- New fund to support research into cardiology, maternal and child health, diabetes, oncology, infectious diseases
- Up to S$5 million per year set to be distributed to a range of medical research projects
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 28 September 2023 – Tanoto Foundation has today announced the launch of a new Medical Research Fund that will provide up to S$5 million per year in funding to support research into a range of diseases that are prevalent in Singapore, in the areas of cardiology, maternal and child health, diabetes, oncology and infectious diseases.
The Fund will prioritise research projects in the cardiology and maternal and child health areas in its first year of operation. Projects will be selected based on a number of specific criteria and will be reviewed and assessed by an external advisory panel comprised of clinical experts and medical professionals.
The clinical areas were selected based on their impact on local populations in Singapore and the wider region – e.g.: about one in three deaths in Singapore is due to heart disease or stroke and it is estimated that the number of people living with cancer will continue to increase, while improving maternal and newborn health remains a key focus of public policy in Singapore and in other countries in the region.
Belinda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation, said: “We have set up this Fund as a way to consolidate our support for medical research. The Fund will focus on these five clinical areas, which affect the lives of thousands of people in Singapore and Asia”.
“We aim to support research projects that are first in their field and game-changing, potentially addressing healthcare concerns for diseases common in Singapore and the region, and to cultivate local research talent. In addition, we also aim to attract additional funding into medical research initiatives here in Singapore and in neighbouring countries,” said Ms. Tanoto.
The criteria which will be used to evaluate proposals submitted to the Fund include the following:
- Potential for impact: potential to improve health outcomes, clinical practices and technical capabilities leading to clinical translation and innovation.
- Robustness of approach: relevance and robustness of strategy, methodology and analyses to accomplish project aims and impact outcomes.
- Track record of study team: the excellence and accomplishments of the study team and potential/plan for talent development.
- Strength of collaboration: the collaborative effort of multi-disciplinary teams, ideally involving cross collaboration across Singapore healthcare clusters.
The new Fund, which is the first of its kind to be set up by a private philanthropic organisation in Singapore, will build on Tanoto Foundation’s existing support for medical research in Singapore. Since 2009, the Foundation has given more than S$20 million to support various medical research and healthcare programmes in Singapore.
The Foundation has partnered with SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre to establish Professorships and research initiatives in the areas of diabetes, medical oncology and cardiovascular medicine. Also, last year, in line with nationwide efforts to combat diabetes, Tanoto Foundation joined forces with the National Healthcare Group to set up a diabetes reversal programme in Singapore.
The Fund is also designed to encourage collaboration between medical institutions and to take advantage of Singapore’s standing as a regional hub for medical research.
“The Fund is not just focused on providing monetary support but encouraging collaboration between people, ideas and networks. We also want to strengthen Singapore’s medical research ecosystem by promoting research excellence and better healthcare here and in the wider region. In recent years, Singapore has been able to attract world renowned scientists and healthcare talent and is uniquely positioned to serve as a medical research hub for Asia,” said Ms. Tanoto.
Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Tanoto Foundation
Tanoto Foundation is an independent philanthropic organisation founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto based on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to realise his or her full potential. Tanoto Foundation programmes stem from the belief that quality education accelerates equal opportunity. We harness the transformative strength of education to realise people’s full potential and improve lives. Tanoto Foundation focuses on making an impact in three main areas: improving learning environments, future leader’s development, as well as medical research and sciences. More information is available at www.tanotofoundation.org/en/.
Services
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Stakeholder mapping, analysis, engagement and communication needs to be detailed to avoid business losses or even worse, a crisis. How can you do this effectively to prevent failure? ...
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Data-driven business decisions have never been as crucial, especially in this era. MGBF leverages off, technology, experience and market presence to aid businesses in making accurate decisions. ...
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
MGBF provides comprehensive strategic advice and results-focused solutions to solve clients' problems in business-government relations so they can focus on their core business. ...
BUSINESS & BROADER MARKET ACCESS
A critical business challenge is meeting the right decision-makers and potential buyers through the best channel and platform. How will you improve your business competency? ...
Upcoming Events
‘A WORKING LUNCH WITH NORDIN’: NATIONWIDE TOUR WITH TOYOTA
MGBF founding chairman Nordin Abdullah and UMW Toyota president Datuk Ravindran K. will delve into the convergence of automotive innovation and environmental sustainability in Penang, Sarawak, Johor and Pahang.
MGBF Roundtable: Digitalisation of the Food and Beverage Industry
Hosted by menumiz™ – an end-to-end restaurant management system – this roundtable will feature a case study presentation and a panel session to discuss the latest digital trends, challenges, and opportunities within the food and beverage sector.
THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: A THREAT OF DISRUPTION FOR BUSINESS?
In this episode of 'A Working Lunch with Nordin', MGBF's founding chairman, Nordin Abdullah, will host this discussion focusing on the biggest threats and opportunities for businesses as we look to manage change in the South China Sea.
FOOD SECURITY IN THE BREACH: INDUSTRIALISATION AND WEAPONISATION
This MGBF Roundtable will focus on regional food security issues and trends in the regional supply chain, and trade regulations and policies, including a new geopolitical tool i.e., weaponisation of supply chains.
MGBF In The News

Planet QEOS, KIS BlOCNG San Bhd, and the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) have officially signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework aimed at producing bio-hydrogen via the Steam Biomethane Reforming (SBMR) Process. The MoU was signed by Planet QEOS executive chairman Dino […]

Planet QEOS and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) are interested in investing RM10 billion to co-develop advanced Megawatt peak (MWp) agrovoltaic in Baram, to further boost Sarawak’s green energy initiative and food security. Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was briefed on Friday by both the […]

Last week SPM results came out, 373,974 aspirants who have been waiting patiently over the last few months would now know their fate. Some 10,109 have received all A’s, the golden standard of academic success and the ticket to those looking to study the “more advanced” subjects in university. Proudly, […]
SPM and the Future of Data
June 13, 2023

The classic knee-jerk reaction is to say, fire the coach, change the leadership of associations, and reduce the funding till they start performing better. This kind of negative reinforcement may work for kindergarten children, but we are dealing with high-performance adults – individuals much further along in their psychological and […]

Since its earliest tea plantations in 1929, Cameron Highlands has grown to become a key player in the agricultural landscape of Malaysia, producing 40 per cent of all vegetables grown. Despite Malaysia shifting its economic focus away from agriculture, the industry remains imperative for food security and the livelihoods of […]

Although at first glance the travel industry and the agricultural sector appear to have nothing in common, they actually share more than meets the eye. The economic benefits of tourism to the agricultural sector can be multiplied several times over. “Tourism brings the end consumers closer to the source, which […]

The Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) recently held a high-level roundtable themed ‘Designing the Future of the Digital Economy’, attended by industry leaders and business associations. The guest of honour was Yang Berhormat Syerleena Abdul Rashid, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Bendera in Penang. The MP’s Special Session […]

The Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) will be hosting a roundtable on ‘Designing the Future of the Digital Economy’ on 23 February 2023. It is the culmination of the first three MGBF Exclusive Roundtable Series titled ‘The Evolving Threat Matrix in the Digital Economy’ held throughout 2022. According to the […]
MGBF Roundtable to shape Malaysia’s future in the digital economy
January 27, 2023

The Founding Chairman of the Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF), Nordin Abdullah, today spoke on Bernama TV’s leading English talk show, The Brief, hosted by Jessy Chahal, on the topic of a stable political reality and what that means for the Malaysian economy. Nordin said, “The first thing that it […]
MGBF: Political stability to usher in new era for business
January 3, 2023

More than 1,100 years ago, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was developing the mathematical formulas that we know today as algorithms which now have become so intertwined with the business fortunes of global media giants and the very fabric of geopolitics. A series of recent high level international reports have revealed […]
Death by a Thousand Algorithms
October 25, 2022

KSK Land has been recognised by the Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) for its role in attracting high net-worth individuals to Malaysia post-pandemic. The first challenge in investor attraction is “selling” the country. In the context of Asia, Malaysia is competing with some very established investment destinations. The second […]
KSK Land recognised for investor attraction strategy
August 18, 2022

Malaysia, in particular Kuala Lumpur, continues to position itself as a regional centre to do business, educate a family and enjoy a global lifestyle. One company, KSK Land, has taken the lead in positioning itself and the city of Kuala Lumpur as a property investment destination for the global citizen […]
KSK Land set to drive further investment into Malaysia
August 16, 2022

The upcoming budget represents an opportunity to build resilience in the critical sectors that will form the backbone of the country’s future-facing economic ambitions. This however needs to be achieved in the context of managing the community sectors most impacted by COVID-19 over the past two years. The Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) […]
A Need for Strategic Calm
August 9, 2022
With Change Comes Opportunity
August 8, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 July 2022 – As the global economy continues to deal with unprecedented levels of disruption caused by the pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the convergence of energy security and food security issues has become a front-of-mind issue faced by policy makers and consumers alike. […]

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 June 2022 — Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) ties up with scoutAsia to ensure that businesses are equipped with deeper regional insights. The past two years has seen a massive shift in the way businesses are conducted with digitisation, digitalisation and automation continuously being adopted to improve […]
MALAYSIA GLOBAL BUSINESS FORUM TIES UP WITH SCOUTASIA
June 27, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 May 2022 – The Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF)’s exclusive roundtable on ‘Security Concerns in Critical Value Chains’ was held in a hybrid setting yesterday at the Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The guest of honour was Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, former minister of […]
MGBF Photo Bank
May 24, 2022