AS WE know, the level of donation by individuals to local universities is low compared to the United States.
I do not know about the United States, but let me share my experience in Canada. I started my Bachelor of Computer Science studies in Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, in September 1986. In April 1987, I completed my first year of studies among the top 5 per cent of my cohort and was placed on the Dean's List.
Upon confirmation of my results, I was pleasantly surprised when I recieved a letter from the university informing me that I had been awarded a scholarship of C$1,100 (S$1,500). The scholarship bore the name of the contributor and a short write-up about that person.
Acadia University was established in 1838, and while the student population was only about 3,000 students when I was there, it had many alumni contributing to it.
If we do not see the same enthusiasm in alumni of our local universities, it is because of the lack of creativity.
National University of Singapore has 100 years of history and boasts of many alumni. If we tailor the scholarship such that it bears the name of the contributor with a write up of his achievement in life, no matter how modest, it may send out the right signal.
Not all contributors want to remain anonymous. The important issue is about transparency and accountability. If a scholarship spells out the name of the contributor, he or she can rest assured that his money has been put to good use. This will directly result in more alumni signing up to pay for scholarships.
In the years to come the recipients of the scholarships will in turn want to become a contributor to repay society.
Lim Yao Ho
This is taken from [here]
What are your views? How can we improve?
- wong chee tat :)
