Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has received a gift of S$20 million from the Toh Kian Chui Foundation to the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine). With matching funds from the Singapore government, the total endowment for LKCMedicine - a partnership between NTU and Imperial College London - may go up to S$50 million. The gift will go towards setting up an endowment to fund, in perpetuity, a Distinguished Professorship, a Gold Medal student award, scholarships, research and education.
In recognition of the gift, the upcoming three-storey Annex at LKCMedicine's headquarters building at 11 Mandalay will be named after Mr Toh Kian Chui, a respected philanthropist and well-known businessman in the construction industry. To be completed by mid-2013, the distinctive glass building will house a variety of teaching and learning facilities, including a lecture theatre, a seminar room, and an interim library, among others.
The Toh Kian Chui Distinguished Professorship aims to attract world-renowned clinicians and scientists who can make impactful contributions to mentoring and research that will help propel the School to the forefront of medical education and research internationally.
In addition to the Professorship, NTU announced the creation of the Toh Kian Chui Scholarship and Gold Medal. Up to 25 scholarships could be awarded to deserving medical students to fully cover their prevailing tuition fees and living and book allowances annually. The Toh Kian Chui Gold Medal, which comes with a cash award worth up to S$10,000, will be given to the top performing medical student from each cohort. An endowment of S$10 million has also been set aside to support medical education and research initiatives at the School.
Lauding the Foundation's contribution, NTU President, Professor Bertil Anderson, said, "NTU is deeply privileged to receive this wonderful gift from the Toh Kian Chui Foundation. This endowment will go a long way in helping deserving and bright young Singaporeans achieve their dream of getting a quality medical education at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. The gift will also enable NTU to attract top talents to play a leading role in the medical school and take Singapore's medical education and research to greater heights. The endowment will support vital research activities that will not only improve the lives of Singaporeans, but also redefine the future of medicine and healthcare as we know it today."