SMU undergraduate funds new scholarship
Final-year Business Management student Mr. Lawrence Kim has generously donated S$17,500 over 5 years to fund a scholarship and a book prize for his fellow students from the new academic year, 2009/2010. This is the single biggest contribution to the University by an undergraduate.
The Kim's Entrepreneur Scholarship will fund an outstanding student from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, with an award of S$3,000 for a year. Similarly, under the Kim's Entrepreneur Prize, an award of S$500 will be given to one Business Management student each year.
“I started off as an entrepreneur during the Asian Financial Crisis, using a few thousand dollars from my savings to set up a printing company. Today, I wish to do the same for budding entrepreneurs so that they too can achieve their dreams,” says Mr Kim, who currently owns a marine inspection services company, Ebenezer NDT Services Pte. Ltd.
“It is very heartwarming to receive Lawrence's kind contribution. SMU has had a tradition where the graduating cohort, individual graduates, parents and student groups give back to the university. And now we have an undergraduate pledging to do the same. It is a tribute to the education he has received here at SMU,” says Dean of Students, Associate Professor Low Aik Meng.
The undergraduate, who turns 27 on 12 March 2009 itself, has been an entrepreneur since he was 17. Today, Mr Kim has also launched a S$100,000 Angel Fund under his new company Eliezer Pte. Ltd. The Fund was created in consultation with SMU and SMU students can now channel their applications through the University when applying to the Angel Fund. This will fund student start-ups and students' participation in business competitions. He will provide up to S$15,000 for a student start-up and up to S$2,000 for students taking part in major business competitions. At the same time, Mr Kim will offer mentorship and provide incubator space to qualifying student entrepreneurs.
“We are delighted that our support for Lawrence's entrepreneurial pursuits has inspired him to support future entrepreneurs. It is great to see a young entrepreneur encouraging other entrepreneurs through this generous gesture,” says Director of SMU's Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Practice Professor Desai Narasimhalu.
SMU has helped the final-year student secure funds from SPRING Singapore's Entrepreneurial Talent Development Fund for one of his start-ups. He was also nominated by the University to attend youth entrepreneurship programmes. SMU also successfully nominated him in 2008 as one of the National Youth Council's inaugural batch of Young Business Leaders.
For the donation, there will be an official signing ceremony between Mr Lawrence Kim and SMU. Interviews can be arranged after the ceremony.
About Ebenezer NDT Services Pte. Ltd.
Ebenezer NDT Services Pte Ltd, currently headed by Lawrence Kim, was incorporated in 1994. It is committed to providing quality technical inspections and testing services to customers, both locally and overseas, in the marine offshore and ship-building sectors. Ebenezer is an ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 company and has more than 20 staff.
About Eliezer Pte. Ltd.
Eliezer Pte. Ltd., founded in 2009 by Lawrence Kim, aims to be a unique private sector initiative to fund help aspiring, young entrepreneurs. Our S$100,000 Angel Fund will fund student start-ups, offer mentorship and provide incubator space to qualifying student entrepreneurs. Eliezer hopes to be the inspiration for entrepreneurs of the new generation.
