First-ever virtual edition in run’s 11-year history
Singapore, 16 January 2021 — The 11th NUS BSA Charity Run (BCR) – an annual flagship event of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School – has attracted over 500 participants and raised more than S$525,000 as of 16 January in its first-ever virtual event.
In spite of the pandemic, people are still running and donating to charity. Presented by the NUS Business School Alumni Association (NUSBSA) and supported by BIZAlum, the School’s alumni office and the student-led NUS Bizad Club, BCR 2021 has seen donations surpassing past years’ figures, even though the donation period will only close by the end of this month.
The amount raised surpasses last year’s S$475,000 record and will go towards NUS Business School student bursaries and the TOUCH Emergency Relief Fund, an initiative by local charity organisation TOUCH Community Services. The relief fund helps low-income families affected by the pandemic.
Over the past 10 years, the BSA Charity Run (formerly known as Bizad Charity Run) had attracted 11,500 participants and raised over S$1.77 million. This translated to more than 180 bursary awards for needy undergraduates and support for 13 social services agencies.
BCR participants running at East Coast Park in Singapore.
“We are thankful to the NUS Business School Alumni Association for helping to raise funds for our beneficiaries during these unprecedented times. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the needs of distressed families and the elderly in their struggles. Even as we continue to shore up support for these vulnerable groups, we are heartened by the students’ acts of kindness to rally the community in support of the disadvantaged in society, and for journeying with us,” said Ms Joyce Ang, Assistant Director (Partnership & Volunteer Management), TOUCH Community Services.
Due to the pandemic and social distancing regulations, BCR 2021 was held virtually this year. From 1 to 14 January, participants could choose wherever they wanted to run, so long as they could show proof of their completion of 11 km in the individual run or 111 km in the team run.
Special Guest, Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, who kicked off the run virtually, said, “We have seen how the pandemic has taken a toll on many families and individuals. These uncertain times have been challenging in many ways, to those facing difficulties. It is heartening to see the support of over 500 participants and many other donors who have collectively raised more than S$525,000.”
NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, in today’s virtual closing ceremony, said, “I commend the organising team for their determination and creativity by having the event take place virtually with those taking part submitting their proof of completion. It is heartening to know that despite the challenges of 2020, the NUS Business School and her alumni have rallied together to support a charitable cause.”
This year, the virtual run’s participants included NUS Business School’s alumni from overseas such as China, India and the Middle East.
NUS alumni running in Shanghai.
Mr Zhang Runbin, Vice President of the NUS Shanghai Alumni Chapter and President of the Eastern China Alumni Network, NUS Business School, is one of them. The NUS Executive MBA (Chinese) alumnus, who ran in Shanghai, said, “Through the school’s flagship BSA Charity Run, alumni from different regions of the world ‘reunited’ virtually. Running with fellow alumni and running for charity make the run more meaningful. The past year had been extraordinary, we further treasure what we have, as well as recognise the importance of helping others. Hopefully, 2021 will be a year of gratitude and brightness.”
Donations, which are open to non-runners, can be made at www.bcr2021.com till 31 January 2021.
BCR 2021 chairperson Jeannette Chan (left) and her son running in Punggol, Singapore.
For media enquiries, please contact:
ANG Hui Min
Manager, Corporate Communications
NUS Business School
National University of Singapore
Tel: +65 6601 5857
Email: huimin19@nus.edu.sg
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 17 faculties across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established our NUS Overseas Colleges programme in more than 15 cities around the world.
Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, 31 university-level research institutes, research centres of excellence and corporate labs focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.
For more information on NUS, please visit www.nus.edu.sg.
About NUS Business School
The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School is known for providing management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, enabling its students and corporate partners to leverage global knowledge and Asian insights.
The school has consistently received top rankings in the Asia-Pacific region by independent publications and agencies, such as The Financial Times, Economist Intelligence Unit, and QS Top MBA, in recognition of the quality of its programmes, faculty research and graduates.
The school is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), endorsements that the school has met the highest standards for business education. The school is also a member of the GMA (Graduate Management Admission) Council, Executive MBA Council, Partnership in Management (PIM) and CEMS (Community of European Management Schools).
For more information, please visit bschool.nus.edu.sg, or go to the BIZBeat portal, which showcases the School’s research.
