The Donor Appreciation Event 2022, brought guests, donors and members of the NUS community together for a delightful celebration of gratitude and future making.

There’s a masterpiece waiting, that we’re all a part of creating all the way.

All it takes, is a leap of faith and a pencil.

Cause every colour has potential, all it takes is for us to make a change today.

The NUS Giving song was created by the NUS Giving team to unite the community through music.  Titled “Masterpiece”, the song conveyed resolute perseverance towards a common goal, building the spirit of giving and creating a magnitude of possibility.

Fusion girl band Sparkle Live Music performing the NUS Giving song, “Masterpiece”.

“Masterpiece” was launched at the Donor Appreciation Event 2022, where guests and donors were invited to be a part of a delightful celebration of gratitude and future making. With a unique musical arrangement consisting of traditional instruments, the beautiful song was also performed live by fusion girl band Sparkle Live Music, with Ms Priscilla Tan (’11) as the lead vocalist, keyboardist and arranger Ms Lee Ein Ein, guzheng player Ms Sophy Tan, Ruan player Ms Clara Tan and percussionist Ms Serena Chen. 

In his welcome address, President Professor Tan Eng Chye highlighted the key pillars of Community and Social Mobility, Innovation and Enterprise, and Urbanisation and Sustainability where donors have played key roles by showing their strong support.

NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye thanking donors at his opening address.

“We are very thankful to our donors for establishing or supporting bursaries and scholarships. With your financial commitment, deserving students have the opportunity to participate and benefit from the rich range of educational experiences that NUS offers. The world-class education experience at NUS provides a solid foundation to empower them to become future changemakers. Students hone their character and capabilities in their formative years, and grow into leaders of tomorrow,” expressed Prof Tan.

NUS launched the Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme this academic year to fill the gap for students who are most in need of financial assistance and Prof Tan thanked donors who have pledged their support, including anchor donor Quantedge Foundation.

Taking it a step further, the Teach Singapore (Teach SG) initiative trained NUS students to mentor children and youths from low-income families to inspire them towards tertiary education. More than just a tuition programme, our students also focus on helping these children and youths develop good study habits and character traits, giving beneficiaries a true head start in life, and at the same time, cultivating in our students a sense of social responsibility and a spirit of community building.

Other donors, such as Mr Loh Boon Chye (’89), Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Exchange Group, and Mr Ouyang Xiuzhang (’99), are committed to partnering the University in growing innovation through key initiatives, such as the Innovation & Design Accelerator Programme, and the Sino-Innovation Programme.

Corporations and foundations, including Conservation International, Equinix Singapore, Temasek and Silverstrand Capital, also stepped in to support sustainability programmes and research in NUS. Students and alumni are making their mark in the sustainability drive with start-ups like treatsure, a food-saving app that connects consumers to surplus food supplies, and the moonbeam co., an enterprise which upcycles food waste into sustainable granola.

BEAT'ABOX, the first recycled percussion group in Singapore, performing a repertoire of unique beats with unconventional musical instruments.

The audience got to enjoy an unconventional way in which youths are leading the sustainability drive through Green Drumming by BEAT’ABOX, the first recycled percussion group in Singapore. Using dispenser tanks, trash bins and everyday items that have been transformed into trendy instruments, the group performed a repertoire of unique beats. The group was joined by NUS students Regini Lee (Class of 22) and Zhang Yi Jie (Class of 24).

Mr Lawrence Koh captivated the audience with a retelling of the NUS Giving story through sand art.

International sand artist Mr Lawrence Koh brought a different dimension to the evening’s programme by telling the NUS Giving story through a mesmerising series of images created beautifully in sand.

In closing, Professor Liu Bin, Distinguished Professor, Senior Vice Provost (Faculty & Institutional Development), highlighted where donors have supported  the University in the key areas of Healthy Longevity and Smart Technology and Connectivity.

Prof Liu Bin sharing how donors have made an impact to the University in her closing remarks.

“There is a need to nurture a new generation of healthcare professionals who are able to mitigate global health challenges with a multidisciplinary lens. We are grateful to all our donors who are partnering us in paving a brighter future for healthcare. Your support will allow the potential of our people to be further optimised for the benefit of generations to come,” shared Prof Liu.

Prof Liu also stressed the rising demand for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates as Singapore strengthens its Smart Nation roadmap. Apart from developing talents in STEM, NUS also endeavours to create opportunities for more diversity and new perspectives.

With our donors’ partnership, NUS is making important contributions in critical focus areas that will have a positive impact on the future. 

A beautiful rendition of the NUS Giving logo in sand art by Mr Lawrence Koh.