Chua Thian Poh firmly believes that education can open doors for today’s youth as they grow and develop into the leaders of tomorrow, not just in business, but also in community leadership. He aims to nurture tomorrow’s change makers who are driven by a calling to mobilise the community to collectively solve social problems.
Impacting the community through philanthropy:
Thian Poh has generously given to education in Singapore. He is Chairman and CEO of Ho Bee Investment Ltd, which gave $3 million to the Singapore Management University (SMU) to establish a Ho Bee Professorship in Chinese Economy and Business in 2008. With Thian Poh’s active involvement in the Chinese clans and in Business China, it is apt that the Professorship provides the opportunity to advance education and research in the area of Chinese entrepreneurship and business within the larger context of the Chinese economy.
In his personal capacity, Thian Poh donated $5 million to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to establish the Chua Thian Poh Entrepreneurship Fund. The fund will help NTU expand into an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation for both undergraduate and graduate education, which will in turn strengthen Singapore’s economic resilience and dynamism.
In 2011, Thian Poh established the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme at National University of Singapore (NUS) University Town (UTown) with a gift of $5 million. The programme aims to develop Singapore’s next generation of community leaders, who will be intellectually engaged with social and community issues, and are also passionate about addressing social and community challenges in Singapore. He said, “It is important to expose students to critical social and community issues so that they will be able to learn the best practices in community development. We hope that through this programme, we will be able to groom many outstanding community leaders who would make meaningful contributions to society.”
Thanks to Thian Poh’s gift, undergraduates from NUS’s various faculties and schools will be admitted annually to the leadership programme. They will take part in learning modules, research projects, attachments with social service organisations, talks and workshops relating to social issues and the topic of community leadership.
Inspiration and role model:
Actively involved in the community and social services, Thian Poh serves on the boards of several companies and community organisations. He is the President of Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, Board Chairman of Business China, Honorary President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chairman of Ren Ci Hospital and Chairman of Bishan East Citizens’ Consultative Committee. He is also Chairman of Board of Trustees, Chinese Development Assistance Council.
Throughout the years, Thian Poh has contributed generously in many community projects including donations to social, welfare, education and charity organisations.
Thian Poh has been recognised for his contributions to society. In August 2004, he was conferred the Public Service Star (BBM) by President S R Nathan. In 2005, Thian Poh was appointed Justice of the Peace.
In 2012, the President’s Award for Philanthropy honoured Thian Poh for directing much-needed funding not just to university education in general, but also for recognising the importance of leadership and investing to nurture the next generation of community leaders.
By NVPC
