Leading with purpose
Both accomplished business leaders with a big heart for education, NTU alumni Dr Wu Chiaw Ching and Mr Thomas Chua exemplify the spirit of giving back to the community.
Text: Christine Teh
Success alone doesn’t define them. For Dr Wu Chiaw Ching and Mr Thomas Chua, two alumni of Nanyang University, the true measure of achievement lies in giving back – through supporting education, preserving cultural heritage and shaping the next generation of leaders.
Dr Wu, proprietor-auditor of Wu Chiaw Ching & Company, is committed to his Teochew roots, leading both the Teochew Federation (Singapore) and The Ngee Ann Kongsi, a nonprofit philanthropic organisation.
“Education is important to the Chinese community,” says Dr Wu, one of this year’s Nanyang Alumni Achievement Award recipients. “One of our key focus areas is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is an important cultural treasure.”
That belief inspired action. In December 2024, The Ngee Ann Kongsi made a transformative S$12.5 million gift to NTU to support its Bachelor of Chinese Medicine programme, funding scholarships and bursaries, and enriching practical learning.
“As TCM continues to evolve, there is still much to learn,” he says. “The gift aims to nurture the next generation of practitioners, raise their professional standing, and strengthen TCM’s role in Singapore’s healthcare system.”
Dr Wu (third from left) representing The Ngee Ann Kongsi when it pledged a gift of S$12.5 million to NTU to enhance its Bachelor of Chinese Medicine degree programme.
Beyond this, The Ngee Ann Kongsi has been a steadfast supporter of NTU’s Resilience Bursary Fund, which provides critical financial aid to students facing hardship.
For Mr Chua, heritage and education form the twin pillars of the Hokkien community in Singapore.
The 2019 Nanyang Distinguished Alumni Award recipient chairs the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (SHHK) while managing Teckwah Industrial Corporation Ltd, his family’s business in supply chain and printing solutions.
Founded in 1840, SHHK has long been a cornerstone of the local Chinese community, helping early immigrants, fostering social bonds and playing a key role in establishing Nanyang University.
Mr Chua (right), President of SHHK, with NTU President Prof Ho Teck Hua at the clan association's recent gala dinner.
When the clan association marked its 185th anniversary this year, Mr Chua led a celebration anchored not in grandeur but in giving, including a landmark donation to NTU for education.
The gift of S$1.25 million for the Accessible Education Support Fund and another S$600,000 to support research on Chinese dialect heritage reflect a commitment to both inclusive learning and the preservation of cultural knowledge.
“We firmly believe that education lays the foundation for the future, and culture is the thread that weaves together our shared identity. As we celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday and SHHK’s 185th anniversary, we will continue to do our part for nation building by serving the community and nurturing future generations,” says Mr Chua.
SHHK held its 185th Anniversary Charity Run and Walk at NTU in May.
This article first appeared in issue 7 of U, the NTU alumni magazine.
