GIVING
CDE Donor Wall event: Honouring our donors
Behind every scholarship, research breakthrough, and student-led innovation at CDE is a community of supporters who make it possible. On 30 January 2026, that community came together for CDE’s Major Donor Recognition – Donor Wall event.
More than 60 donors and partners attended the afternoon gathering, reaffirming the strong partnership between CDE and its benefactors.
Launched in August 2024, the CDE Donor Wall, Our Circle of Patrons, recognises individuals and organisations whose contributions strengthen education, research, and student development. The event marked the continued growth of this circle of supporters and the shared purpose that unites them.
In his welcome address, CDE Dean Professor Teo Kie Leong thanked donors for their belief in the College’s mission. “Today is a meaningful occasion as we come together to recognise your support and to celebrate our commitment to education and innovation,” he said.
He noted that donors have played “an important role in strengthening our mission and advancing our ability to educate future-ready graduates,” underscoring how partnership enables CDE to build an environment where ideas translate into real-world outcomes.
Prof Teo highlighted the Innovation and Design Programme, or iDP, as a key pillar of this ecosystem. The programme brings together students from different disciplines to integrate design, engineering, and entrepreneurship in tackling practical challenges. “Through iDP, students are empowered to develop solutions that create meaningful impact,” he said.
He cited Moonbeam Co as one example. The interdisciplinary venture began as an iDP capstone project and later expanded with support from the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre’s (EDIC) Entrepreneur Fellowship programme. The team continues to work with current iDP students, reinforcing what Prof Teo described as “a virtuous cycle of learning, innovation, and giving back.”
Dr Jovan Tan, Director of the Sustainability Action and Innovation Lab and Lecturer at EDIC, elaborated on how interdisciplinary design education equips students to address complex, real-world issues and sustain student-led innovation.
His sharing reinforced how sustained partnership strengthens interdisciplinary learning and student innovation across CDE. In recognition of this support, plaques were presented to donors whose contributions continue to shape the College’s educational and research landscape.
The afternoon concluded with a reception, where donors engaged with one another and faculty members.
“As we look ahead, we see today not as an endpoint, but as the continuation of our journey,” Prof Teo said.
The event reaffirmed a shared belief: sustained partnership strengthens CDE’s ability to educate, innovate, and prepare the next generation of designers and engineers.