The Ngee Ann Kongsi has pledged another SGD 1.2 million to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), a founding member of the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), offering scholarships for undergraduate programmes at NAFA, spanning Fine Art, Biophilic Design, Design Practice, Music and Performance Making. Ten outstanding students will benefit from The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarships, and receive SGD 10,000 annually from Academic Year 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The donation builds on a longstanding partnership. A similar SGD 1.2 million donation in 2021 has supported 41 undergraduate students across five cohorts to date, enabling greater access to tertiary education for students from varied backgrounds. Among the 21 scholarship recipients who have graduated, 48% earned First Class Honours and 52% earned Second Class Upper Honours, a testament which shows that the scholarship fulfils its purpose in helping deserving students.
For flautist, conductor, and music educator Lee Wen Xiang, receiving The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal in 2023 was more than an accolade; it marked a turning point in his artistic journey. The Gold Medal awarded was in recognition of his dedication and artistry, and the prize money provided him with the support and peace of mind to pursue his postgraduate studies. It formed the foundation for his career as the performer, conductor, and educator he is today.
"I am grateful to NAFA and The Ngee Ann Kongsi for supporting my undergraduate and postgraduate studies," said Wen Xiang. Returning to perform at the signing of a new donation on 12 September 2025, he embodies the full circle of the scholarship journey, from recipient to graduate, now helping to inspire the next generation of students.
Another scholarship recipient, Soh Ray Chel, discovered her passion for fashion design at a young age by experimenting with fabrics while playing with Barbie dolls. Through the scholarship, she progressed from NAFA’s Diploma in Fashion to the BA (Hons) Design Practice programme, which allowed her to further hone her craft.
Ray Chel’s works were recently featured at the SG60 National Day Parade through special commissions for Maya Dance Theatre performers, as well as for Minister of State Baey Yam Keng and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh Hanyan. Her works have also made a regional mark, having been presented at the Laos Fashion Week. Most notably, she was awarded the Best Collection Award at the 2025 NAFA Graduation Fashion Show. Supported by the scholarship, Ray Chel has transformed her passion into achievements on national and international stages.
"Behind every scholarship is a student whose dream is made possible. We are deeply grateful to The Ngee Ann Kongsi for their generosity and steadfast support over the years. Their belief in our students and in arts education allows young creatives to pursue their passions and reach meaningful milestones," said Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan, NAFA President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UAS.
“The Ngee Ann Kongsi has always believed in the power of education to transform lives and the importance of nurturing Singapore’s arts scene. We are proud to continue our support for this meaningful scholarship, which enables students from all walks of life to pursue their dreams in the arts. It brings us great joy to see our contributions used to nurture young creatives to enrich Singapore’s arts and culture,” said Mr Chia Chor Meng, President of The Ngee Ann Kongsi.
Over the past two decades, The Ngee Ann Kongsi has supported Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) through the following key contributions:
- 2009: $1.2 million for scholarships and merit awards (271 students benefited)
- 2015: $10 million for the new NAFA campus and the award of The Ngee Ann Kongsi Talent Scholarships
- 2020: $96,600 for COVID-19 Relief Fund, aiding 143 students
- 2021: $1.2 million for scholarships for University of the Arts London (UAL) degree programmes (41 students benefited)
- Ongoing: The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medals for top diploma and degree graduates annually
More student profiles are available on Annex 1.
About NAFA
Established in 1938, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), a founding member of the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), is Singapore’s pioneer and largest arts institution. Renowned for its unique identity and strength in Southeast Asian arts, NAFA’s Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) is a global leader in Southeast Asian art practice and research. NAFA has nurtured the greatest number of alumni conferred the nation’s highest accolades, with 14 Cultural Medallions and 15 Young Artist Award recipients. As the only arts institution offering a comprehensive range of educational pathways from early childhood to adulthood, NAFA inspires learning and growth through diverse programs. These include tertiary education, lifelong learning courses at the Centre for Lifelong Education, junior arts classes in the School of Young Talents, and arts-enriched preschool education.
With a rich heritage dedicated to arts education, NAFA strives to live up to its mission of “inspiring learning and growth through the arts.”
For more information, visit www.nafa.edu.sg. Follow @nafa_sg on Instagram for updates.
About The Ngee Ann Kongsi
The Ngee Ann Kongsi is a non-profit Teochew philanthropic organisation focused on educational, cultural, and charitable activities in Singapore, while placing a deep emphasis on preserving the Teochew heritage. The organisation is an active advocate in education which funds scholarships for high-performing students and study awards to disadvantaged students. It was founded in or about 1845 by Mr Seah Eu Chin and a group of Teochew merchants to provide welfare services for the Teochew immigrants and was formally incorporated under the Ngee Ann Kongsi (Incorporation) Ordinance in 1933.
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