University staff donate unused leave credits to aid students affected by pandemic

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Image: Facebook: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Faculty and staff at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have come together to donate their unused annual leaves under the university’s Leave Redemption and Donation Exercise, in aid of students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The initiative, which allows employees to redeem their unutilized earned annual leave value, courses their donation to a fund of their choosing, as per NTU’s statement on Nov. 23. Employees of NTU are entitled to 21 to 42 days of annual leave, depending on their employment scheme and years of service.

Employees can choose to contribute their donation to the university’s bursaries, general endowment, education and student life fund, or other school or center advancement funds to support the projects and activities of students.

Over 1,800 faculty and staff donated to the cause, raising S$10.25 million (around $7.6 million or P368 million).

“I really wanted to give back to NTU and NBS, which is my alma mater. This is a perfect opportunity that allows me to help out in whatever way I possibly can,” said associated professor Ivy Kwan, who is also assistant dean for career services at NTU’s Nanyang Business School.

Kwan decided to give 15 days’ worth of personal leave towards the NBS Student Aid Fund, which gives financial support to NBS students experiencing hardship.

“I have benefitted from an education here, and I would like others to be able to benefit from an education at NBS too. I teach at NBS and this is my little way of investing in the future of my students. I would definitely do it again in the future!” added Kwan.

Dr. Babu Narayanswamy, a materials scientist and director at the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, meanwhile, gave 14 vacation days in cash value to the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Advancement Fund.

“I consider myself one of the fortunate ones to have a job that has not been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  I know there are families that are hurting and need help because of the pandemic’s effects on the economy,” Narayanswamy said. “While the Government has been doing all it can, I believe this is the time for those of us who can, to pitch in and help in whatever way possible. Next year, I plan to donate my annual leave too.” 

This is not the only initiative of NTU to extend help to its students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, it’s just a snowball effect of an earlier initiative — the NTU Priorities Fund — launched back in April to give students financial support during the health crisis.

NTU also put up a new OneNTU Fund earlier this year worth S$2 million (about  $1.4 million or P71.8 million) as immediate assistance to students during the pandemic. According to the university, eligible students can get an interest-free advance of up to S$1,500 ($1,100 or P53,000) under the fund. Students will then reimburse the amount back to the university within two years after they graduate. JB

RELATED STORIES: 

DLSU offers free mental health counseling amid COVID-19 pandemic 

Australian universities propose ‘safe corridors’ to allow foreign students to return