Nurturing leaders of the future through Peter Tan PTO Endowed Bursary

Mr Peter Tan Shou Yi, in partnership with SMU, has established a $1 million “PETER TAN PTO Endowed Bursary” to provide ten bursaries worth $6000 each to be disbursed annually and in perpetuity for Singaporean students in the School of Economics (SOE) starting from Academic Year 2014/15. The objective of the Bursary is to offset the tuition fees of students with evidence of financial hardship.

The cheque of $1 million was presented to SMU President Arnoud De Meyer at a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Peter Tan Organisation (PTO) on 2 March 2014.

Mr Tan is the Group Financial Services Director of Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Limited. He is the Chairman of Peter Tan Organization, a multiple award-winning super agency in the Singapore insurance industry for the past ten consecutive years. Besides insurance, Mr Tan also has invested in start-ups, commercial real estate, mobile application and payment system, food & beverage, training & consultancy, artistes management and movie-making.

Despite his success, Mr Tan has always believed education to be a crucial social enabler. Having grown up in a poor family, he is well aware of the struggles that students from less privileged background face.

A man of principle, Mr Tan said, "I believe the act of giving is driven by love and compassion. When I wake up every morning, I want to make a difference and do something beneficial to the people around me. I am proud to be associated with SMU, whose transformational education nurtures leaders of the future. To me, no such leader of the future should be denied an education because he or she has financial difficulties.

“I share SMU’s vision and mission of grooming students into confident, dynamic and socially conscious young individuals. I trust these bursary recipients will be inspired to contribute back to society.”

Professor Bryce Hool, Dean of SMU School of Economics, said “The School is grateful to Mr Tan for establishing this very significant Bursary. His generosity will be of immense benefit to deserving SOE undergraduates, relieving them of the financial burden of the cost of their education. It will allow them to focus on their studies and fully engage in the holistic and enriching educational experience that SMU offers.”

In recognition of his generous support, Mr Tan will be listed on SMU’s Donor Wall as a “Leader” of the University.

Prior to setting up this Bursary, Mr Tan has also contributed to SMU Business Study Missions to the Middle East in 2007 and 2008, as well as a PTO Scholarship in 2007.

[Photo: SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer received the cheque of $1 million from Mr Peter Tan for the establishment of the Peter Tan PTO Endowed Bursary which will benefit needy students from the School of Economics]