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SINGAPORE – Nanyang Technological University (NTU) faculty and staff have come together to donate more than $ 10 million from their unused annual leave to support the university’s students.
In total, 1,821 NTU employees contributed about 20,145 days of leave, the university said on Monday (Nov. 23).
Each employee donated an average of 11 days of leave, and some contributed up to 15 days. NTU employees receive between 21 and 42 days a year, depending on their employment plan and length of service.
Senior Vice President for Administration Tan Aik Na said: “Some of our students’ parents have lost their jobs or had their income reduced. Therefore, it is doubly important to us during the pandemic … to help these students “.
Donations were voluntary, and participating employees exchanged their unused license for a donation to a fund of their choice.
They could donate to college scholarships, the general endowment, or the education and student life fund.
They could also contribute to 18 other school or center promotion funds that support student projects and club activities, such as seminars and research initiatives.
Associate Professor Ivy Kwan was one of the employees who donated 15 days of leave.
She decided to support her alma mater, Nanyang Business School (NBS), where she also serves as assistant dean of professional services.
“I teach at NBS and this is my little way of investing in the future of my students. I would definitely do it again in the future,” he said.
Mr. Tan Suan Hai, a senior laboratory executive from the School of Computer Science and Engineering, also contributed 15 days of his personal leave to his school’s promotion fund.
“I’ve always believed in the value of education and the importance of student success. Since I can’t go on vacation this year, I felt like I could turn this into a good thing,” Tan said.
Dr. Babu Narayanswamy, Director of the Nanyang Water and Environment Research Institute, granted 14 days of leave to the Advancement Fund of the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.
The materials scientist said: “While the government has been doing its best, I believe this is the time for those of us who can, to contribute and help in any way possible.”
Another round of this donation exercise will take place in October 2021.
This initiative follows two others launched by the university, the NTU Priorities Fund and the OneNTU Fund, which were part of its Covid-19 aid package to help students facing financial difficulties.
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