Mrs Ho Lien Fung Realises Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series with S$500,000 Donation to Singapore Management University

MRS HO LIEN FUNG, wife of former Singapore Ambassador, Mr Ho Rih Hwa, will celebrate her birthday with a S$500,000 donation towards the establishment of the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series, in honour of her late husband's business and entrepreneurial achievements.

The series aims at exposing SMU students and the public to the views of accomplished entrepreneurs and business/ political leaders from within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region. The Singapore Management University (SMU) will organise one lecture a year, focusing on business issues and topics relevant to the global landscape.

The idea for this lectureship series arose when Mrs Ho attended a series of public lectures, funded by an endowed lecture series in memory of her late husband's classmate, Prof Wu Teh Yao. Triggered by her personal interest and experience with international ventures and cross-cultural issues, Mrs Ho felt that a similar programme concentrating on areas relevant to her husband's own global business endeavours would be beneficial to others.

Mr and Mrs Ho, both alumni of Cornell University, were partners in business. Together, they pioneered the tapioca starch business, with Mr Ho providing the business acumen and Mrs Ho contributing her technical training as a chemist. Mrs Ho, in her role as the Ambassador's wife, maintained a prominent position both in business and in her capacity as an active volunteer. For several years while in Thailand, she devoted much time and effort to fundraising. She was also a well-known columnist for the Straits Times with her regular bilingual column, Bamboo Green, which was published in book form.

The couple have three children:

the middle son, Ho Kwon Ping, who is Chairman of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, SMU. A successful businessman and entrepreneur, he has extended the family business from trading and agro-industry to hotels and resorts development and management

an accomplished eldest daughter, author Ho Min Fong, who has published three books and won various awards and prizes

the youngest, Ho Kwon Cjan, who is a talented architect, reputed for his innovative work as the chief architect of all Banyan Tree's hotels and resorts.

A Brief Biography of Mr Ho Rih Hwa (1917 - Aug 1999):

Stories and quotes from 'Eating Salt - An Autobiography' by the late Mr Ho Rih Hwa Quote from the book:

"Success is a journey, not a destination".

He was the son of a boat builder. Enthusiastic, honest and hardworking and with the support of his wife Lien Fung, Mr Ho began his career by trading in tungsten ore and then ventured further to set up many factories across Asia, revolutionising the process of producing starch from mung beans and tapioca products.

He was asked to be involved in the establishment and operations of the Economic Development Board in Thailand and later took on the role of Ambassador of Singapore to Thailand, Belgium and Germany. As Ambassador, Mr Ho was entitled to an annual salary but chose not to receive any payment for the role as he was proud to be able to serve his country.

Mr Ho, with his family, lived in exotic places around the world: Thailand, Burma, Singapore, Belgium, Germany and the U.S., giving them a truly global experience, both in business and personally.

Trading under the umbrella of the Thai Wah Company and later the Walon Company, Mr Ho's successful business ventures were varied.