On 17 October, the Singapore Chinese High School (“Hwa Chong”) and the Tan Kah Kee Foundation inked a sponsorship agreement signing ceremony, marking a meaningful milestone in their partnership and reflected both parties’ shared commitment to education.
The sponsorship will span five years, with Hwa Chong providing an annual cash donation of S$30,000, along with facility support of up to S$20,000 in value each year, to support the Tan Kah Kee Foundation’s initiatives. Through this partnership, both parties hope to inspire students, promote cultural appreciation and heritage, and nurture future leaders with leadership, entrepreneurship and social awareness.
The signing ceremony commenced with an opening address by Chairman of the Hwa Chong Board of Directors, Dr Sia Nam Chie. Dr Sia warmly welcomed Mr Lawrence Tan Han Tong, Chairman of the Tan Kah Kee Foundation, and the other distinguished guests, and also expressed his hope for continued collaboration between the two organisations, and that t the rapport and mutual understanding between two entities should extend beyond personal ties between respective chairmen but to encompass also broader community-level engagements between members of both the Hwa Chong Board of Directors and the Tan Kah Kee Foundation Management Committee. Through open communication, candid exchanges and a willingness to listen and consider different perspectives, both parties could strengthen their partnership, generate new ideas and explore more opportunities to advance education.
Dr Sia Nam Chie also highlighted that Hwa Chong’s achievements today would not have been possible without the vision and dedication of its founder, Mr Tan Kah Kee. He reaffirmed the importance of preserving and carrying forward the Tan Kah Kee spirit, noting that the signing ceremony should serve not merely as the beginning of a partnership, but also as an opportunity to give this enduring legacy greater meaning.
Looking ahead, he hoped that the true significance of this collaboration would be reflected in the number of students who benefit from it, as well as in the future generations who return to this platform to contribute to the community, uphold the Tan Kah Kee spirit and support education. By inspiring more people to carry the torch forward and ensuring that more students continue to benefit, the collective efforts of both organisations can be sustained across generations.
Mr Lawrence Tan Han Tong, Chairman of the Tan Kah Kee Foundation, also addressed the guests at the signing ceremony, expressing his appreciation for Dr Sia’s warm and gracious welcome. He shared that he had been pleasantly surprised and deeply encouraged by how readily Dr Sia had agreed to support the Tan Kah Kee Foundation and was delighted to join everyone in witnessing this important milestone of the sponsorship agreement. The agreement would further strengthen ties between the Hwa Chong Board of Directors and the Tan Kah Kee Foundation Management Committee, fostering greater mutual understanding and paving the way for more collaborative initiatives in the future.
Mr Lawrence Tan Han Tong also extended his heartfelt thanks to all the guests for taking the time to attend the ceremony and witness the occasion. He expressed his appreciation to Hwa Chong for its thoughtful arrangements and warm hospitality, including the luncheon prepared for the guests.
The agreement was subsequently signed in the presence of representatives from both parties. Beyond formalising their commitment, the agreement symbolised shared dedication to education and a common aspiration to carry forward the legacy and spirit of Mr Tan Kah Kee. Both parties looked forward to translating their shared vision into meaningful action and to create more opportunities for students to benefit from their collaboration.
Following the signing, the guests gathered for a commemorative group photograph to mark the occasion.
A buffet luncheon was also served, giving guests more time and space to engage in lively conversations, exchange of ideas and strengthen personal connections. Dr Sia Nam Chie also extended a warm invitation to the Tan Kah Kee Foundation guests to regard Hwa Chong as their second home.
The signing ceremony marked not only an important step in strengthening the relationship between the Hwa Chong and the Tan Kah Kee Foundation, but also a promising beginning for future collaboration.
Moving forward, both parties will work hand in hand to advance education, serve the community and ensure that the Tan Kah Kee spirit continues to inspire future generations, in the hope that these efforts will make a lasting difference in the lives of students and contribute meaningfully to the wider community.
