- Tahir Foundation donates S$2 million to NUS and NTU to support Indonesian students through bursaries.
- Gift aims to nurture ASEAN talent, promote inclusive education, and strengthen Singapore-Indonesia ties.
- Dr Tahir, a celebrated alumnus, continues decades-long support for education and regional collaboration.
The Tahir Foundation, set up by Dato' Sri Professor Dr Tahir, Chairman of Mayapada Group, a prominent Indonesian philanthropist, has donated S$2 million to National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) towards Indonesian students at the two universities. The donation was made public during a ceremony at NUS.
S$1 million will be given to each of the universities for student bursaries, allowing more Indonesian students, irrespective of means, to take advantage of Singapore's world-class education and to continue the close people-to-people relations between Singapore and Indonesia.
The donation is part of a wider regional aspiration: developing future leaders, enhancing ASEAN's pool of talent, and increasing collaboration beyond borders. It also expresses the commitment of the universities to inclusive education and regional contribution.
Dato' Sri Professor Dr Tahir, Chairman of Mayapada Group declared: "I firmly believe that education is the foundation for elevating society and shaping our shared future. NUS and NTU, two of the top universities in the world, are in an excellent position to make a valuable impact in Singapore and globally. I would like this gift to allow Indonesian students to achieve their potential and motivate them to return to give back to society".
NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye explained: "Education is a transformative force that empowers individuals and uplifts communities, according to NUS. This donation will create new possibilities for more Indonesian students to acquire tertiary education in Singapore at the world's best institutions, and contribute to a more connected and resilient Southeast Asia region, by creating connections, familiarity and understanding between Indonesia's and Singapore's youths". We wish that this donation will encourage others to step forth as well to aid and develop the future generation of leaders in the region through education".
NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua added: "Dr Tahir's generosity captures his faith in the ability of education to overcome boundaries. It allows more high-achieving Indonesian students to pursue their dreams at NTU, which can provide access to life-altering experiences and opportunities to change not only individuals but also communities. The donation represents our common belief that education has an important part in building future-ready talent and in shaping a more integrated region".
Dr Tahir has been a long-time advocate of education as a force for social mobility. He was a scholarship student at Nanyang University, which merged with the University of Singapore in 1980 to become NUS. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce in 1976 and is a renowned alumnus of both NUS and NTU.
Over the past two decades, Dr Tahir has been a steadfast supporter of education, contributing to student bursaries and scholarships, as well as research and academic programmes in Singapore. In 2012, he made a landmark S$30 million gift to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, his largest philanthropic gift to an educational institution. The gift helped advance medical research and academic programmes.
Dr Tahir also supported major initiatives including the Tahir NTU-Universitas Airlangga Students Exchange Programme, which enhances educational relations between Singapore and Indonesia, and the NTU Priorities Fund. In 2021, Dr Tahir gave in aid of student bursaries, offering pecuniary support to worthy NTU students and allowing them to continue their studies with increased comfort.
Strategically located in the midst of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a regional hub for learning and cooperation. With its status as the nation's university and leading institution in Southeast Asia, NUS is a premier facilitator of research, innovation and international partnerships for the region.
Located in Singapore's innovation corridor, NTU is regularly ranked among the world's leading young universities and is acclaimed for its excellence in sustainability, engineering, and interdisciplinary research. The University is a key player in driving technological innovation, industry partnership and talent nurturing, supporting Southeast Asia's development and world competitiveness.
With this latest contribution from the Tahir Foundation, additional Indonesian students will be able to become part of the lively, cosmopolitan and intellectually vibrant communities at NUS and NTU. Not only will this define their professional and personal development, but also help foster greater regional understanding and cooperation establishing the foundation for a richer, more integrated Southeast Asia.
