to senior management. Examples include the annual NUS Students’ Union Rag and Flag event, a part of the Freshman Orientation Programme which has to date raised over $8 million in aid of local beneficiaries, and a record-breaking $581,000 in 2018 alone; as well as the Public Health Service initiated by students at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, which has benefited more than 18,000 members of the public.

This year’s NUS Day of Service on 1 September also saw a record 2,050 NUS staff, students and alumni, including senior management, partaking in 57 community service activities reaching 6,130 beneficiaries, while programmes such as the Asia Centre for Social Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy and the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre contribute by undertaking rigorous and multidisciplinary research with the aim of making a difference to the community in sustainable ways.

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The Awards represent the highest honour for those who have set benchmarks of excellence in the spirit of giving (Photo: NVPC)

“In 1905, our University was founded as a small medical school, by the community for the community. In these 113 years, our dedication to improving the lives of those around us and making a difference to Singapore and the world has not wavered,” said Assoc Prof Pang.

CEO of NVPC Ms Melissa Kwee said that the winners represent a microcosm of the best and beautiful elements of society. “Giving unites people and reminds us that we share a great deal in our common humanity. The winners remind us that each of us can choose to use our power and influence in private and public arenas to uplift, comfort, create and expand our imagination of what it means to do good and do well.”