Kwek Leng Beng has pledged S$1m to the St Joseph’s Institution Philanthropic Fund for the Lasallian Mission Ltd (SJIPF) to nurture young Singaporeans in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced computing, and emerging technologies. The Kwek Leng Beng Innovation Gift will support student-led projects at St. Joseph’s Institution and offer scholarships for students admitted to the University of Cambridge.
The initiative is divided into two main arms. The first, the Kwek Leng Beng Innovation Programme, will fund innovation and technology projects within St. Joseph’s Institution. This includes covering costs for student projects, mentorship, short courses, and seed grants. The second arm, the Kwek Leng Beng SJIPF–Cambridge Scholarship, will provide up to S$50,000 per scholar for students admitted to Christ’s College or St Edmund’s College at Cambridge to study Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering.
Kwek emphasised the importance of investing in young minds, stating, “Young people are that asset, and an investment in their education can compound over a lifetime.” The scholarships will not require recipients to return to Singapore, reflecting Kwek’s belief that talent is retained through opportunity rather than obligation.
SJIPF President Leon Yee highlighted the programme’s focus on student initiative, noting that funding will be based on the quality of proposals rather than annual exercises. The initiative aligns with Singapore’s national AI agenda, as outlined by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who emphasised the role of technology and productivity in the nation’s future growth.
