New $250,000 gift to fund up to 10 bursaries annually

7 October 2008

A donor who wishes to remain anonymous has made a S$250,000 endowed gift to support the Gan Eng Teck and Maria Tan Ah Ho Bursary in memory of her parents. The gift will attract a dollar for dollar matching grant from the government and support up to 10 University-level bursaries annually. Each bursary is valued at S$2,500.

“My parents were a loving, caring and generous couple who exuded love, care and concern not only for the family, but also other relatives,” said the donor. “Their generosity was manifested in their looking after my widowed aunts and children after the death of their spouses, as well as in helping other relatives who were in need of financial aid,” she added.

The donor's late parents, Mr Gan Eng Teck and Mdm Maria Tan Ah Ho

The donor was herself a recipient of financial assistance during her time in the University of Singapore – a predecessor institution of NUS. A S$300 gift from a local priest helped her get started at University and a Public Service Commission (PSC) Merit Bursary supported her throughout the course of her studies in Economics.

“I was able to study with a peaceful mind and excel in my studies,” the donor said, expressing her gratitude for the bursary she received. She added that she hopes that her gift will generate “multiplier effects” on recipients of the Gan Eng Teck and Maria Tan Ah Ho Bursary.

“When bursary recipients graduate and establish themselves in their careers, I hope that they would come forward to donate to the University to assist other financially needy students in the future,” the donor said.