Mr Sanjay Kirpalani is pioneering impact for the next generation with two new scholarships for mental health and healthy longevity.

In the world of philanthropy, Mr Sanjay Kirpalani is an early adopter.

Over the past 12 years, Mr Kirpalani and his family have lent their support to unique and groundbreaking causes at the National University of Singapore (NUS), from solar energy research to health and humanitarianism outreach. As the Chairman of Enpee Group, a transnational manufacturing conglomerate, he sees the value of finding fresh ways to make a difference both in Singapore and beyond.

Today, the Enpee Group Healthy Longevity Scholarship is Mr Kirpalani’s latest gift to support an emerging field, and the very first scholarship to be established at the newly launched NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity.

In addition to the Healthy Longevity Masters Degree, he has also made a gift towards the Enpee Group Mental Health Scholarship at the Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre (YBKMSC). The Scholarships—two for each programme—will be supported by both Mr Kirpalani and his family office.

Bridging Crucial Gaps in Healthcare

The Scholarships reflect Mr Kirpalani’s strong belief in philanthropy for a better future, particularly in the realm of healthcare.

“Healthcare–both physical and mental—is the key to a brighter future, but many people right now are struggling with different aspects of health,” he shared. “Young people are facing challenges with mental health, and the rest of us are searching for the best way to stay healthy as we age. I want to pave a road for a population that has a chance to be healthy in body, mind and soul: lifespan with healthspan is the goal!”

Mr Kirpalani’s longstanding interest in healthy longevity aligned perfectly with the vision of the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity, which is currently pioneering precision geromedicine—a bold step towards optimising health and healthspan for individuals of all ages, for as long as possible.

Professor Aaron Thean, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost (right), together with Mr Sanjay Kirpalani, Chairman of Enpee Group (left), and Mrs Ravina Kirpalani, Head of Philanthropy at Enpee Group Foundation (centre)

The Enpee Group Healthy Longevity Scholarship will attract talented Singaporeans to this emerging field, enabling them to develop the expertise needed to lead new research and practices for healthy longevity medicine.

Similarly, mental health has become an increasingly prevalent concern in Singapore, with 15.4% of Singapore residents aged 18-74 found to have poor mental health. However, access to timely care remains a critical challenge, with long waiting times delaying early intervention and allowing distress to escalate into more severe mental health conditions.

The Master in Clinical Mental Health and Psychotherapy (MCMHP) Programme at YBKMSC is working on addressing this growing need by training more mental health professionals who can support individuals, families and communities. The Enpee Group Mental Health Scholarship will assist in expanding Singapore’s pipeline of well-trained counsellors and psychotherapists, allowing for earlier intervention and better mental health outcomes.

Blazing Trails for the Next Generation

Beyond the many causes he has supported, Mr Kirpalani’s focus has always been to empower the next generation. His children are a large part of his motivation for giving, with one of his previous gifts even being inspired by a dinner conversation with his then teenage children. They had challenged him to use his businesses for the good of the environment—eventually, this transpired into an environmental science scholarship at the NUS Faculty of Science.

“It was the next generation who inspired me to look into that area of study,” he shared. He also commits to annual meetups with recipients of his scholarships, taking the time to get to know them and stay abreast of their learning journey at NUS. Staying connected to these young scholars is how he discovers new ideas and opportunities to explore through philanthropy.

Through the new Scholarships for mental health and healthy longevity, Mr Kirpalani hopes that more talented young Singaporeans will rise to the occasion and become caring, compassionate professionals creating a healthy and vibrant future.

“Philanthropy is never about me,” he said. “It’s always about the people who are coming after. How can we make the world better for them? How can I help my children and their generation to flourish and do better things than we could ever imagine for our own generation? That’s what it’s all about.”

Mr Kirpalani concluded: “A heartfelt thank you to my wife and my now adult children for inspiring our family to continue giving back to society by supporting innovative initiatives that make a meaningful difference in Singapore.”