The National University of Singapore (NUS) has received a generous S$3 million pledge from global real estate company Mapletree Investments to strengthen its service-learning courses. This contribution will empower over 4,000 student volunteers annually to support more than 60,000 beneficiaries, including seniors and vulnerable families, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts among government, community, and corporate partners in building an inclusive society. The milestone was celebrated on 25 August 2025 at Mapletree Business City, with Senior Minister of State Ms Low Yen Ling as Guest-of-Honour.
Under the Communities and Engagement (C&E) pillar of NUS’s General Education curriculum, undergraduate students can take service-learning courses that combine reflection with active community service. These courses address societal issues such as inequality and poverty, encouraging students to analyze challenges, propose solutions, and take initiative in uplifting disadvantaged communities. Mapletree’s donation, as the Principal Founding Donor, will sustain and expand programs such as GEN2060 Reconnect SeniorsSG, GEN2061 Support Healthy AgeingSG, GEN2062 Community Activities for Seniors, and GEN2070 Community Link Befrienders. Since the pilot launch of the C&E pillar in Academic Year 2022/2023, over 5,000 students have participated in these programs.
These year-long courses allow students to contribute meaningfully to the community while developing critical thinking, empathy, and leadership skills. Beneficiaries receive companionship, engagement, and practical support, while community partners gain additional manpower, and students cultivate lifelong values. NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye emphasized that Mapletree’s gift will expand students’ ability to serve the community, support Singapore’s ageing population, and foster awareness of societal needs among the underprivileged.
Mapletree Chairman Edmund Cheng highlighted that the initiative aligns with the company’s CSR pillars of healthcare and education. The gift, part of a broader US$10 million commitment to Temasek Trust’s Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), seeks to build bridges between students, seniors, and vulnerable families while strengthening social cohesion. Through these service-learning courses, students will engage seniors and families through hands-on initiatives, including activities at Active Ageing Centres and Senior Care Centres, home visits, and outreach on government support schemes.
Community partners, such as NTUC Health Senior Day Care, praised the initiative for enriching seniors’ lives and fostering intergenerational bonds. Students also benefit personally, gaining leadership, communication, and teamwork skills as they plan and implement community activities. Mapletree’s support continues a decade-long partnership with NUS, which began with the Mapletree Bursary in 2012, providing financial aid to students and supporting educational access. This latest gift strengthens service-learning programs, promotes intergenerational connections, and addresses societal challenges arising from Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, projected to have one in four residents aged 65 or older by 2030.
