Celebrating Love and Generosity

February 15, 2023

IN BRIEF | 15 min read

NUS alumni couples and donors raise over S$357,000 for financially-challenged NUS students.

From left: Mr Yeo Keng Joon (Business ‘85), Member, NUS Alumni Student Advancement Committee; Mr Bernard Toh (Architecture ‘84), Director, NUS Alumni Relations; Mr Seah Cheng San (Engineering '82), Chairman, NUS Alumni Student Advancement Committee; Ms Akanksha Batura Pai (Business ‘14), Chairperson, NUS Campus Couples Alumni Group; and Ms See E’Jin, Director (Faculty Management & Value Proposition), NUS Development Office presenting the cheque to NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ‘85) (third from right).

In line with Valentine's Day, the NUS Campus Couples Alumni hosted more than 200 alumni couples and donors at its annual Celebration of Love and Giving Dinner in appreciation of their efforts to support financially-challenged NUS students.

This year, alumni couples raised a total of S$357,665 for the NUS Campus Couples Bursary Fund and other bursaries. Over S$816,000 has been raised since the NUS Campus Couples Bursary’s inception in 2015, benefitting 127 financially disadvantaged NUS students.

Held at the National University of Singapore Society Kent Ridge Guild House on 10 February 2023, the event brought together a community of campus couples from various generations to celebrate love and generosity. The heart-warming celebration was also a meaningful occasion to acknowledge and thank the donors who help raise funds for underprivileged students in NUS.

**Guests at the NUS Campus Couples Alumni’s annual Celebration of Love and Giving Dinner taking part in a game on stage.**

Supported by the Alumni Student Advancement Committee, NUS Office of Alumni Relations and NUS Development Office, the event saw a lively turnout as alumni cheerfully reconnected with each other – some for the first time in person in three years.

Guests were treated to a romantic musical performance by the NUS Jazz Band during the dinner. The night continued with a heartfelt recognition of the donors' generosity, concluding with a cheque presentation to NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85).

Ms Khalijah Masud (Science ’92) and Mr Aznan Ghazali (Arts ’92, Economics and Malay Studies) said they were grateful for the chance to be able to give back to their alma mater. “Reflecting on our blessed life (and) giving back commemorates the remarkable time we had in NUS and specifically in Sheares Hall. At this point in our lives, it's also important for us to leave a legacy and set an example for our children,” said Ms Khalijah.

**Mr Yeo (extreme left) and Prof Tan (extreme right) presenting a plaque to Mr Wong Jin Kok (Engineering ‘85) and Ms Jessica Leong (Arts ‘85) for their generosity.**

Ms Jessica Leong (Arts ’85) shared that she and her husband, Mr Wong Jin Kok (Engineering ’85), were keen to contribute as education held a special place in her husband’s heart.

Their first gifts to NUS were made in honour of their parents, particularly Mr Wong’s father who was a school headmaster and set an example by supporting the education of relatives and close friends in need. The Sheares Hall couple said they understood the financial struggles faced by some undergraduates and hoped to “make it easier for current students in need”.

The NUS Campus Couples Bursary Fund was initiated by Mr Yeo Keng Joon, who met his wife, Madam Kong Yuet Peng (Business ’86), when they were pursuing their MBA degrees at NUS Business School. The pair had established the bursary as a way to give back to the NUS community after receiving financial assistance with their education.

This story first appeared on NUSnews on 14 February 2023.