A research project being conducted at SMU by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation and John Donaldson, Associate Dean of the School of Social Sciences, on issues faced by vulnerable communities, received a welcome boost in funding on 11 November 2013. The Centre was the recipient of a $100,000 grant at the Singapore Turf Club’s Annual Charity Race Day at the Singapore Racecourse (Kranji). Assistant Director of the Lien Centre, Jenny Huq received the cheque on behalf of SMU from former President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan, who was the Guest-of-Honour.

Sanushka Mudaliar, Lien Centre Senior Manager, said that the grant will support an action research project that looks into the issues faced by vulnerable communities such as the elderly and people with disabilities. This is all part of the Lien Centre’s work on unmet social needs in Singapore.

“This is a new project that extends our work in this area as it enables us to work closely with Voluntary Welfare Organisations [VWOs] in the non-profit sector to conduct primary research –focus groups, interviews and surveys – with vulnerable communities in Singapore.  Through the grant, we can now work with VWO partners and community members to develop, test and pilot new or improved services that meet the needs of these communities,” Sanushka explained.

The Lien Centre for Social Innovation is a partnership between the Lien Foundation and SMU. It was established in 2006 to catalyse innovative responses to social needs through applied research and capacity building in collaboration with the public, private and social sectors.

The Centre was one of 23 recipients to receive a total of S$1.5 million from Tote Board and Singapore Turf Club at the event, which was held in conjunction with the Longines Singapore Gold Cup.

Main photo:  (L—R) Mumtaz Md. Kadir, Lien Centre Assistant Manager, Research; John Donaldson, Associate Dean (External Relations) and Associate Professor, Political Science, School of Social Sciences; and Sanushka Mudaliar, Lien Centre Senior Manager.

Below: Former President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan (2nd from L) presents a cheque for S$100,000 to Assistant Director of the Lien Centre for Innovation, Jenny Huq (2nd from R). Also pictured are Mr Tan Guong Ching, Chairman of Singapore Turf Club (extreme L) and Mr Moses Lee, Chairman of Tote Board (extreme R).