About the Awards
Established in 2019, the Kwek Hong Png Valedictorian Awards recognise and honour individuals at the Singapore Management University who embody diligence, tenacity, valour, compassion and humility in the pursuit of progress, success and excellence with the goal of creating not only a successful enterprise but a more equitable and inclusive society. These values and virtues are representative of the late Mr Kwek Hong Png, a kind, selfless and humble man filled with immense strength, courage and determination who spent his lifetime building up the Hong Leong Group while constantly contributing back to society.
The awards shall be given annually to the top graduating undergraduate students, with one award at the University level and one each at the School level. The awards will be presented at the respective Commencement ceremonies with each winner delivering his/her respective Valedictorian Address on behalf of the graduating cohort.
Eligibility Criteria
The awards shall be given annually to the top graduating undergraduate students, one from the University level and one each from the 6 schools.
Kwek Hong Png Valedictorian Award - To be awarded to the top graduating undergraduate student from the University’s graduating cohort. It is the most prestigious and eminent award graduating students can ever aspire to with the winner achieving the highest honour that may be bestowed by the University.
Kwek Hong Png School Valedictorian Awards - One award will be awarded to the top graduating undergraduate student from each of the 6 schools' graduating cohort:
- Kwek Hong Png-SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business Valedictorian Award
- Kwek Hong Png-SMU School of Accountancy Valedictorian Award
- Kwek Hong Png-SMU School of Economics Valedictorian Award
- Kwek Hong Png-SMU School of Computing and Information Systems Valedictorian Award
- Kwek Hong Png-SMU Yong Pung How School of Law Valedictorian Award
- Kwek Hong Png-SMU School of Social Sciences Valedictorian Award
Candidates vying for the awards must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Embody the ethos of the late Mr Kwek Hong Png consisting of diligence, tenacity, valour, compassion and humility
- Earned the respect of fellow graduates for the course duration at the University
- Achieved a summa cum laude
- Outstanding leadership qualities and entrepreneurial spirit
- Demonstrated strong creativity and innovation
- Extraordinary articulation skills
- Industrious participation in co-curricular activities and community involvement programmes
- Giving back and helping the less fortunate
The awards will only be given if there are candidates of sufficient merit. Concurrent receipt of Kwek Hong Png University Valedictorian Award and Kwek Hong Png School Valedictorian Award is not allowed. The applicant selected as university valedictorian shall concurrently receive the Kwek Hong Png University Valedictorian Award and the SPH Valedictorian Award.
Benefits
Kwek Hong Png Valedictorian Award
Kwek Hong Png School Valedictorian Awards
Certificate and $10,000 Cash Prize each
Application
- Applications will be invited in Term 2 annually:
- Kwek Hong Png Valedictorian Award – Interview is required of shortlisted candidates
- Kwek Hong Png School Valedictorian Awards – Winners will be determined by the respective schools.
- Interested applicants must provide documentary evidence in support of fulfilment of eligibility criteria.
Enquiries
Centre for Student Financial Assistance
Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance
Email: finasst@smu.edu.sg
About the Donor
The late Mr Kwek Hong Png is the founder of the Hong Leong Group. His grandchildren have come together to make an endowed gift to set up the Awards, which are the most prestigious and eminent awards that graduating SMU students can aspire to at the University and School levels.
