Speech by Prof Ho Teck Hua, President and Distinguished University Professor, at the Gift Signing Ceremony with Paeonia Foundation

 

Professor Ho Teck Hua

President and Distinguished University Professor

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

 

Gift Signing Ceremony with Paeonia Foundation Ltd

Thursday, 1 February 2024, 9.00am

Nanyang Lake Pavilion

Ms Alice Hung, Founder of the Paeonia Group,

Ms Goh Swee Chen, Board Chair of NTU,

Dr Lee Shiang Long, Board Member of NTU

Mr Andy Chua, Managing Director of the Paeonia Group,

Penn Alumni,

Distinguished guests,

NTU colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

We are here to celebrate a very special occasion. The Paeonia Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Paeonia Group, is making a S$5-million-dollar gift to NTU. This is the most significant gift from the foundation. NTU is very honoured to be the recipient.

I have already known Alice for a year or two. Alice is a very good investor, so she has good eyes for good projects. The fact that she has given a gift to NTU means that NTU is in good shape.

Coming back to what the gift is for, Alice is deeply committed to scientific discovery. Among all the board members I have, she is the one who asks me technical questions about technology. I wondered why, as she is, after all, an investor. But I think that it is in her blood - her father, 洪德炎, was a physicist, and her mother, 杨安钦, was a chemist.

Alice also understands that talent is the key to scientific advancement. It is all about talent in the university. Therefore, part of the gift will be used to establish the Alice Y. Hung Professorship in Science and Technology. NTU will use the professorship to attract the best scholars in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, and materials science. This is a very important tool for us to attract the best talents.

Alice will always push me to do more collaborations with the University of Pennsylvania. Global collaboration is what most universities should be doing, including NTU. Therefore, the other part of the gift will be used to forge collaborations between NTU and the University of Pennsylvania. The programme will include a leadership development programme and research collaborations in engineering and medicine. This is very meaningful to Alice and me because both of us are alumni of the University of Pennsylvania.

This gift highlights the positive impact that family offices can have on the greater community. I want to give her a new title – the brand ambassador of NTU. Given how persuasive she is, I am optimistic that many will follow her example, amplifying the impact of her gift to NTU even further.

Finally, I would like to thank E’jin and her team for putting this ceremony together and thank you all for coming.