Donors and Bursary Recipients

 

We thank our donors for their generous support towards our efforts in nurturing the next generation of leaders, innovators and change-makers from Raffles Hall.

Message from donors
 

Raffles Prize and Phoenix Prize 2024

Congratulations to this year’s respective winners of the Raffles Prize, Phoenix Prize, and Master’s Prize: Cheng Wentuo, Lau Kai Chong and Kho Zhe Ming.

I had four wonderful years in RH – my entire time studying law at NUS – and my memories in RH remain much cherished memories even now some two decades on.  Some of my most vivid memories would no doubt sound familiar to even the newest of RH residents today – joining the RH Musical as a freshman, walking to Fong Seng on many a post-midnight jaunt for supper, feeling the adrenalin rush whilst playing in the IHG and conducting non-stop fund raising activities for the many committees we were involved in.

It is sometimes said that that being a hostelite means sacrificing your studies.  My experience suggests it is possible to do the exact converse. Your fellow Rafflesians can be the most important pillar of support in your academic journey. That was certainly my experience: my fellow law students were critical to my law school journey – they studied with me, explained complex legal concepts to me, and even shared notes and exam tips (as I did with them). So in many ways, my law school journey was enhanced as a result of being at RH. Yes, being in hall means you develop other interests, but it is very much possible to have your cake and eat it.  The diversity of perspectives you get from living with prospective engineers, businessmen, computer scientists, social workers, lawyers, doctors and entertainers, and the friendships you develop with all of them, are lifelong.  You end up being family to each other, and I promise you, if your experience is like mine, they end up being lifelong friends.

It is precisely because of these wonderful experiences that I touched base with Master Stella a few years back to ask how I can meaningfully give back in my own little way.  Conceptualising and devising these awards are but a small gesture to an institution that has given me so much over the years.  RH is a community, and being part of such a community makes you quickly come to the realisation that no one makes it on their own and that our successes are often a function of those around us and the opportunities and support they have afforded us. Recognizing this, we all have a responsibility to give back and look out for one another. It is, in many ways, the social compact of what being in a community is all about – an acknowledgment that the ladder of success is steadier when we are all helping each other up one step at a time. I would ask all of you to remember this as well even as you navigate the many academic and professional opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Each of you have done very well for yourselves and all of you, individually and collectively, represent the next chapter of the RH story.  Given your potential, I have no doubt that the next chapter will be even more inspirational and exciting than it has ever been.

Mr Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Abdul Kadir
Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court
NUS Law, Class of 2005



BENJAMIN CHAN KWONG YEE BURSARY

Mr Benjamin Chan Kwong Yee was a NUS Raffles Hall alumnus. He graduated as 1 of only 8 first class honours students across the whole of NUS. He graduated from the Faculty of Science, Chemistry. Mr Chan was also a Raffles Institution alumnus who topped his whole cohort while in RI for consecutive years and eventually obtained a PSC scholarship. As an alumnus of Raffles Hall, he lives by the qualities of the Tiger from the emblem which reflect the ideals of the Raffles Spirit; a beast of boldness, courage and strength. This gift to Raffles hall, is surely one of the best ways to help the recipients focus on developing their talent and fulfilling their potential. This bursary is made possible through the generosity of Mr Benjamin Chan’s elder brother, Mr Rix Chan.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Chew Ding Yao
  • AY2223: Ang Zhi Qin 
  • AY2122: Choo Shin Hwei
  • AY2021: Dian Sofie Jasmi

CHEE SHE WENG BURSARY

This bursary was made possible via Mr Fan Kow Hin, in memory of his father-in-law Mr Chee She Weng, who was principal of Hwa Keow Chinese Primary School (1953-1959). Mr Chee provided strong pastoral care whilst maintaining a strict persona. His well-balanced instruction is fondly remembered by his students and many continue to give tribute to him for their successes in later life. He had an open house policy when it came to his students, and many would come by his house to seek advice about anything or just to have tea. He was a teacher beyond his time believing not only in academic success but more importantly success in life, encouraging them to develop their interests and manage familial expectations. 

Through his father-in-law, Mr Fan’s wife saw how educators give their lives to the service of the next generation with little expectation of credit; instead living vicariously through the successes they envision for their students. With this award, Mr Fan hopes to contribute to his life work and commemorate a great educator and a devoted teacher by carrying on his strong sense of duty towards future generations.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Lim Fang Jun
  • AY2223: Lim Yuan Bing
  • AY2122: Regini Lee Jin Ni
  • AY2021: Koid Chia Sing

ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION BURSARY

Mr Raymond Lau graduated from NUS Mechanical Engineering, and is currently at Ivy Capital Advisors Limited, a company that provides unbiased investment advice and family-office services to individuals, families, foundations and charities. During his Raffles Hall days, he made meaningful friendships and met his eventual wife Mdm Lam Ching Ching.

Having previously benefitted from financial aid himself, Mr Lam strongly believes in giving back to society, and contributed generously towards the ME92 Class Scholarship in 2017 and the Raymond Lau Bursary.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Dylan Quek
  • AY2223: Ho Xiao Ying

FAN KAM CHOO BURSARY

This bursary was made possible by Mr Fan Kow Hin, in honour of his father Mr Fan Kam Choo.

Mr Fan senior worked in the shipping industry and spent many periods of time at sea, away from his family. He worked hard to support his family. Being a devoted father who believed in the potential of all his children, he provided them with good education and inculcated good values in them. Due to his upbringing by his father, Mr Fan Kow Hin believes in the potential of the younger generation and wishes to  dedicate this bursary in honour of his father.

Awardees:

  • AY2324: Soon Fu Hong Wilson

  • AY2223: Raymond Sng Kian Boon 

  • AY2122: Siti Nur Diyana Bte Muhamed N

  • AY2021: Lim Kian Hui

GLOBALWIDE INTERNATIONAL BURSARY

This sub-named bursary is made possible by Ms Rebecca Ng who stayed at Raffles Hall from 1985 to 1988. She had many fond memories with amazing peers who stayed on with her through life; both socially and professionally. It was an incredible period of personal growth and development for her and she hopes this gift will similarly benefit the young people at Raffles Hall today in the same manner.

She hopes that the recipients of this bursary will appreciate and always remember Raffles Hall for shaping their identity in their journey of life.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Crystal Laura Lau Wei Shan 

  • AY2223: Teu Wei Jun Marcus 

  • AY2122: Ng Si Jie

  • AY2021: Nguyen Khanh Duy

HOO CHUEN PIEW BURSARY

The late Mr Hoo Chuen Piew was an ex-resident of RH and was one of the pioneer batches that moved from the Bukit Timah Campus to the Kent Ridge Campus sometime in 1984/85.

In honour of his name and memory, various friends from RH and NUS Architecture, as well as colleagues from DP Architects Pte. Ltd. came together to establish the Hoo Chuen Piew Bursary.

Having joined the firm in the 1990s, he eventually became Director of the branch office in Malaysia, being posted to KL and Dubai under key executive positions. Mr Hoo was dedicated to his work, and embodied the belief that collective strength is more important than individual talent. With this influence, the next generation of leaders at DP Architects Pte. Ltd. - Francis Lee, Ti Lian Seng, Vikas Gore, Wu Tzu Chiang and Teoh Hai Pin and later Chin Thoe Chong, Angelene Chan, Lesley Lim and Dadi Surya – continues to practise a shared design approach aimed at enriching the lives and experiences of people.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Loh Wern She

  • AY2223: Lim Si Tong 

KWAN KAI CHEONG BURSARY

Mr Kwan Kai Cheong is President of business consultancy firm Morrison & Co Ltd and Chairman for Utopa Ltd. Having graduated from the University of Singapore in 1973 with a Bachelor of Accountancy Honours, he sits on the board of 7 other listed companies. He is also a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Keenly interested in supporting young talent, Mr Kwan sits on the board of schools, and runs a private programme of aid for university scholarships in Shaoguan, China.

Coming from a poor and difficult childhood, his family was bereft and was unable to pay even his primary school fees. A chance scholarship from Singapore enabled him to rise above the poverty trap and become the man that he is today.

In Raffles Hall, he joined Raffles-Eusoff Voluntary Corps to do charity work, visiting welfare homes for children and organising parties and outings for them. He was also Honorary Auditor for USSU, Students Union, and RH.

After his late wife's death in 2008, he has sponsored more than 150 students in rural area of Shaoguan in northern Guangdong to attend universities in his Shaoguan Study Aid programme, in hopes that they will pay it forward one day.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Cheah Chen Xuan

  • AY2223: Chong Chuan Yi

LEE SONG LIN BURSARY

Mr Lee graduated in 1974 in Mechanical Engineering. Coming from a humble back-ground, he received a Merit Scholarship from the State, without which, a University education would not have been possible.

To Mr Lee, when one is from a less privileged family background, the biggest lift in life is to receive a financial support at a time when he/she most needed it. Mr Lee wishes that his contribution can make a difference in the life of the recipient.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Kendrew Reinhart Sidharta

  • AY2223: Yong Zhong Rong 

  • AY2122: Er Jia Ying

  • AY2021: Ng Si Jie

LEE SOO ANN BURSARY

Dr Lee Soo Ann was Master of Raffles Hall from 1970 to 1973. Then, it was the first department which he headed in NUS. Raffles Hall holds dearly in his heart and this gift was an appreciation of his wonderful time as Hall Master.

As an educator, Dr Lee would like the recipients of this sub-named bursary to be independent thinkers and lovers of truth.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Lim Jun Xuan

  • AY2223: Lee Keng Tze 

  • AY2122: Tai Kah Kiang
  • AY2021: Lim Xin Yun

LIM HENG JOON MEMORIAL BURSARY

The Lim Heng Joon Memorial Bursary was established by Ms Rebecca Ng, in loving memory of her mother for her eagerness to bring love and joy to people around her. Mdm Lim was a teacher at a small kindergarten in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, who understood the significance of a good education in shaping futures and improving lives. In the hopes of honouring her commitment to and passion for tutelage, Rebecca decided to support students pursuing higher education in NUS.

Currently the CEO of Globalwide International Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Air Water Inc Japan, Rebecca was an ASEAN scholar who stayed at Raffles Hall from 1985 to 1988. She had many fond memories with amazing peers who stayed on with her through life both socially and professionally. It was an incredible period of personal growth and development for her, and she hopes the gift will similarly benefit the young people at RH today in the same manner.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Muhammad Afi B Hussain

  • AY2223: Chong Chin Herng

MR AND MRS JOSEPH LIOW BURSARY

Mr Joseph Liow is an alumni of Raffles Hall (1988 to 1992) when he pursued his law degree. Highly active in hall activities, he was Freshman of the Year of 1988, (aka Freshie King), top freshman with most number of ECA points in Raffles Hall, and a member of the Raffles Hall Orientation Committee 1989, JCRC (Culture Secretary 1989-1990), Raffles Hall volleyball team, welfare team, dance and drama team.

Mr Liow was called as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1993. He is a trial lawyer and the Deputy Managing Director of Straits Law Practice LLC. An active member of the Law Society of Singapore, he is the present Vice-Chair of its Advocacy Committee, an arbitrator and mediator. An active volunteer of its Criminal Legal Aid Scheme ("CLAS"), Mr Liow has previously served as the Vice-Chairperson the CLAS Committee. He has over the years chaired many charity golf tournaments and raised funds for the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, the Lions Club movement, and the Raffles Hall Bursary Fund as part of Raffles Hall 60th Anniversary Celebration. He is married to Chan Lai Foong.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Quek Yi Hui

  • AY2223: Teo Yee Hui 

PIONEERS OF RH BURSARY

This bursary is made possible through the generosity of those who have stayed in Raffles Hall in the 1960s and 1970s. When the call came to set up a bursary fund for the less privileged residents of the hall, these 29 alumni came together to setup this sub-named bursary. The donors of this sub named bursary were among the first batches of residents (pioneers) in the hall. The spirit of Raffles Hall embodies excellence and unity which carries on till today and it is the hope of the donors that the recipient(s) of this bursary epitomizes them.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Roy Ang Wei Heng

  • AY2223: Tan Si Yi 

  • AY2122: Tan Jun He

  • AY2021: Lew Hui Ying

POH MUI LENG BURSARY

The late Madam Poh Mui Leng was born and raised in Singapore. She studied from 1970 to 1973 at the University of Singapore in the Accountancy Department where she met Mr Kwan Kai Cheong, a Hongkonger who studied in the same Department and a Raffles Hall resident at the time. After marrying in 1974, she followed her husband to Hong Kong in 1975. After working for 4 years, she stopped work to give her family the fullest of care and attention. Madam  Poh  Mui  Leng  passed  away  in 2008  and  was  survived  by  her  husband  and three  sons, Alex,  Philip  and  Patrick. She is fondly remembered as the most loyal and   loving wife and most caring and loving mother.

She displayed the wisdom of an  independent  woman  who  placed  the  highest  level of  importance on  her  family rather than her own career. Her family is her career!

This bursary is made possible through the generosity of Mr Kwan Kai Cheong, husband of the late Madam Poh Mui Leng. 

Awardees

  • AY2324: Tan Jun Kiat

  • AY2223: Park Chaeseong

  • AY2122: Lim Yuan Bing

  • AY2021: Jennifer 

QUANTEDGE FOUNDATION BURSARY 

Quantedge Foundation (Singapore) Ltd, is a philanthropic foundation set up in August 2015, and is registered as a Charity and Institution of Public Character in Singapore.

The Foundation is affiliated to Quantedge, an alternative investment asset manager with office in Singapore and New York. Founded by Mr Leow Kah Shin, University of California Berkeley alumnus and former employee of Max Capital (now known as Alterra Capital Holdings) together with Mr Chua Choong Tze, who holds a PhD in statistics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, Quantedge currently manages over US$1 billion in assets.

The Quantedge Foundation aims to deliver impactful solutions to social problems and challenges in Singapore by focusing on areas where it can achieve the largest amount of social good per dollar spent, such as the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the relief of those in needy by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantages.

The Quantedge Foundation Bursary hopes to help needy NUS students who are unable to obtain sufficient government assistance.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Siti Nur Diyana Bte Muhamed N

  • AY2223: Quek Yi Hui 

RAFFLES HALL ALUMNI BURSARY ENDOWED FUND

Raffles Hall is a hall steeped in history since it was founded in 1958. Alumni engagements of the Hall is strong and many of them still feel a sense of belonging to the Hall. With this, they have come together to establish the Raffles Hall Alumni Bursary Endowed Fund to support needy Rafflesians with their education.

Awardees

  • AY2324: 

    Pook Jun Hao Travis

    Wen Wei'en

    Lim Si Tong

    Ng Kai Ting Chloe

    Toh Shee Theng

    Lui Zhong Han

    Goh Ang Yee

    Chong Chuan Yi

    Velayutham Karthikeyan

    Tan Le Xuan, Lerine

    Lee Keng Tze

    Leong Jin Yuan

    Lim Hong Xuan, Ryann

    Aleena Lim

    Myra Lim Li Xuan

    Kong Jin Yu

    Nguyen Thanh Tam

    Kang Yingying

    Tan Mei Wen

    Tan Si Yi

    Evan Lim Shouwang

    Teo Yee Hui

    Ravindran Dinanjanan

    Ukkasyah

  • AY2223: 

    Ines Pang Xuan Qi

    Yanni Gan

    Muhammad Afi B Hussain

    Tang Ching Xian

    Leong Jin Yuan

    Chow Yip Hern

    Ryan Chow Yi Feng

    Myra Lim Li Xuan

RAFFLES PRIZE AND PHOENIX PRIZE

A Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court, Mohamed Faizal graduated from NUS Law in 2005. He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2016 and received the Berita Harian Anugerah Jauhari 2020 (the Achiever of the Year Award), and the President’s Volunteerism and Philanthropy Award, amongst many other recognitions.

RH formed an important part of his life as an undergraduate, which propelled him to create the Raffles Prize and Phoenix Prize to support deserving students at RH.

Awardees

  • Phoenix Prize 2024: Lau Kai Chong

  • Raffles Prize 2024: Cheng Wentuo

  • Phoenix/Raffles Prize 2023: Mohammad Afiq Ihsan Bin Mohammad Hussien

  • Raffles Prize 2022: Shirlene Tan Zhi Hui

  • Phoenix Prize 2022: Muhammad Danish Bin Muhamad Shaifful Bahri

SARASVATHY KANAGASABAI BURSARY

The late Madam Sarasvathy Kanagasabai was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Having lost her parents at a fairly young age, she was raised by her relatives in pre-war Malaya.

Education and career opportunities were limited for women of her generation.

Nonetheless, she firmly believed in opportunities for education for all, regardless of race, gender or station in life. She valued hard work, enterprise, adventure, risk-taking, duty and integrity, qualities which she sought to inculcate in all her seven children.    

This bursary is a small tribute to those qualities that she   espoused and embodied, and to her free spirit, her sense of humour, and, above all, to the memory of a beloved mother.  This bursary is made possible through the generosity of Mr Mohanadass Kanagasabai, son of the late Madam Sarasvathy Kanagasabai.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Teu Wei Jun Marcus

  • AY2223: Muhammad Shalihin Bin Faizal 

  • AY2122: Teu Wei Jun Marcus
  • AY2021: Sim Wei Jun Aaron

SCRC BURSARY

This bursary is made possible through the generosity of past and present members of the Senior Common Room Committee of Raffles Hall.          

The Senior  Common  Room  Committee  (SCRC)  comprises  academic  or executive and professorial staff who  reside  together  with  Rafflesians. The committee is made up of resident fellows (RFs) from each of the five blocks in Raffles and led by the Master of the Hall.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Tan Xuan You

  • AY2223: Tan Jun Kiat 

  • AY2122: Sin Qi Zheng

  • AY2021: Tan Qi Sheng, Keith 

SPIRIT OF THE 80s BURSARY

This bursary is made possible through the generosity of those who stayed in Raffles Hall in the 1980s. When the call came to set up a bursary fund for the less privileged residents of the hall, these 32 alumni of the 1980s came together to set up this sub-named bursary. The donors of this bursary hope that the recipient(s) will continue to the traditions of the hall and be champions for the Raffles Hall spirit.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Khoo Shi Xian & Yong Zhong Rong

  • AY2223: Joshea Koh Zuo Hao & Lim Wen Feng 

  • AY2122: Ang Zhi Jun & Sim Wei Jun Aaron
  • AY2021: Tai Kah Kiang & Pae Marcuz

STEVEN TAN BURSARY

This bursary is made possible through the generosity of those who have known and interacted with Mr Steven Tan in Raffles Hall.   This bursary is in recognition of Raffles Hall’s first hall manager, Mr Steven Tan. Mr Tan served the hall from its commissioning in 1958 at Nassim Road and when it moved  to  its  present  Kent  Ridge  location  in  1983. He continued serving until his retirement in 2000. His warmth, patience, resourcefulness and hospitality is appreciated and remembered by all who lived in the hall.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Yanni Gan

  • AY2223: Toh Zhiao Wei & Shirlene Tan Zhi Hui 

  • AY2122: Kelly Tan Yu Tong

  • AY2021: Su Yee Shien

TSAI HENG EEN BURSARY

The donor, Mr Simon Heng Een Tsai is the Chairman and Founder of Kensteel Group of Companies. He started Kensteel industries Pte Ltd. to manufacture and provide cable trays and ladders for the Petrolchemical, Global Marine and Offshore industries.

Mr Tsai’s wish is to help those students who are intelligent and self-motivated, but need support in terms of their financial needs. Fulfilling their financial needs allows them to focus on excelling in their studies, and be one step closer to achieving their individual aspirations.

Awardees

  • AY2324: Chin Hui Qi Cadence

  • AY2223: Su Yee Shien 

  • AY2122: Chong Chuan Yi
  • AY2021: Siti Nur Diyana Bte Muhamed N