With the Khoh Tio Ching – 717 Bursary, Er Khoh Tio Ching (Engineering ’14) is giving back to the community that helped shape him, supporting future civil engineers as they lay the groundwork for Singapore’s tomorrow.
For Er Khoh Tio Ching, engineering has always been about more than concrete and calculations. It’s about going deeper to create foundations that last in cities, careers and lives.
Now, through the Khoh Tio Ching – 717 Bursary, he is helping others find their footing. The Bursary supports financially needy civil engineering students from the NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE).
His motivation for giving comes from personal experience. “During my undergraduate years at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), I was fortunate to receive a bursary myself,” he shared. “That support eased my financial burden and allowed me to focus fully on my studies. I’ve never forgotten that feeling.”
From Student to Engineer to Giver
A graduate of NUS’ Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering programme, Er Khoh completed his studies in 2014 and went on to register as a Professional Engineer in 2017.
Eight years later, he founded Engineers 717 Pte Ltd, a consultancy specialising in civil, geotechnical and tunnel engineering projects in Singapore and beyond.
Er Khoh attributes much of this current working approach to his time at NUS. “The programme gave me a strong foundation — not just technically, but in how to think and solve problems,” he said. Rigorous coursework, exposure to complex case studies and mentorship all helped shape his perspective.
Those lessons followed him through years of work on major infrastructure projects, where he learned that engineering is about trust and responsibility. “NUS taught me to think critically, solve complex problems and uphold high professional standards,” he elaborated. “That mindset gave me the confidence to strike out on my own.”
Er Khoh credits his NUS education at CDE for shaping his mindset, values and trajectory as an engineer.
As for the number 717, this is something that has followed Er Khoh since his youth. “It started as my old gaming ID, tcboy717,” he recalled with a laugh. “But over time, it became more than just a number – it followed me into adulthood as a personal symbol of persistence and identity.”
A reminder to stay grounded and true to these values, Er Khoh is now passing this ethos on through the Bursary. “Including ‘717’ in the bursary name reflects my journey: from student to engineer, from founder to giver,” he shared.
He hopes that more younger professionals will join him in giving back, and giving early. “You don’t need to wait until retirement to give back,” he said. “Giving early allows you to witness the impact of your gift, and hopefully, it inspires a ripple effect in others.”
Laying the Groundwork for the Future
To Er Khoh, civil engineers are the unsung heroes of modern life.
“They form the physical foundation of our society – from the MRT we ride to the tunnels, roads and buildings that keep our cities running, but their work is often unappreciated,” he said.
Supporting civil engineering students through the Bursary is his way of honouring the profession and ensuring it continues to attract passionate and responsible talent for the future.
Er Khoh hopes recipients of the Bursary will find the same clarity and confidence that guided his own path. “I hope they know someone believes in them,” he concluded. “And I hope they build not just structures, but integrity, resilience and compassion.”
You can help future engineers build with integrity too. Join Er Khoh in supporting financially needy CDE students, and empower the next generation to shape the foundations of Singapore with resilience and compassion. Make a gift today.
