4 Polytechnics Get $4.8m From Ngee Ann Kongsi For Overseas Programmes

More than 2,000 polytechnic students are expected to benefit from a $4.8 million gift from Ngee Ann Kongsi to gain overseas experience in innovation and entrepreneurship.

- Koh Ming Lun

The donation will be channeled into the Global Entrepreneurship Award (GEA), which supports polytechnic students taking part in overseas learning programmes.

The grant will be split equally among Nanyang, Republic, Singapore and Temasek polytechnics. They will each receive $1.2 million from June 2026 to May 2030.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic is not included, as it receives separate funding from Ngee Ann Kongsi for its student development programmes.

Republic Polytechnic principal and chief executive Jeanne Liew, speaking at a ceremony for the signing of the memorandum of understanding and the cheque presentation on Aug 22 at Ngee Ann City, said: "This timely generosity ensures that global opportunities remain accessible even to students from less privileged backgrounds who might otherwise be excluded."

Combined with an earlier tranche in 2022, Ngee Ann Kongsi's funding for the GEA, which was set up in 2022 by the philanthropic organisation, totals $9 million.

The GEA has benefited more than 1,500 polytechnic students.