On 28 January 2008, SMU announced that the Ho Bee Group had generously given the university $3 million to establish the endowed Ho Bee Professorship in Chinese Economy and Business. The Ho Bee Professorship provides the opportunity for a distinguished visiting professor to advance education and research in the area of Chinese entrepreneurship and business within the larger context of the Chinese economy. It also represents the first gift by the Ho Bee Group to a university. The Guest of Honour at the launch was Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, and Special Guest Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Finance.

During the event, SMU President, Professor Hunter, acknowledged Ho Bee Group Chairman, Mr Chua Thian Poh, for his foresight to inspire the creation of the professorship. As Chairman of Business China, and President of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Chua has demonstrated his understanding of the relevance and impact business in China has on the world economy and therefore the importance of a professorship that will foster an enhanced understanding of new and innovative business practices in China. Mr Chua has long been recognised for his personal philanthropic activity and insightful support of education.

This prestigious professorship will be awarded to an eminent individual who is an internationally acclaimed research scholar. The professor appointed will be a true leader in his or her field and will have made considerable contributions to the Chinese economy and  business.  The  Ho  Bee  Professor  will  also  be  a

passionate academic – a quality that many of the faculty at SMU share. The Ho Bee Professorship in Chinese Economy and Business adds to SMU’s five existing chairs in the fields of accounting, banking, economics and law.

“The Ho Bee Professorship will hopefully enable new ground to be covered to advance the study of the Chinese economy and business at the Singapore Management University. And in turn, we hope that it would result in uncovering new areas of interest for students, faculty and the business community in Singapore.”
– Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman, Ho Bee Group