When someone shares with you something of value, you have an obligation to share it with others.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Peter Lim gives $2m for Hwa Chong scholarship
Former remisier Peter Lim has donated $2 million to Hwa Chong International School’s (HCIS) scholarship fund, one of the largest donations he has made to a school so far.
Former remisier Peter Lim has donated $2 million to Hwa Chong International School’s (HCIS) scholarship fund, one of the largest donations he has made to a school so far.
Mr. Lim, 58, whose teenage daughter has been studying in the school since the middle of last year, had told the school he liked the ‘attitude change’ in her since she enrolled because she has become more enthusiastic in her studies.
Another reason for the donation was his desire to help students from humble backgrounds who want to get an international school education but do not have the means to do so, said the billionaire-investor who rose from humble beginnings, helping his father run a fishmonger’s stall in Bukit Ho Swee.
Mr. Lim, who went on to study at Raffles Institution and the University of Western Australia, where he obtained a degree in accounting and finance, added: ‘I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of a good education to transform people and society.’
Mr. Lim made his fortune through several shrewd investments in the stock market in the 90s.
The school has awarded two Malaysian students with the HCIS Peter Lim Scholarship worth up to $47,000 to cover a year’s tuition fee and boarding expenses.
Principal Bob Koh said he hopes the scholarship will motivate current students to work hard as well as attract top students who may not have the means to pay the school fees.
HCIS is one of three privately-funded international schools under the Education Ministry. It follows the bilingual education policy but has the autonomy to design its curriculum and set fees. Half of its 500 students are Singaporean. All students take the International Baccalaureate diploma examinations.
The scholarship, which is open to all students, looks for those who are academically strong, with exemplary conduct. Above all, they should come from a humble family background - a condition stipulated by Mr. Lim.
One of the recipients is Yap Pui Yee, 17, a Secondary 4 student who aspires to be an engineer. She said the scholarship would be a big financial relief to her mother, who sells beauty products in Kuala Lumpur. Her father died in an accident when she was seven.
The other recipient, Tiong Yee Eng, 17, also a Malaysian, is the youngest in a family of four siblings. Her family lives in Brunei - her father is a salesman and mother a housewife.
Yee Eng, who scored eight A*s and two Bs in the GCE O levels taken at the Chung Hwa Middle School in Brunei, said she would not be able to afford to study at HCIS if not for the scholarship.
This is not the billionaire’s first contribution to a school. He donated $5 million to his alma mater Raffles Institution in January and $1 million to Northlight School in 2009, to be given over four years.
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Peter Lim gives $2m for Hwa Chong scholarship
By Jane Ng
25 March 2011
Former remisier Peter Lim has donated $2 million to Hwa Chong International School’s (HCIS) scholarship fund, one of the largest donations he has made to a school so far.
Mr. Lim, 58, whose teenage daughter has been studying in the school since the middle of last year, had told the school he liked the ‘attitude change’ in her since she enrolled because she has become more enthusiastic in her studies.
Another reason for the donation was his desire to help students from humble backgrounds who want to get an international school education but do not have the means to do so, said the billionaire-investor who rose from humble beginnings, helping his father run a fishmonger’s stall in Bukit Ho Swee.
Mr. Lim, who went on to study at Raffles Institution and the University of Western Australia, where he obtained a degree in accounting and finance, added: ‘I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of a good education to transform people and society.’
Mr. Lim made his fortune through several shrewd investments in the stock market in the 90s.
The school has awarded two Malaysian students with the HCIS Peter Lim Scholarship worth up to $47,000 to cover a year’s tuition fee and boarding expenses.
Principal Bob Koh said he hopes the scholarship will motivate current students to work hard as well as attract top students who may not have the means to pay the school fees.
HCIS is one of three privately-funded international schools under the Education Ministry. It follows the bilingual education policy but has the autonomy to design its curriculum and set fees. Half of its 500 students are Singaporean. All students take the International Baccalaureate diploma examinations.
The scholarship, which is open to all students, looks for those who are academically strong, with exemplary conduct. Above all, they should come from a humble family background - a condition stipulated by Mr. Lim.
One of the recipients is Yap Pui Yee, 17, a Secondary 4 student who aspires to be an engineer. She said the scholarship would be a big financial relief to her mother, who sells beauty products in Kuala Lumpur. Her father died in an accident when she was seven.
The other recipient, Tiong Yee Eng, 17, also a Malaysian, is the youngest in a family of four siblings. Her family lives in Brunei - her father is a salesman and mother a housewife.
Yee Eng, who scored eight A*s and two Bs in the GCE O levels taken at the Chung Hwa Middle School in Brunei, said she would not be able to afford to study at HCIS if not for the scholarship.
This is not the billionaire’s first contribution to a school. He donated $5 million to his alma mater Raffles Institution in January and $1 million to Northlight School in 2009, to be given over four years.
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