Mr Wong Niap Leng, also affectionately known as Ah Leng, was a hero to earlier generations of NUS medical students because of his kindness to cash-strapped students who couldn’t pay for their meals, or even their school fees.
When the National University of Singapore (NUS) celebrated National Day last year, it paid special tribute to NUS Everyday Icons – loyal and long-serving present and former staff members who have served the University over the years.
Retired canteen operator Mr Wong Niap Leng, affectionately known as Ah Leng to several generations of students from the University’s Outram campus, was one of the staff members to receive the honours. Mr Wong was a hero to the pioneers in the NUS medical fraternity because of his legendary kindness to cash-strapped students who couldn’t pay for their meals, or even their school fees.
His story is so inspiring that alumni have come together to honour Ah Leng by giving to the bursary that is named after him.
“I have heard of so many heartwarming stories about Mr Wong Niap Leng and his willingness to help medical students in need of financial assistance. Just as NUS Medicine celebrates its 110th anniversary, it was timely to honour him as an outstanding individual who has contributed to the school’s history and development with a named bursary. I am glad to be able to do my part in helping to set up the Wong Niap Leng Medical Bursary. This bursary will provide much needed financial assistance to these needy medical students, just like how Ah Leng did in the past,” shares Professor PC Wong, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, who championed the fundraising for the Bursary.
Ah Leng’s canteen was a popular hangout for medical, dentistry and pharmaceutical undergraduates. Associate Professor A Ilancheran, a medical alumnus, was a frequent visitor. “I have seen him help many of the medical students who would eat in his canteen on “loan”. He kept their accounts in his very famous “555” small notebooks and the students could pay back when they could. It was his empathy and trust of the students that has remained in my memory all these years,” he recollects.
When asked why he saw a need to help the students Mr Wong said, “I see the students every day and they are like family. I empathised with the students who had to cope with the hard work and hardship in pursuing their studies. They asked and I could not refuse. For residents of the Federated Malay States Hostel and later King Edward VII Hall, it was like a home away from home.”
Over the years, many have showed their appreciation of Mr Wong, who receives numerous invitations to medical class anniversary dinners and which he occasionally attends.
The notebook that was used to keep track of money owed to him by medical students is on display at the Singapore General Hospital Museum.
To make a gift to the “Wong Niap Leng Medical Bursary”, visit our online donation portal (https://nus.edu/2feVGx4) or contact us at giving_med@nus.edu.sg or call 6772 3737.