SIT will name its University Tower the ‘Kwek Leng Beng University Tower’ in recognition of this endowed gift.

To commemorate the launch of his biography, Hong Leong Group Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng (centre) made an endowed gift of S$24 million to SIT. The donation was witnessed by Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong (extreme left). Also pictured (from left) are CDL Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Sherman Kwek, SIT President Professor Chua Kee Chaing and SIT Institute Professor Tan Thiam Soon. (Photo: Hong Leong Group Singapore)

Executive Chairman of listed global property giant City Developments Limited (CDL), Mr Kwek Leng Beng, together with CDL, has donated an endowed gift of S$24 million to the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).

In appreciation of Mr Kwek’s endowed gift, SIT will name its University Tower, which will house academic and administrative staff offices in its future campus in Punggol, the Kwek Leng Beng University Tower.

When operational in 2024, SIT's Punggol campus will be a key driver of the Punggol Digital District. Designed as a living lab that is seamlessly integrated with industry and community, the Punggol campus will enhance the authenticity of SITizens’ learning, redefine the student experience, as well as facilitate applied research.

The donation was made on 9 November 2023, at the launch of Mr Kwek’s biography, Strictly Business: The Kwek Leng Beng Story, with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong gracing the event. To mark the book project’s completion, Mr Kwek wanted to make a meaningful donation to society.

Mr Kwek said, “My passion for hospitality was ignited over five decades ago when I was tasked by my late father to develop the Group’s first hotel – King’s Hotel. Today, the Group has a global network of over 155 hotels, including eight properties we own or operate in Singapore. Through this SIT donation, I am privileged to play a part in building future generations of talents and professionals for Singapore, especially in hospitality. With CDL celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the timing of the endowed gift is even more meaningful.” The income generated from the endowment will be used to support students and academic initiatives.

(From left) Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, CDL Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Sherman Kwek, Hong Leong Group Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng, SIT President Professor Chua Kee Chaing and SIT Institute Professor Tan Thiam Soon viewing the prototype of the University Tower building. Named after Mr Kwek Leng Beng, the University Tower will be operational in 2024 at SIT’s Punggol campus.  (Photo: Hong Leong Group Singapore)

Earlier this year, Mr Kwek donated S$720,000 to SIT to start six new academic initiatives, including bursaries and scholarships for SIT Hospitality Business undergraduates.

Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President of SIT, said, “In recognition of this transformative gift, SIT is very pleased to name its University Tower after Mr Kwek Leng Beng. We deeply appreciate Mr Kwek’s philanthropic leadership since 2016, which has also made possible a range of scholarships, bursaries and prizes for SIT students. These include two scholarships, two bursaries, a gold medal and a book prize he established earlier this year for Hospitality Business undergraduate students at SIT. Mr Kwek’s farsighted philanthropy will nurture future generations of hospitality talents and raise the bar of excellence in the hospitality industry in the years to come.”

Support to SIT

Mr Kwek’s philanthropy has nurtured SIT students through the following:

• SIT Bursary
• Hong Leong Foundation Bursary
• Kwek Leng Beng Bursary
• Kwek Hong Png Bursary
• Kwek Leng Beng Hospitality Scholarship
• CDL Millennium & Copthorne Scholarship
• CDL Millennium & Copthorne Book Prize in Hospitality Investment and Asset Management
• CDL Millennium & Copthorne Gold Medal

Natasha Koh Hui En, a Year 1 Hospitality Business undergraduate, received the Kwek Leng Beng Hospitality Scholarship from Professor John Thong, Deputy President (Academic) and Provost, SIT. The Kwek Leng Beng Hospitality Scholarship is open to students pursuing the full-time Hospitality Business undergraduate degree programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology. (SIT Photo: Studio Zeros)

Natasha Koh Hui En, a Year 1 Hospitality Business undergraduate, who received the Kwek Leng Beng Hospitality Scholarship, shared, "Receiving this scholarship has reduced my financial burden to a great extent and enabled me to focus on my studies. With the scholarship, I feel more motivated to do my best and fulfil my aspirations of working in the hospitality industry."

Sheryl Choong Kai Ting, a Year 3 Hospitality Business undergraduate received the CDL Millennium & Copthorne Scholarship from Professor John Thong, Deputy President (Academic) and Provost, SIT. The Scholarship can be used to cover the recipient’s educational expenses such as tuition fees, course materials, expenses relating to approved regional as well as global study trips organised by the Institute. (SIT Photo: Studio Zeros)

Sheryl Choong Kai Ting, a Year 3 Hospitality Business undergraduate and recipient of the CDL Millennium & Copthorne Scholarship, said, "This scholarship means the world to me as it is a recognition of my journey of self-improvement. As someone who has always sought leadership roles throughout my education, Mr Kwek’s help encourages me to drive meaningful contributions to SIT and the larger community."