Transformative Education

S$15 million to elevate finance education, empower students

Published on 9 December 2025
Professor Lily Kong presenting a token of appreciation to Dr Lillyn Teh during the Gift Signing Ceremony. They are pictured here with Dr Teh’s husband, Dr Foo Suan Tong.
Professor Lily Kong presenting a token of appreciation to Dr Lillyn Teh during the Gift Signing Ceremony. They are pictured here with Dr Teh’s husband, Dr Foo Suan Tong.

Dr Lillyn Teh, a longstanding advocate for holistic education and committed supporter of SMU, has made a S$15 million gift to the University to advance opportunities and nurture future-ready graduates.

This gift comes as SMU celebrates its 25th anniversary, a milestone that reflects the University’s evolution from a bold start-up institution to a globally recognised hub for innovation and impact.

It is her third and most significant contribution thus far, reflecting her belief in the power of education to uplift individuals and strengthen communities.

Her latest gift deepens and broadens this legacy across three key fronts: Empowering Students Through Financial Support, Broadening Horizons Through Global Exposure and Elevating Academic Excellence & Learning Community.

Among the new initiatives supported through this gift are:

  • The Lillyn Teh Endeavour Study Award, to support students who demonstrate resilience and commitment to learning despite financial hardship.
  • The Lillyn Teh Global Endeavour Grant, which will enable students with financial needs to embark on student exchange programmes in Asia.
  • The Lillyn Teh Global Leadership Endeavour Grant, which enables deserving students to participate in international exchange programmes at leading global universities, cultivating a well-rounded worldview.
  • The Lillyn Teh Endeavour Scholarship, which supports outstanding students at the School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS) who are pursuing a second major at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB).
  • The Lillyn Teh Social Event: Two gatherings will be held annually to bring together recipients of Dr Teh’s gifts, fostering mentorship, peer learning, and a strong sense of community.
  • SMU’s Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF) programme: Sustained funding to go towards enabling hands-on experience with expert faculty guidance, industry engagement, access to specialised software tools, and the opportunity to invest real money in global markets.

These initiatives strengthen SMU’s commitment to supporting deserving students across disciplines.

SMU President Professor Lily Kong noted, “Dr Teh’s generosity has helped lay the groundwork for a vibrant and supportive community — one where recipients of her gifts can come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow collectively."

“By creating this platform for mentorship and connection, Dr Teh is shaping more than individual success stories — she is nurturing a generation of students who lift each other up, and who carry forward the values of generosity, resilience, and shared purpose.” 

SMU President Professor Lily Kong

Philanthropy a defining feature of SMU’s jubilee year

Dr Teh shared that her motivation to give stems from her belief in the power of education, and a desire to provide growth opportunities for the next generation.

I strongly believe that education is the great equaliser and powerful multiplier. I fully endorse SMU’s holistic and globally connected approach and believe that students should be equipped not only with knowledge, but also with curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and compassion. Through this contribution, I hope to help students go further in their tertiary education and inspire them to start their own giving journey in the future.

Dr Lillyn Teh

Dr Teh’s gift is part of a series of contributions from alumni, industry leaders, and community partners that have marked SMU’s 25th anniversary.

Another SMU alumnus Gregory See (BBM 2007, MWM 2008), together with AGT Partners co-founders Avrian Tan and Tim Kusumo, made a S$2 million gift to establish the AGT Partners Scholarship earlier this year. The scholarship will cover tuition fees and living expenses for up to eight financially challenged undergraduates who are active in community work each year.

In addition, a collective gift from corporate and individual donors went towards the establishment of the Fock Siew Wah SMU Grace Scholarship, honouring one of Singapore’s most influential banking and public-sector leaders. By supporting up to 21 undergraduates from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business annually, the award spurs recipients on to greater heights of academic excellence while commemorating Mr Fock’s legacy of excellence and public service.

As SMU steps confidently into its next quarter-century, Dr Teh’s gift — alongside the generosity of alumni, corporate partners, and friends — highlights a shared commitment to nurturing talent and widening access to transformative education. These contributions not only uplift individual students but also fortify SMU’s mission to develop leaders of character, purpose, and global perspective.

See also:

S$15 million Gift of Impact to Empower Students and Elevate Finance Education | SMU Newsroom

Alumni and Industry Leaders Strengthen SMU’s Culture of Giving with New Scholarships | SMU Newsroom