7 November 2006, SJII

St Joseph's Institution International's scholarship drive has received a big boost, following a donation of $5 million from the estate of the late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat. The estate represented by Mrs Mavis Khoo Oei presented the donation to Bro Michael Broughton, Brother President of SJI International, at Goodwood Park Hotel this evening. The presentation was witnessed by Dr Tony Tan, Patron SJI International Leadership Council, and about 40 SJI old boys and well-wishers.

The late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat was a student of SJI in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He was a loyal old boy and ardent supporter of SJI, having made several significant donations over the years but had always insisted on anonymity. The trustees of the estate have decided to continue with his legacy of donating to education, especially for SJI, his alma mater. This donation of $5 million will go to SJI International to provide scholarships for promising students from Singapore and the Asian region, especially those from lower income families.

Brother Michael Broughton said, "The De La Salle mission and the school are very grateful to the late Tan Sri Khoo and his family for their strong support over the past many years. Through their generosity, they have made a big difference to the lives of many. We feel that it is timely to reveal just how much they have done for SJI and education for Singapore and the region. We are happy that the Khoo family will continue to be our valued partners, working with us to provide holistic, value-centric quality education in the best of SJI's traditions, to our young."

The $5 million Khoo donation has increased the total amount raised by SJI International for scholarships to $9 million. The other $4 million comprises $3 million pledged by various organizations and corporations in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand and $1 million donated by SJI old boys.

So far, the school has announced two scholarship schemes - scholarships for SJI 'O' level graduates to do the International Baccalaureate diploma in SJI International tenable from year 2008 and open scholarships for students entering Secondary 3 in year 2007. SJI International will be announcing other open scholarship schemes for both local and regional students early next year.

Back