^{The generous gift from the Low Tuck Kwong Foundation is the single largest donation LKYSPP has received to date.}

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at NUS received a generous gift of S$101 million from the Low Tuck Kwong Foundation to establish a new fund and scholarship aimed at enhancing opportunities for the next generation of Asian leaders in public service and beyond. 

The Low Tuck Kwong Foundation, a charitable foundation named after philanthropist and businessman, Dato’ Dr Low Tuck Kwong, is dedicated to improving lives and enabling communities in Singapore and beyond to build a better society for future generations. In particular, the foundation provides philanthropic support for advancement of education, healthcare and medical research, and community and social welfare.

The special occasion was marked by a signing and cheque presentation ceremony between Ms Elaine Low, daughter of Dato’ Dr Low and Professor Danny Quah, Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics at LKYSPP on 22 February 2023. Other guests present to witness the occasion included Dato’ Dr Low, LKYSPP Governing Board Chairman Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing, Chairman of NUS Board of Trustees Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, and NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye.

Professor Tan said, “This transformational gift from Dato’ Dr Low Tuck Kwong and his family is inspirational. This generous gift has set an extraordinary precedent in philanthropic giving towards advancing education in Singapore. NUS is honoured and privileged to receive a gift of this magnitude, and I am deeply grateful that NUS continues to receive such magnanimous support from Dato’ Dr Low and his family.”

^{ESM Goh and Dato Dr' Low unveil a plaque at the LKYSPP main lobby symbolising LKYSPP’s deep appreciation for the generous gift from the Low Tuck Kwong Foundation and commemorating this significant milestone.}

The new fund, ‘Low Tuck Kwong Foundation Advance Asia Leadership Fund’, will support leadership programmes for public officials from Asia in perpetuity. The fund will be used, among other things, to bring regional and world leaders together in Singapore to facilitate international understanding and collaboration, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a pivotal hub for policymaking and leadership.

Meanwhile, the new ‘Low Tuck Kwong Foundation Scholarship’ will provide scholarships for LKYSPP students from Asia from Academic Year 2023. It will be awarded based on academic merit to students enrolled in LKYSPP’s Master in Public Policy, Master in Public Administration, and Master in International Affairs.

Ms Low, who graduated from LKYSPP with a Master in Public Policy in 2014,  said: “We believe that students and thought leaders will gain from the bilateral learning and exchanges, share best practices, and build meaningful collaboration between Singapore, Indonesia, and the rest of Asia. It is our hope that this will lead to practical solutions to tackle issues and improve the lives of Singaporeans and our neighbours.”

In addition to the fund and scholarship, the gift will enable LKYSPP to expand its Executive Education programme on Singapore Futures. The programme imparts skills related to futures thinking and scenario planning to teachers, student leaders, and young working professionals, so that they are better equipped to think more deeply about the structural factors and existential challenges that will shape Singapore’s future.

This story was first published on 23 February 2023 on NUS News. Click here for more NUS News stories.