NEWS 30 AUGUST 2024

Tigillus Foundation’s Endeavour to Expand Research and Teaching in Chinese Studies at NUS

On August 30, 2024, the Tigillus Foundation, led by founder Mr. David H.Y. Chang, announced a transformative gift to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). This generous contribution will establish both the David H.Y. Chang Visiting Professorship in Chinese Studies and the David H.Y. Chang Distinguished Professorship in Chinese Studies. These professorships are designed to enhance research and teaching in Chinese language, history, and culture, solidifying NUS as a global premier institution for Chinese Studies.

The creation of these two distinguished professorships will draw top scholars from around the world to Singapore. The appointed professors will play a pivotal role in driving cutting-edge research and fostering international collaboration, while also leading graduate and undergraduate courses in Chinese language, history, and culture. The search for the inaugural holders of these professorships will commence in 2025, signaling a new era of academic excellence in Chinese Studies at NUS.

The gift agreement was officially signed on August 30, 2024, during a ceremony at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Mr. David H.Y. Chang, founder of Tigillus Foundation, and Professor Lionel Wee, Dean of FASS, were the signatories. NUS President, Professor Tan Eng Chye, was present to witness this significant event, reflecting the importance of this partnership for the future of Chinese Studies at the university.

Professor Ong Chang Woei, Head of the NUS Department of Chinese Studies, emphasised the profound impact of these professorships, noting that they will attract leading scholars who have devoted their careers to studying Chinese language, history, and culture, both within China and globally. These endowed positions will contribute to raising awareness of Chinese culture’s influence on world civilisations, reinforcing its importance in academic discourse.

The Tigillus Foundation is deeply committed to fostering global cultural exchange through arts, culture, and education. Our support extends across regions, including curating and exhibiting the Chang family’s art collection in prominent international galleries, sponsoring philanthropic events that celebrate Chinese culture, and endowing professorships and fellowships to promote the study of Chinese history and its global impact.

Reflecting on the partnership with NUS, Mr. David H.Y. Chang remarked, “It has been a privilege to work with NUS, an institution that has made tremendous progress since its founding. In this era of rapid technological advancements and heightened geopolitical tensions, Singapore holds a pivotal role in stabilising both regional dynamics and Sino-Western relations. Through these endowed professorships, we hope to attract top scholars to lead Chinese Studies in Singapore and welcome visiting professors from China and the West to offer invaluable perspectives.”

“As Singapore’s leading institution for higher education, NUS has a responsibility to educate the future leaders of the Asia-Pacific region. It is our hope that this contribution will elevate the university’s study of Chinese history and culture and strengthen its role as a critical player in shaping the future of the region.”

Since its establishment in 1953, the Department of Chinese Studies at NUS has become one of the world’s foremost institutions for Chinese language and culture studies. With this latest gift, the Tigillus Foundation is proud to support its mission and contribute to the future of Chinese Studies in the region and beyond.

In 2023, the Department celebrated its 70th anniversary with conferences and seminars exploring critical issues in Chinese language education, popular culture, and intellectual history. Through this collaboration with NUS, the Tigillus Foundation looks forward to fostering even greater academic and cultural exchanges in the years to come.