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UOB marks 90th anniversary with $30 million support for disadvantaged students in ASEAN
The programmes focus on uplifting the lives of more than 120,000 students through education
Singapore, 3 March 2025 - UOB today announced that it will commit $30 million to programmes which support the education of disadvantaged children and students across Southeast Asia.
The programmes mark the Bank's 90th anniversary and are in line with the Bank's focus to do right by its communities. Together, the programmes will positively impact and uplift the lives of more than 120,000 children and students from less privileged backgrounds through education. The programmes are designed to empower and inspire communities by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to progress and build resilience.
The four programmes are:
- UOB will partner a leading education technology (EdTech) platform based in Indonesia to provide 90,000 children from underprivileged families across 60 cities in Southeast Asia with a headstart at school. Through the EdTech platform, children mainly from Indonesia and Vietnam can gain easy access to quality educational resources in areas such as coding, computational training and digital literacy over the next three years.
- As part of the UOB My Digital Space Programme, about 20,000 children from disadvantaged backgrounds across Southeast Asia will receive digital learning tools and skills this year. Launched in 2020, the UOB My Digital Space Programme is a multi-year programme that aims to bridge the digital gap for children from disadvantaged backgrounds across the region and to connect them to a world of digital learning opportunities. Since its launch, the programme has benefitted about 38,000 students across the region.
- Through The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund in Singapore, about 11,000 students from low-income families will receive 90 days of pocket money to help them through school. The students can use this money for school-related expenses such as buying meals, paying for transport or other schooling activities.
- UOB will provide pre-tertiary scholarships to 90 students from the region over the next few years for them to study in Singapore. The scholarships will cover their education fees and living costs.
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and CEO, UOB, said, "UOB has always been steadfast in our commitment to doing right by our communities. As we celebrate and reflect on the past 90 years, we know we could only achieve what we have because of the loyal and continuous support of all stakeholders, including the community. We believe strongly in supporting education as this is an investment in our collective future across the ASEAN region. As we look to the future, we will continue to be guided by our core values of honour, enterprise, unity and commitment."
Celebrating the Bank's heritage
The Bank today also announced the opening of the UOB Gallery, titled "Right By You: The UOB Story". The gallery commemorates the rich history and milestones of the Bank from its founding in 1935.
The new UOB Gallery chronicles the key milestones that have defined the Bank's journey over the past 90 years. It offers visitors insights into how UOB has helped to shape and contribute to society across the pillars of Culture, Commerce and Community. Other than contributing to the region's economic development, the Bank has also played key roles in uplifting communities across ASEAN.
The gallery offers visitors a throwback to UOB’s past, even as the Bank looks to the future, constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers. In addition, it will feature UOB’s culture and values, which have been the foundation of building a sustainable enterprise and guides us to do Right by all stakeholders.
The gallery also explores the life and achievements of the late Dr Wee Cho Yaw, Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Adviser to the UOB Group, and pays tribute to his achievements in business, contributions to society and his life philosophies that underpinned them all.
The gallery is located at UOB's Main Branch in Raffles Place and is open to the public. It follows the opening hours of the Main Branch. Admission is free. Please refer to the Annex for more details on the gallery.
Over the course of the year, UOB will announce a series of exciting and impactful UOB90 initiatives and programmes to celebrate our journey, while giving back to the communities in which we operate.
