Daisy Phay Foundation donates another $150,000 to Singapore Polytechnic
More good, needy and deserving students in Singapore Polytechnic (SP) will now be able to benefit from the Daisy Phay Foundation with its latest donation. On 21 October 2019, Mr Ng Hark Cheng and Mr Chee Wai Pong, trustees of the Daisy Phay Foundation, presented a cheque totalling $150,000 to Mr Soh Wai Wah, Principal and CEO of SP.
The Daisy Phay Foundation endowment fund was started in 2010 with a 2.1 million donation from the estate of the late Dr Phay Seng Whatt, in memory of his wife, Daisy. In 2014 and 2017, the Foundation donated 4.4 million more. With matching grants from SP and the Ministry Of Education, the Daisy Phay Foundation endowment fund will total up to 15.375 million.
The late Dr Phay Seng Whatt studied medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine on a Singapore Government scholarship. Upon graduation, he joined the municipal service and served as the Superintendent of Middleton Hospital and the Municipal Bacteriologist.
Dr Phay was the Chairman of the Public Service Commission from 1962 to 1975 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in 1963. When Dr Phay passed away in 2009, the President of Singapore at that time, Mr S R Nathan, in his tribute to Dr Phay, said “Many present and past members of the Public Service will remember him for the judgments he exercised in the selection and promotion of public servants to many a key positions, in those early years of our Statehood. I was among that group that he nurtured to take up responsible positions in the Public Service.”
Mrs Daisy Phay was a dedicated housewife who devoted her life to Dr Phay. She had a pleasant personality and was always ready to help others in need. A devout Christian who enjoyed serving in the church community and beyond, she provided counselling and
support to people, particularly the sick.
Mr Soh said, “I became friends with Dr and Mrs Phay in the latter years of their lives. The generosity of the Daisy Phay Foundation is reflective of how this couple had been so giving in their lives. I am deeply grateful to them personally as well
as on behalf of Singapore Polytechnic.”
We would like to sincerely thank the Foundation for their generous contributions that will benefit SP students for many years to come.