Alumni Giving

Alumni donors make up more than 50% of our donor base in FY18 and FY19. The Faculty greatly appreciates and is thankful to our alumni for their generous support through the years. They had devoted their time and resources to partner us in providing the best for our students.

1. “I give because I am thankful for whatever I have received in life and for what I have today. Words express our thankfulness; action demonstrates our gratitude.” - Dr Lee Ai Ling, BDS Class of 1983
   
   
2. “I did not come from a rich family. Our family finances were tight. I still remember Papa calling for a family conference to discuss which one of us 3 brothers will have to drop out of university studies. Somehow, my parents especially my mother worked very hard and managed to send all 3 of us through university. At that time, there were no study loans and a few of my classmates had to work on the side to support themselves through Dentistry. In 2010, while talking to Dr Betty Mok about our dental students' welfare, I was shocked to hear that even with study loans, some of the students were still working hard and in dangerous jobs to put themselves though school. I then made the decision to donate my part-time teaching salary to the Dental Bursary Fund. I stipulated that the bursary money should be given based on financial needs and not linked to scholastic performance, unlike a scholarship. I believe that if you are busy trying to make ends meet, you may not have much time and enough rest to study and work hard enough to top your class. I trust the bursary money has been well allocated and spent. The Dental School has given me an iron rice bowl for life, and I do believe in giving back to it. Teaching at the faculty is an honour, not a paid job, and also a chance to be a stakeholder in our future generations of dentists. I happily volunteered to teach whether I was paid or not. If my small contribution to the Dental Bursary Fund can help a few students in need to get through their difficulties and graduate, I'm happy.” -  Dr Kaan Sheung Kin, BDS Class of 1982.
   
   Dr Kaan has served the Faculty as a part-time teacher for more than 20 years and has donated his part-time teaching salary to support our Dental Bursary Fund since 2011. Through his giving, he has enabled many needy students to fulfil their dreams of getting a university degree and pursue a rewarding career in Dentistry
   
   
3. Lim Kheng Ann Dentistry Bursary
   
   “My family and I believe it is a blessing to give. A student’s potential should not be hindered nor constrained by financial circumstances. Hence, we hope this award will enable him or her to concentrate on studying to achieve academic excellence. It is also our wish that it will inspire in the recipient, a resolve to learn, to work hard, to hone good practical skills and clinical acumen. Perform well, do good work and benefit our people! Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of our future.”
   – Dr Lim Kheng Ann, BDS Class of 1952
   
   
4. Rashid Tahir The Kids Dentist Medal
   
   “When I completed my specialist training at the Eastman Dental Institute in London 20 years ago, I was given an award for being the best graduate student in Paediatric Dentistry. The award was sponsored by 3M and I received a simple certificate and a small cash award. But it meant a lot to me, and inspired me to continue learning and to seek ways to improve the way I practice my discipline of paediatric dentistry. So when I learned that the first cohort of graduate students in Paediatric Dentistry in NUS will be completing their programme and there was no prize being sponsored yet, I took the opportunity to contribute one. I thought it will be nice to award the best overall student with a medal and a sum of money. This will be a motivation for subsequent batches of students to excel in the field of Paediatric Dentistry. It is my hope that trainees in Paediatric Dentistry will do their best in learning to care for the oral health of children in Singapore.” – Dr Rashid Tahir, BDS Class of 1995
   
   
5. George Y Soh Scholarship
   
   “With financial support, the recipient can focus on his or her studies; do well in the programme and go on to be successful in his or her career.  I hope the recipient will in turn contribute another scholarship to the Faculty when he or she is able.  In time to come, the Faculty of Dentistry will be able to nurture and sustain a pool of talented individuals for our dental fraternity.” - Dr George Soh, BDS Class of 1980

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