The campaign has reached its target early, transforming teaching, research and learning through new global initiatives, scholarships and bursaries.

The 21st Century Fund, launched in June 2001, met its target at the end of 2006 as a result of tremendous support from the community, including corporations, foundations and individuals. The $200m raised includes a dollar-for-dollar matching grant from the government.

"The addition of this amount to our endowment fund provides $8m each year to fund university programmes, outstanding faculty and student financial assistance. This is a significant achievement indeed," said NTU President Dr Su Guaning at an appreciation gala held on 13 March to commemorate the milestone.

During the 21st Century Fund campaign, NTU set up more than 40 scholarships and bursary funds, more than 60 awards of excellence, eight professorships, and 16 funds for campus initiatives.

At the dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore President Mr S R Nathan, Chancellor of NTU and Patron-in-Chief of the 21st Century Fund, presented tokens of appreciation to donors who had contributed more than $1m each. The distinguished benefactors include the Singapore Totalisator Board, Lee Foundation, Lien Foundation, Lee Hiok Kee (Pte) Ltd, Mr Ng Bok Eng, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Mr Ong Tiong Tat, Trustee of the Estate of Koh Choon Joo, Toh Kian Chui Foundation, Ngee Ann Kongsi, Yang Amat Berhormat Toh Puan Mahani Idris, The Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, Tanoto Foundation and Kim Seng Holdings Pte Ltd.

Building a "Multi-cultural Research University of the first rank"
Addressing distinguished guests and students at the gala, Dr Su announced the completion of the 21st Century Fund campaign and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the benefactors and fundraising committee. "As our partners, their donations enhance the quality of an NTU education," said Dr Su. "They fuel our mission to nurture creative and entrepreneurial leaders through a broad education in diverse disciplines."

He also shared how NTU is gearing up for the next stage of its growth, which entails addressing "the reform of undergraduate education, the revamp of the campus, the establishment of multi-cultural programmes reaching deep into China, India and Indonesia, and the renewal of faculty and facilities to create a Multi-cultural Research University of the first rank".

With these new demands on the NTU endowment fund since the inception of the 21st Century Fund campaign, a new fund-raising effort is being planned. "The endowment fund needs to grow not only to cater to the 40% larger university that we now have, but also to fund exciting new initiatives the university has embarked on," Dr Su explained.

NTU is grateful for the strong support from prominent figures for the 21st Century Fund. These ardent supporters include Mr Wee Cho Yaw, Pro-chancellor of NTU and Chairman of the Fund's Board of Advisors; and former Member of Parliament Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee.

In his speech, Mr Ch'ng said that the Fund had made a significant difference to the quality of education NTU offers, how it motivates talented students, the extent to which it helps the financially disadvantaged, and how it prepares students for the demands of the global marketplace.

He added that scholarships made possible by the generosity of donors have opened doors for the best and brightest. In addition, every bursary provided means that "one able student will have his financial worries lifted, and he or she can concentrate on being his or her best as a student".

"In fact, it is very heartening to note that our graduate students, many of whom have benefited from the generosity of our donors, are themselves giving back to their alma mater in increasing numbers," said Mr Ch'ng.

One who has given back is Nanyang Business School alumna Stefanie Sun, Singapore's best export and one of the region's top recording artistes. At the appreciation dinner, she paid a musical tribute to the donors on behalf of the university.

© Corporate Communications Office