NTU gets $110m gift to help needy students and the community

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has received a $110 million gift from UOB and the Wee Foundation, one of the largest in the university's history.

- Elisha Tushara

With government matching, the total amount will come up to $275 million, which will go towards programmes to help NTU students from low-income families and to give back to the community.

This is the second-largest sum the university has received.

The largest was from the Lee Foundation in 2011, which contributed $150 million to its medical school - the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.

The latest donation was announced at a signing ceremony on April 14 at the Pan Pacific Orchard.

The gift is in honour of the late Dr Wee Cho Yaw, UOB's former chairman, who set up the Wee Foundation, a Singapore-based charity that focuses on education, healthcare and Chinese culture.

For a start, the money will be channelled towards three new programmes that will support up to 1,200 NTU students and 1,500 children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds each year.

First, under the NTU Opportunity Grant, students who face financial challenges can receive up to $10,000 to help fund their needs, including campus accommodation, going on overseas exchanges or taking part in other out-of-classroom experiences.