NUS receives S$1.3 million gift to establish the Oei Tiong Ham Transforming University Libraries Endowment Fund

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has established the Oei Tiong Ham Transforming University Libraries Endowment Fund through a generous gift of US$1 million (approximately S$1.3 million) from Mr Oei’s grandson and spouse, Mr and Mrs Ronald Tanner. Proceeds from the endowment will be used to fund fellowships for the Transforming University Libraries’ Leadership and Innovation Programme (TULLIP) conducted by NUS Libraries, to build capacity amongst librarians from under-resourced institutions in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Honouring Oei Tiong Ham’s contributions to higher education

A prominent figure in Singapore’s history, Mr Oei Tiong Ham was known for building the Oei Tiong Ham Concern (OTHC), one of Southeast Asia’s earliest business conglomerates. The Concern continues to this present day, trading under Kian Gwan Thailand, which is managed by Mr Oei’s grandson, Mr Ronald Tanner.

Besides his reputation as a formidable businessman, Mr Oei was also known for his generous philanthropy. He was particularly interested in supporting education causes, notably giving a S$150,000 gift for the construction of a central hall in Raffles College, one of the predecessor  institutions of NUS. In recognition of his generosity, the Oei Tiong Ham Hall at the then-University of Singapore was renamed after him. The building was gazetted as a national monument in 2009 and still stands today at the current NUS Bukit Timah Campus as the Oei Tiong Ham Building.

The establishment of the Oei Tiong Ham Transforming University Libraries Endowment Fund honours Mr Oei’s contributions to education in Singapore, and in recognition of his regional presence, seeks to benefit under-resourced academic libraries in Southeast Asia. Through the fellowships funded by proceeds from the endowment fund, librarians will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge with the goal of enhancing library services, promoting information literacy, and driving educational and research innovations in their respective academic communities.

“We are very pleased that NUS has decided to name this fund after our grandfather Mr Oei Tiong Ham,” said the Tanners. “It is a fitting tribute to a pioneering benefactor of many educational causes in Singapore and British Malaya. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the impact of his efforts in supporting education in the region has been nothing short of tremendous, and it is our privilege to continue the Oei family’s legacy of helping to uplift communities through investments in education. It is our hope that the fellowships will provide the impetus for librarians to build heritage collections for current and future generations.”

Advancing leadership and innovation in Southeast Asian university libraries

The inaugural NUS Libraries’ TULLIP took place from 6 to 10 January 2025, with a second run scheduled for July 2025. The first TULLIP run saw 30 librarians from Southeast Asia and beyond convening at NUS. Over five days, participants gained insights from a comprehensive overview of innovative library services and technologies, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive positive change and enhance user experiences in their respective library environments.

“I am particularly grateful for the generous support of Mr and Mrs Ronald Tanner,” said NUS University Librarian Associate Professor Natalie Pang. “Over half of our participants benefitted from the grants and financial assistance which enabled them to make the journey to Singapore to join us for this programme. The gift will allow us to sustain and bring about continued participation from under-resourced academic libraries in our region and beyond, contributing to their development and growth.”

The seeds for developing TULLIP were sown through NUS Libraries’ engagement with librarians in Southeast Asia. “Through interacting with our regional colleagues, we became aware of gaps in capacity and capabilities building in a diverse representation,” said Assoc Prof Pang. “This was especially so for library leaders from under-resourced institutions. These emerging leaders often lack the opportunity to develop emerging skills and knowledge to partner researchers, faculty and students at their universities. Beyond traditional roles, academic libraries need to connect their users with high quality scholarly content through innovative programming and facilities, and be stewards and catalysts of change.”

TULLIP participants will gain a practical understanding of key concepts, tools and resources essential for success in the dynamic fields of librarianship, information science and digital scholarship. Participants will engage in a series of sessions covering a wide range of topics, including reference and information discovery, special collections management, systematic review methodologies and innovative library services. Through a combination of evidence-based theoretical learning, hands-on workshops and real-world case studies, participants will develop the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles and make meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of library and information science.

“It is our vision that TULLIP will become a recognised platform for early career librarians and library professionals to learn, network and partner with their university community to achieve research and education excellence,” said Assoc Prof Pang. “For us, this goes beyond just growing the field of academic librarianship. Academic librarians are essential to supporting the advancement of research and academia, as well as student life. We believe that supporting the development of librarians will amplify educational outcomes across the region. We couldn’t think of a better way to honour Mr Oei Tiong Ham’s legacy than with a programme that will potentially have profound impact on educational institutions and their communities across Southeast Asia.”