Lighting the path for others

Text: Sadia Roohi and Christine Teh

Dr Wee Cho Yaw chaired the Council of Nanyang University and was appointed Pro-Chancellor of NTU in 2004. (Photo: UOB)

NTU alumnus Ong Meng Kiat could not have afforded a semester on exchange in Germany if not for the generosity of the late NTU Pro-Chancellor Dr Wee Cho Yaw. 

"The exchange programme broadened my perspectives and understanding of global business practices and paved the way for internships at reputable companies," said the recent accountancy graduate, who has embarked on a career as a Commercial Affairs Officer in the Singapore Police Force. 

Meng Kiat is just one of 82 NTU students who have received the Wee Cho Yaw Future Leaders Award, a scholarship programme that levels the playing field for tertiary students from less privileged backgrounds, since it was launched in 2016.

Another Wee Cho Yaw Future Leaders Award recipient y is Mohammed Muaz bin Abdul Aziz, a first-year student at the NTU’s School of Art, Design, and Media, who aspires to become a product designer to create innovative and impactful designs.

Muaz took an educational pathway different from most of his university peers. He graduated from the Institute of Technical Education and Nanyang Polytechnic before enrolling in a degree programme. 

He hopes to inspire others who are late bloomers in their academic journey. "It felt distant and out of reach to enter university, but with hard work, perseverance, and the support of scholarship, I have turned this dream into reality," he shared.

Student recipients of the Wee Cho Yaw Future Leaders Awards with UOB and NTU representatives. Mohammed Muaz bin Abdul Aziz is at the back row, first from right.

A patron of education

Many know Dr Wee, who passed away on 3 February 2024 at the age of 95, as a legendary banker, but he has also left an enduring mark on education. 

Dr Wee was a towering figure in the banking industry, an accomplished entrepreneur, and a dedicated community leader. As Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Adviser of United Overseas Bank (UOB), one of Asia's largest banks, he made significant contributions to the fields of education, philanthropy, and community service.

His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the NTU community.

Dr Wee’s long-standing relationship with NTU began when he was Chairman of the Council of Nanyang University from 1970 to 1980. Dr Wee played a pivotal role in modernising the institution and overseeing its merger with the former University of Singapore to form the National University of Singapore.

He was appointed Pro-Chancellor of NTU in 2004 and was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University in 2014 for his distinguished contributions to NTU and the community.

The philanthropist

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr Wee was known for his philanthropic endeavours and dedication to education and community service.

Over the years, he, along with the Wee Foundation and UOB, donated S$16 million to NTU. His philanthropic gifts have been instrumental in advancing education and research, providing financial assistance to students in need, and grooming future leaders.

Among his many contributions were the establishment of the Wee Cho Yaw Future Leaders Award, Wee Foundation Bursary Fund, and the Wee Cho Yaw Master of Science (Finance) Scholarship Fund at the Nanyang Business School.

Under Dr Wee’s leadership at UOB, NTU has also established the UOB Professorship in Banking with a gift of S$1.5 million from UOB in 1995 to appoint internationally renowned scholars in banking and finance to the Nanyang Business School. There are also United Overseas Bank Gold Medals and United Overseas Bank Book Prizes to spur the outstanding graduates of each cohort to realise their fullest potential.

Four decades of committed service to education

Photo: Pictorial History of Nantah, published by Chinese Heritage Centre	In 1972, Dr Wee hosted Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the Nanyang University campus. He was also the Chairman of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan from 1972 to 2010.
Dr Wee (left), then Chair of the Nanyang University Council, with Dr Lee Chiaw Meng, then Minister for Education and Nanyang University Vice Chancellor, at the 16th Annual Nanyang University’s Graduation Ceremony on 6 July 1975.	Photo: Pictorial History of Nantah, published by Chinese Heritage Centre
	Dr Wee presented a cheque of S$1.5 million – a donation from UOB to NTU – for the establishment of the UOB Professorship in Banking in 1995.
Dr Wee was appointed Pro-Chancellor of NTU in 2004. Ma Ran (MSc TIP/2010) remembers Dr Wee fondly. He said: “When presenting the degree scrolls, Dr Wee greeted every student and smiled broadly. He has set an excellent example for all NTU alumni, and inspires us to work hard and give back to society.”	Photo: Ma Ran
	For his distinguished contributions to NTU and the community, Dr Wee was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University in 2014.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr Wee Cho Yaw

	An academic in accountancy theories, Prof Tan Hun Tong from the Nanyang Business School has been appointed the UOB Professor in Banking since 2005. “I am grateful for the support of the professorship, enabling me to conduct impactful research which led to my achievement of ABO Notable (Lifetime) Contribution Award in behavioural accounting conferred by the American Accounting Association in 2021. I strive to contribute to accountancy’s body of knowledge in my capacity as the editor-in-chief of ‘Accounting, Organizations and Society’ journal.”
Colleen Soh, a third-year student recipient of the Wee Foundation Bursary from the School of Humanities, is working towards a career in early childhood education when she graduates. “With me and my brother attending university at the same time, the financial burden on my family was significant. Receiving the bursary gave me the opportunity to cut down on part-time work and attend more school activities instead of worrying about finances. The school activities not only enhanced my academic life but also contributed to my personal growth.”	Photo: Colleen Soh
Photo: Jerome Lee	Jerome Lee enrolled in NTU in 2020, and in 2021, he applied for the Wee Foundation Bursary after the passing of his father, who was the family's breadwinner. “Receiving the bursary instilled a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude in me. I am more motivated to excel academically as I know that there are people who believe in my potential and are willing to support my educational journey. This has driven me to set higher goals and work diligently towards them.”

 

This article first appeared in issue 5 of U, the NTU alumni magazine.