Temasek Foundation

History

In 2003, Temasek instituted a policy of setting aside a share of its excess returns for the community for each year Temasek exceeds its risk-adjusted cost of capital.

In 2007, the Temasek Trust was established to provide financial oversight for and governance of Temasek’s endowment gifts to its Non-Profit Philanthropic Organisations (NPPOs). This allowed their NPPOs to focus on the implementation and management of its social and community programmes.

In 2016, Temasek restructured its 17 endowments into six foundations, reaffirming Temasek’s ongoing commitment to the wider community in Singapore and beyond while also marking the next phase of Temasek’s community investment journey.

Mandate & Framework

Four community investment mandates guide Temasek’s giving:

1. Building People through providing support with dignity for individuals and families in times of need
2. Building Communities through fostering racial and religious harmony and promoting understanding across cultures and languages. Also through education, training, activities and campaigns to raise awareness and preparedness in the event of health, environmental and other large-scale emergencies.
3. Building Capabilities through education, training and other initiatives to improve opportunities for livelihood.
4. Rebuilding Lives through offering a helping hand for disadvantaged individuals, families or communities.

Temasek Family of Six Foundations

The Temasek Family of Six Foundations comprises

1. Temasek Foundation International
2. Temasek Foundation Cares
3. Temasek Foundation Connects
4. Temasek Foundation Nurtures
5. Temasek Foundation Innovates
6. Temasek Foundation Ecosperity

Temasek Foundation International

Formerly (before 6 September 2016) known as Temasek Foundation (TF), Temasek Foundation International is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation that engages communities, enables partners and supports programmes to Build People in Health Care, Build People in Education, Build Bridges Between Peoples, Build Institutions of Excellence and Rebuild Lives & Livelihoods Affects by Natural Disasters.

Temasek Foundation International also manages the Singapore Technologies Endowment Programme (STEP).

As at March 2016:

Temasek Foundation has had 30,145 direct participants, connected with 183,142 people (through learning sessions conducted by trained programme participants) and benefited 4,980 families who were recipients of Temasek Foundation International’s post-disaster recovery provisions.

Programmes

Healthcare

Temasek Foundation International supports the training of health care professionals, educators, nurses and specialists, and the upgrading of the nursing curriculum, pedagogy and standards for the improvement of the standard and quality of health care institutions in Singapore.

Temasek Foundation International accomplishes these through supporting programmes that train nurse leaders and specialists in improving standards of nursing care and the training of community health workers.

During FY2015/16, Temasek Foundation International launched 7 programmes (totaling 50 health care programmes since TF’s inception). Nursing Management programmes in China (Tianjin), India (West Bengal and Karnataka), Health Care Management programmes in India (Tamil Nadu) and Sri Lanka and Public Health Care programmes in Lao PDR.

This amounted to S$2.7 million in healthcare programme grants in FY2015/16 (totaling S$25.5 million since TF’s inception).

Education

Temasek Foundation International supports the enhancing of adaptable educational policies, practices and curriculum through education leaders. This is further accomplished through supporting programmes that train leaders, educators and specialists to build capabilities in education in schools, vocational institutions and technical colleges and universities.

During FY2015/16, Temasek Foundation International launched 12 programmes (totaling 109 education programmes since TF’s inception). TVET Asia-wide and in China (Jilin and Sichuan), Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, Viet Nam (Da Nang), English Language Capability Programmes in Cambodia and Indonesia, University Leadership Asia-wide and School Management Leadership in Indonesia.

This amounted to S$6.4 million in education programme grants in FY2015/16 (totaling S$65.1 million since TF’s inception).

Building Bridges between Peoples

Temasek Foundation International aims to integrate a community of diverse regions, languages, cultures and faiths by supporting networking platforms for students, leaders and opinion-shapers from different countries to converge to learn, share experiences and build upon the diversity of cultures.

During FY2015/16, Temasek Foundation International launched 7 education programmes (totaling 52 education programmes since Temasek Foundation International’s inception). Two Student Leaders Exchange programmes Asia-wide, Temasek Foundation Asia Leaders Connect 2015 Asia-wide and Asia Journalism Fellowship 2015 & 2016 Asia-wide.

This amounted to S$3.4 million in education programme grants in FY2015/16 (S$23.1 million in total since Temasek Foundation International’s inception).

Temasek Foundation International also held the inaugural Temasek Foundation Asia Leaders Connect, its first leadership forum for Asian senior officials, where 25 leaders from Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand gathered to discuss the public sector management and global challenges affecting Asia.

Building Institution of Excellence

Temasek Foundation International lends its support to regional and public sector leaders through programmes that facilitate and shape economic development, urban development and public administration policies, regulations and systems in their respective communities. In turn, supporting its aim of fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and development.

During FY2015/16, Temasek Foundation International launched 14 programmes (74 education programmes in total since Temasek Foundation International’s inception). The programmes include Urban Management programmes in India (Delhi and Maharashtra), Myanmar and Asia-wide and Public Administration programmes in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines and Asia-wide.

This amounted to S$7.4 million in education programme grants in FY2015/16 (totaling S$39.6 million since Temasek Foundation International’s inception).

Rebuilding Lives and Livelihoods affected by Disasters

To mitigate the physical, emotional, mental and economic impacts on communities struck by disaster, Temasek Foundation International is committed to supporting affected-communities through disaster-preparedness capability programmes and post-disaster rehabilitation efforts that help rebuild lives and livelihoods.

During FY2013/14, Temasek Foundation International trained 430 medical specialists and community health responders in disaster medical management to better respond to emergencies in the eventuality of disasters in the Sulawesi region, Indonesia.⁷ It also provided medical, health and community kits including nutrition-related provisions to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan through the Philippine Red Cross and Singapore Red Cross Society in Tacloban, Philippines.

Singapore Technologies Endowment Programme (STEP) was set up as a Charity and IPC in 1997, STEP’s programmes focus on social and cultural activities, leadership, environment and innovation, to help youth in Asia build goodwill and understanding. Initiatives under STEP include the Sunburst Youth Camp, Sunburst Brain Camp and Sunburst Environment Programme. These programmes provide youth with opportunities to connect and understand each other, further igniting their passion for neuroscience, innovation and the environment.

Grants

As at March 2016:

Temasek Foundation International has given a total of S$162.6 million in grants across 303 programmes in dedication to these five focus areas:

Temasek Foundation Cares

Temasek Foundation Cares (formerly Temasek Cares) is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation that funds and supports meaningful and innovative community-based programmes for the benefit of Singaporeans in need.

It aims to contribute to the well-being, dignity and livelihood of needy individuals, families and communities by building people, building communities, building capabilities and rebuilding lives.

As at 31 March 2016, Temasek Foundation Cares has funded and supported 95 programmes, benefitting 29,000 people. The beneficiaries include people with disabilities, those in need of psychological support, children with learning and developmental needs, abused women and children, single parents, needy families and elderly who require long term care. Programmes under the Temasek Emergency Preparedness Fund have also touched the lives of 1.2 million households.

Under Temasek Foundation Cares, the S$75 million Temasek Emergency Preparedness (T-PREP) Fund is dedicated to enhancing community emergency resilience and preparedness.

Programmes

An Inclusive Future of Us

This programme was Temasek Cares’ signature SG50 event that honed the primary aim to engage special needs persons by building an inclusive Singapore community. 5,300 children with special needs and their caregivers participated in ‘The Future of Us’ exhibition held at Gardens by The Bay. The event created public awareness of the need to build an inclusive community that involves people with disabilities.

Stay Prepared – Trauma Network for Children

Building on the success of the Temasek Cares KITS programme, Stay Prepared aims to enhance community-based resources to adequately provide psychosocial trauma support for children and families in schools and in the community. It equips community-based organisations and schools who serve children with trauma-specific skills and links them together in a trauma learning network.

Balaji Sadasivan – Healthcare Building Capability Project

Set up in 2010, the Balaji Sadasivan – Healthcare Building Capability Project aims to build manpower capability in the Intermediate and Long-Term Care sector to meet the needs of Singapore’s ageing population. Since its inception, 38 study awards have been given to students in the fields of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing and health services management. In FY2015/16 alone, 10 study awards were given.

Ee Peng Liang – Special Needs Building Capability Project

With a growing demand for early intervention services for persons diagnosed with special needs, the Ee Peng Liang – Special Needs Building Capability Project was set up in 2011 to train skilled manpower to serve people with developmental, intellectual, physical, sensory of multiple disabilities. Since 2011, 41 study awards have been given to individuals with the passion and aptitude to serve in this sector.

Some of Temasek Cares’ Programmes:

Grants

Rather than funding beneficiaries directly or independently running programmes and services, Temasek Foundation Cares partners with non-profit organisations and supports their developing and running of programmes that align with Temasek Foundation Cares’ purpose and mission.

As at 2016: Temasek Foundation Cares has given $9.8 million in programme grants across 13 programmes to 71,500 beneficiaries. 65,000 of which fall under the Temasek Emergency Preparedness Fund and 6,500 of which benefited from the Balaji Sadasivan, Ee Peng Liang and Temasek Cares Endowments.

Temasek Foundation Connects

Temasek Foundation Connects is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation established in 2016 that funds and supports programmes which seek to build bridges and partnerships. These programmes also promote dialogue and advance collective knowledge and mutual understanding in key areas that are important to Singapore and on a global front.

These include issues such as security, geopolitics and economic imperatives of emerging markets, as well as best practices in areas such as corporate governance and stewardship.

Temasek Foundation Connects currently oversees the S Rajaratnam Endowment and the Hon Sui Sen Endowment.

S Rajaratnam Endowment

The S Rajaratnam Endowment (SRE) is a S$100 million endowment set up by Temasek in 2010, in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, to recognise Singapore’s first Foreign Minister and one of Singapore’s pioneering leaders.

SRE seeks to achieve development, peace and stability by deepening international friendships, promoting regional cooperation and fostering greater and common understanding of international rules, based on the twin pillars of good governance and sustainability.

Hon Sui Sen Endowment

The Hon Sui Sen Endowment (HSSE) develops future public service leaders in the financial industry in Singapore and Asia, fostering fellowship and exchange among them.

Its flagship programme, The Temasek Regional Regulators Scholarship (TRRS) builds and develops the capabilities of talents from regional central banks and financial regulatory institutions, while promoting stronger networks and relationships among Asian financial regulatory institutions.

Temasek Foundation Innovates

Temasek Foundation Innovates is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation that funds and supports programmes focused on developing practical solutions for a better life through research and innovation.

Established in 2016, it aims to strengthen research capabilities by nurturing talents, as well as encouraging multi-disciplinary programmes and inter-agency collaboration for collective capabilities. The Foundation manages two endowments - the Singapore Millennium Foundation and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory.

Singapore Millennium Foundation

The Singapore Millennium Foundation (SMF) was set up as a charity and IPC in 2001 by the then Singapore Technologies Pte Ltd (STPL). Since 2011, it has been a Temasek Trust-supported non-profit organisation that promotes research through the awarding of post graduate research scholarships and funding of research programmes in the areas of ageing, palliative care, pedagogy and learning, special needs education and non-medical bio-science. Its ethos is promoting research as an endeavour to help humanity.

More than 200 post graduate research scholarships have been awarded as at 2010. These scholarships included supporting clinician scientists in their research. A number of SMF scholars have attained faculty positions in local Universities and/or continued their research at Universities and Research Institutes locally and abroad.

In 2010, the SMF discontinued its scholarship schemes and channeled its funds to support smaller more niche research programmes in Singapore. Some supported research programmes include Liver Cancer, Parkinson Disease, Neuromuscular Disease, Bio-fuel and Mental Health.

In 2011, SMF initiated grant calls to researchers from NUS, NTU, NIE and other selected Research Institutes. To date, research grants have been awarded in Pedagogy and Learning/Special Needs Education, Ageing, Palliative Care and Non-Medical Bio-Science.

A second grant call inviting more research proposals in these areas was launched in December 2012. There have been five grant calls since, with a sixth grant call in progress.

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) is a research institute established in 2002 that undertakes bio-molecular science research and applications to benefit people. It is a beneficiary of Temasek Trust and an affiliate of the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University.

With approximately 240 researchers from 21 different nationalities, TLL’s vision is to build a pre-eminent organisation of global talent to undertake bio-molecular science research and applications for the benefit of Asia and beyond. Its research programmes in the food-agri biotech space shows how science and technology can help meet food security challenges and improve food supply.

TLL’s primary focus lies in understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie the development and physiology of plants, fungi and animals. Such research provides new understanding of how organisms function and foundation for biotechnology innovation.

TLL has an international network of partnerships with hopes to benefit the development of the biotechnology industry in Singapore through collaborations and joint research ventures with local and international partners.

Research:

TLL’s current research interests lie in cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, pathogenesis and bioinformatics. Utilizing a range of molecular and cell biology approaches and computational data mining, TLL focuses primarily on understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie the development and physiology of plants, fungi and animals. This research provides new understanding of how organisms function and also provides the foundation for biotechnological innovation.

Research Groups:

PhD/Graduate Programme:

TLL offers an intensive PhD program to prepare the next generation of scientists for exciting careers in the Life Sciences.

With state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, students and staff from over 23 countries and a team of dedicated support staff, the graduate program provides the highest level of training possible. A key tenet is TLL's open, collegial atmosphere that fosters productive scientific interactions between students, postdoctoral fellows and PIs.

Through the program, students regularly publish in the most prestigious research journals and travel widely to present their work at international conferences. All successful applicants receive a fellowship that includes a living stipend.

Research Attachment Programme:

TLL supports training programmes organized by other local institutions on top of running its own training programmes. These training programmes are jointly funded by NUS and TLL. This eight-week programme is conducted at TLL once a year from November to December.

Temasek Foundation Nurtures

Temasek Foundation Nurtures is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation that funds and supports programmes focused on education and professional development.

It aims to develop talent and foster learning and growth, especially for youths to make the leap in areas such as music, arts, sports, math and science, engineering and technology. The establishment of the foundation stems from the belief that education is a key building block of sustainable national development and can improve the quality of lives.

Temasek Foundation Nurtures oversees the David Marshall Endowment, EW Barker Endowment, Tay Eng Soon Endowment, Music Endowments and Sunburst Scholarship.

Endowments

David Marshall Endowment

The David Marshall Endowment seeks to cultivate talented students with a passion and gift for the arts. It provides grants to institutions such as the School for the Arts (SOTA) and other Singapore organisations with a focus in the arts.

EW Barker Endowment

The EW Barker Endowment provides scholarships for high-performing student athletes, overseas training stints and competitions that offer these students experience and exposure. The EW Barker Endowment also funds the highly customised School-within-a-School Programme that fits study needs into prioritised sport training programme, helping 55 student athletes realise their sporting potential and academic aspirations via customised curricula.

Tay Eng Soon Endowment

The Tay Eng Soon Endowment focuses on the advancement of young individuals gifted in the field of science and mathematics. It provides grants to institutions such as NUS High School and other Singapore organisations with a focus in mathematics and science.

Music Endowments

Temasek Foundation Nurtures manages two music endowments to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra with the goal to advance music in Singapore.

Sunburst Scholarship

Temasek Foundation Nurtures’ Sunburst Scholarship offers bond free scholarships to Singaporeans and youth from Asia who are able to demonstrate academic excellence, a stellar track record in co-curricular activities, leadership skills and participation in social/community work. The scholarships are for full-time Diploma or Basic Degree studies at Singapore polytechnics and universities. Courses include chemical and life sciences, engineering and technology, media studies, architecture and built environment, arts and social sciences and information technology among others.

Temasek Foundation Ecosperity

Temasek Foundation Ecosperity is a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation that funds and supports strategic and impact-driven programmes focused on championing the sustainability of the global ecosystem and the development of innovative solutions to improve liveability.

Established in 2016, it aims to bring about enduring solutions, systems and capabilities against environmental, biological and other adversities in Singapore and beyond. It also strives to develop and nurture a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as promote sustainable best practices and standards.

Temasek Foundation Ecosperity has supported the development and engineering of the AIR+ Smart Mask and Airbitat Smart Cooler.

AIR+ Smart Mask

In 2013, Temasek and ST Engineering piloted the AIR+ Smart Mask project to provide N95 protection to Singapore communities, in particular children, from the harmful effects of haze.

It has the world’s first attachable and rechargeable micro ventilator that extracts moisture, carbon dioxide and heat trapped within the mask for better comfort. With the micro ventilator, it is able to reduce relative humidity inside the face mask by up to 40% and reduce temperature by up to 4 °C.

Airbitat Smart Cooler

The Airbitat Smart Cooler was developed by Innosparks, an ST Engineering subsidiary, to provide outdoor cooling in Singapore (down to around 24 °C) in an environmentally sustainable way. It is the world’s first energy-efficient evaporative cooling system with only 20% the energy consumption of an average air conditioner – making it ideal for commercial, industrial and recreational spaces.