[8 May 2001]
Mrs Ho Lien Fung Realises Ho Rih Hwa Leadership
in Asia Public Lecture Series with S$500,000 Donation
to Singapore Management University
MRS HO LIEN FUNG, wife of former
Singapore Ambassador, Mr Ho Rih Hwa, will celebrate
her birthday with a S$500,000 donation towards the
establishment of the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia
Public Lecture Series, in honour of her late husband's
business and entrepreneurial achievements.
The series aims at exposing SMU
students and the public to the views of accomplished
entrepreneurs and business/ political leaders from
within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region. The Singapore
Management University (SMU) will organise one lecture
a year, focusing on business issues and topics relevant
to the global landscape.
The idea for this lectureship series
arose when Mrs Ho attended a series of public lectures,
funded by an endowed lecture series in memory of
her late husband's classmate, Prof Wu Teh Yao. Triggered
by her personal interest and experience with international
ventures and cross-cultural issues, Mrs Ho felt that
a similar programme concentrating on areas relevant
to her husband's own global business endeavours would
be beneficial to others.
Mr and Mrs Ho, both alumni of Cornell
University, were partners in business. Together,
they pioneered the tapioca starch business, with
Mr Ho providing the business acumen and Mrs Ho contributing
her technical training as a chemist. Mrs Ho, in her
role as the Ambassador's wife, maintained a prominent
position both in business and in her capacity as
an active volunteer. For several years while in Thailand,
she devoted much time and effort to fundraising.
She was also a well-known columnist for the Straits
Times with her regular bilingual column, Bamboo Green,
which was published in book form.
The couple have three children:
the middle son, Ho Kwon Ping, who is Chairman of
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Chairman of
the Board of Trustees, SMU. A successful businessman
and entrepreneur, he has extended the family business
from trading and agro-industry to hotels and resorts
development and management
an accomplished eldest daughter, author Ho Min Fong,
who has published three books and won various awards
and prizes
the youngest, Ho Kwon Cjan, who is a talented architect,
reputed for his innovative work as the chief architect
of all Banyan Tree's hotels and resorts.
A Brief Biography of Mr Ho Rih Hwa
(1917 - Aug 1999):
Stories and quotes from 'Eating
Salt - An Autobiography' by the late Mr Ho Rih Hwa
Quote from the book:
"Success is a journey, not a destination".
He was the son of a boat builder.
Enthusiastic, honest and hardworking and with the
support of his wife Lien Fung, Mr Ho began his career
by trading in tungsten ore and then ventured further
to set up many factories across Asia, revolutionising
the process of producing starch from mung beans and
tapioca products.
He was asked to be involved in
the establishment and operations of the Economic
Development Board in Thailand and later took on the
role of Ambassador of Singapore to Thailand, Belgium
and Germany. As Ambassador, Mr Ho was entitled to
an annual salary but chose not to receive any payment
for the role as he was proud to be able to serve
his country.
Mr Ho, with his family, lived in
exotic places around the world: Thailand, Burma,
Singapore, Belgium, Germany and the U.S., giving
them a truly global experience, both in business
and personally.
Trading under the umbrella of the
Thai Wah Company and later the Walon Company, Mr
Ho's successful business ventures were varied. |
