138 new donors including 127 alumni follow Prof Shih Choon Fong in giving to NOC Odyssey Fund

10 February 2009

Altogether 139 donors, of whom 127 are alumni of NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC), have made gifts and pledges worth S$65,350 to the Odyssey Fund as of 3 February 2009. The endowed Fund was made possible by an initial gift of S$200,000 by former NUS president, Prof Shih Choon Fong, to support students and programmes that embody the “Spirit of Odyssey”. Their gifts and pledges now bring the total value of the Fund to S$265,350.

The “Spirit of Odyssey” is a theme that Prof Shih often invoked during his speeches to describe what he believes is quintessentially important for NUS – and in particular for NOC - that students have the courage to venture forth into the world, to let themselves be tempered by the challenges of global waters, and to return several times back home as alumni to contribute to and to renew their communities.

The Odyssey Fund will be administered by the CEO of NUS Enterprise and Director of NOC, who will consider inputs from NOC students and alumni in the awarding of grants from the fund. All gifts will attract the prevailing dollar-for-dollar government matching grant which will go towards the Fund.

Iris Tan ’08, who went to NUS College in Bio Valley in 2005, is one of the donors. She said: “For everything that I have benefited, I'm glad to have the opportunity to give back and support the NOC program. I hope this will help to further develop the entrepreneurship spirit in Singapore by nurturing young minds and growing the entrepreneurship landscape in Singapore.”

Make an online gift now to support the Odyssey Fund.