Business leader gives to advance research into ageing
February 11, 2017
Mr Leong Mun Sum
Mr LEONG Mun Sum, Managing Director of the Leung Kai Fook Medical Company (LKF), made a gift to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Science to support research on addressing the needs of an ageing population.
The research will seek to identify natural and cost-effective treatments for conditions commonly faced by the elderly, such as arthritis.
Mr Leong’s interest in research, and ageing in particular, stems from the nature of his business, and the challenges that lie ahead for Singapore. He explains, “Research is very important to a medical company. LKF is no exception. But, we have very few resources to do basic research. We hope teaming up with a university will help lead to advances in research.”
“There is much publicity around the government’s plans to address the needs of the ageing population. It is one of my hopes that NUS will come up with solutions to help the elderly.”
The businessman, a pharmacist by training, also understands the multiplier effect of the community coming together to make a difference. “There is a Chinese saying – 拋 砖 引 玉 – throw a stone and attract the jade. I hope that a small company like LKF, by throwing a piece of stone, can attract large companies and organisations to join us by throwing large pieces of jade into the medical, pharmaceutical research, education pool and create a wave,” he shares.
Corporate social responsibility is one of the pillars of LKF, which was founded by Mr Leong’s father in 1928. “My father’s contributions to charities and education are well-known. Today we continue to be an enterprise that practises the philosophy 取 于 社 会 ， 回 归 社 会 : take from society and return to society,” says Mr Leong, who himself has won the Public Service Medal and Public Service Star for his valuable public service to the people of Singapore.
LKF, a home-grown Singapore company, manufactures Axe Brand, one of the leading brands of medicated oil in Asia. Mr Leong also made a gift to set up the Leong Mun Sum Scholarship at the NUS Department of Pharmacy.
The impact of research can be felt far beyond the walls of NUS and the shores of Singapore.
To find out more about making a gift to fund a research project, please contact askdvo@nus.edu.sg or call 1-800-DEVELOP (1-800-338-3567).
