Great Eastern marks centennial with $500,000 gift to support bursaries in honour of late chairman Howe Yoon Chong

April 2008

Life is great! Mr Michael Wong Pakshong, Chairman of Great Eastern (left) with
Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost

Great Eastern marks 100 years of making life great with a $500,000 gift to NUS to help students in financial need. The gift will be used to set up the Great Eastern-Howe Yoon Chong Bursary, named in honour of its late chairman, Mr Howe Yoon Chong.

Students will receive the first 10 awards in the academic year which starts in August 2008, which is also when GE’s centennial celebrations will be taking place. And thanks to the Government’s dollar-for-dollar matching grant, the total number of bursaries will be increased to 20 every year from 2010 onwards. The Great Eastern–Howe Yoon Chong Bursary is open to eligible students university wide.

Mr Michael Wong Pakshong, Chairman, Great Eastern said: “Great Eastern turns 100 this year. We wish to share our joy with the less privileged in our society. We hope that our contribution will help to make a difference in the lives of these financially needy students. We want them to further their education with no worries.”

Paying tribute to the late Mr Howe, Mr Wong said: “He strongly advocated educational support for students from financially disadvantaged background. As he was an alumnus of the University of Malaya, the predecessor of NUS, it is fitting for us to establish this bursary bearing his name at NUS.”

Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said: “We are deeply grateful for this gift from Great Eastern in honour of their late Chairman, Mr Howe Yoon Chong, to help talented, deserving students at NUS overcome personal financial difficulties and complete their education. The Great Eastern–Howe Yoon Chong Bursary continues the legacy of a great and compassionate man who believed in equal access to education for all.”