Mrs Ho Lien Fung bestows gift of $500,000 on SMU

Published on 25 March 2011

Long-time SMU supporter and philanthropist Mrs Ho Lien Fung has granted a gift of $500,000 to continue the immensely popular Lien Fung Colloquium lecture series. The Colloquium is aimed at enhancing public understanding and appreciation of culture and society through lectures, talks and other events, with a particular focus on everyday life. Mrs Ho hopes that the Colloquium will inspire the community to continue their quest for a broader knowledge beyond just academic learning.

This is Mrs Ho’s third donation to SMU. In 2001, she made an endowed donation of $500,000 to establish the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series at SMU, in memory of her late husband, former Singapore Ambassador and successful businessman Mr Ho Rih Hwa.

Speakers included Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR Donald Tsang and most recently, Philippine President Benigno S Aquino III. Her second donation was made during her 80th birthday in 2003 when she gave an endowed $500,000 to set up the Lien Fung Colloquium series