SUTD Names Largest Lecture Theatre After Dr Albert Hong
From left, ESM Goh Chok Tong, SUTD President Professor Thomas Magnanti, Dr Albert Hong, SUTD Board of Trustee Mr Sam Goi, SUTD Provost Professor Chong Tow Chong, at the Albert Hong Lecture Theatre Dedication Ceremony. (photo credit: SUTD)
The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) has named its largest lecture theatre after pioneering Singaporean architect, Dr Albert Hong, to honour his generous S$30 million gift to the institution. This donation was pledged in 2013 as part of SUTD’s fundraising campaign to commemorate Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister (the late) Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s 90th birthday that year.
SUTD’s Patron for Advancement, Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong officiated the dedication ceremony held today in appreciation of Dr Hong’s generosity.
A quiet philanthropist, Dr Hong has made significant donations over the years to support numerous worthy causes. The gift to SUTD is his largest charitable contribution to date.
Dr Hong, Chairman of RSP Architects Planners and Engineers – a leading company in its field, hopes to empower the young university to excel and make an impact on society. The donation will aid in advancing SUTD’s teaching and research goals, as well as provide more bond-free scholarships to assist deserving students.
Dr Albert Hong said: “I congratulate SUTD for its outstanding work in developing a world-class university and a very promising next generation of holistically trained and technically-grounded architects and engineers. Education is dear to my heart. It empowers people and is capable of uplifting society. Back in 2013, I pledged this unrestricted gift to SUTD and wanted them to make good use of it. My aim is straightforward – to help the underprivileged receive the education they deserve. No deserving students should be denied formal education because of lack of financial support. All I ask is for the students to serve the country after graduation, and give back as they have so richly received.”
In addition to the strong monetary support, Dr Hong has, through his company RSP, provided internship opportunities to SUTD students as well as hired its graduates.
SUTD Provost, Professor Chong Tow Chong, said: “SUTD is proud to name our lecture theatre after Dr Albert Hong, one of Singapore’s most distinguished and highly respected architects. We are very grateful to Dr Hong for his generous support, which will help nurture innovative and technically-grounded graduates who will go on to shape the future through technology and design. Dr Hong’s patronage attests to his confidence in the quality and rigour of our multi-disciplinary programmes, cutting across our architecture and engineering pillars. We share his desire in ensuring equal opportunity is given to every student, irrespective of financial circumstance and we hope Dr Hong's influence will inspire many more to pursue a first-rate education with us.”
The gift has provided important resources that enable SUTD to invest in its students to become future ready leaders of Singapore. It has helped defray study costs for many deserving students who are keen to pursue a unique multi-disciplinary, hands-on education at SUTD.
In addition, SUTD will establish the Albert Hong Lecture Series under our Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) pillar, to stimulate discussions and broaden intellectual capacity among students, faculty and experts about topics of interest and importance to society.
The 587-sqm Albert Hong Lecture Theatre has a seating capacity of 530 people and is designed as a central meeting venue for discourse and knowledge exchange. SUTD’s campus houses many facilities including a set of traditional Chinese structures, a state-of-the-art Fabrication Lab, cohort classrooms, sports as well as housing facilities, which offers unique opportunities to perpetuate the legacy of charitable donors.