[13 August 2006]
Businessman and philanthropist Mr Wong Kwok Leong donates S$1M to Singapore Management University

One-year scholarships worth S$10,000 each to be awarded to needy SMU students

Singapore, 13 August 2006 – Local businessman and philanthropist Mr Wong Kwok Leong (???) and his wife have made a donation of S$1 million to the Singapore Management University (SMU) to establish the Wong Kwok Leong Endowed Scholarship. This is the first time that Mr and Mrs Wong are making contributions to a university with the objective of setting up a scholarship for undergraduates. Starting from Academic Year 2007/8, at least three one-year scholarships, worth S$10,000 each, will be awarded every year to deserving SMU students facing financial hardships.

The Wong Kwok Leong Endowed Scholarships are open to full-time Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident undergraduates pursuing any Bachelor's degree programme at SMU. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic results, leadership skills, good character and active involvement in co-curricular activities. As it is a financial aid scholarship, applicants' per capita monthly household income must not exceed S$900. In line with Mr and Mrs Wong's strong commitment and lifelong dedication towards philanthropy and giving back to the society, applicants must show a deep passion and conviction towards community service. In return for the scholarship, scholars are expected to develop a fund-raising proposal in the area of volunteer and charity work, and execute the project in close consultation with the donor. This community service requirement, whose objectives must be aligned with the charitable goals and strategic vision of the donor, will be spearheaded and delivered by the scholars themselves.

“There are many bright students in Singapore who unfortunately fall behind their peers because of financial hardship. We believe in extending an equal chance of a proper education to these deserving students. Scholarships provide the opportunity for them to rise above their circumstances and benefit from an all-rounded education. Credit goes to SMU for taking the wise approach of making community service a compulsory requirement for all its undergraduates. We are very encouraged by this commendable education policy of instilling the right character and values at a young age. The scholarship programme will further increase the level of social consciousness and compassion for the less fortunate among SMU students,” said Mrs Wong Kwok Leong.

“We are honoured that Mr and Mrs Wong have chosen to make this generous donation to help needy SMU students with their tuition fees and daily expenses. In SMU, one of our fundamental beliefs is that no deserving student should ever be deprived of a university education here just because of financial hardship. The Wong Kwok Leong Endowed Scholarships will go a long way towards lifting the financial burden off students from low income families. They can now, like their peers, concentrate on their studies and enjoy all the opportunities of a fulfilling four-year education in SMU such as overseas exchange programmes, internships abroad and study missions. At the same time, they will experience character-building through serving the less privileged in society,” said Professor Howard Hunter, President, Singapore Management University.

The new Wong Kwok Leong Endowed Scholarships, which is bond-free, will be included in the pool of undergraduate scholarships available to SMU students. Needy students will now benefit from more choices and a wider range of financial aid scholarships. Every academic year, one in nine incoming SMU students will stand a chance to qualify for a scholarship.