A Lecturer’s Lasting Connection: Accountancy Alumni Establish New Bursary
Inspired by former lecturer Mr Alton Neo, alumni from SIT’s pioneer Accountancy cohorts have established the Accountancy Alumni Bursary, extending their support to students in need.
A Network of Support
When Mr Alton Neo joined SIT as a full-time lecturer in 2014, the University was still in its early years at the Dover Campus. As one of the pioneer faculty members of the Accountancy programme, he was drawn to SIT’s emphasis on applied learning, an approach he felt was essential for aspiring accountancy and business professionals.
Today, Mr Neo remains close to graduates from the Classes of 2017 and 2018, celebrating milestones ranging from career achievements to weddings. Shared study sessions, conversations and meals near campus laid the foundation for relationships that have endured long after graduation.
“Every student’s life that I have touched is important to me,” he says. “It has been deeply rewarding to have been part of their journeys.”
For alumnus Mr Zulkhairi Yaacob, Mr Neo has been “the glue” keeping the group connected.
“What started as a lecturer-student relationship has grown into a genuine friendship,” he shares. “He has been a trusted mentor and friend, and it is inspiring to see how committed he is to giving back to students and the SIT community.”
Turning Care into Action
Having encountered students facing financial and personal challenges over the years, Mr Neo wanted to create a form of support that could ease that burden. To turn the idea into reality, he championed the establishment of the Accountancy Alumni Bursary with a S$1,000 seed gift and pledged to match contributions dollar for dollar, inviting former students to join him.
“I have seen students who did not come from well-to-do families and lacked opportunities,” he says. “If I could lend them a hand, whether financially or by opening doors for them, I would.”
His example resonated with alumni from the Class of 2017 who understood first-hand how financial assistance can shape a student’s university experience.
Ms Yip Pei Wen relied on bursaries to help cover expenses such as food, books and study materials while studying at SIT.
“The bursaries really helped my family,” she says. “They taught me to appreciate what we have, no matter how much or how little. Being able to contribute now is my way of paying it forward.”
Her SIT memories are closely tied to classmates who worked hard and unwound together after project discussions and study sessions.
“We really embodied the ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality,” she says. “While grades are important, learning to find a balance between studies and student life is just as important.”
Mr Yaacob also understands the relief that financial assistance can bring. As his father was the family’s sole breadwinner, the student aid Mr Yaacob received from MENDAKI helped ease the burden on his family.
“If my contribution can help someone focus more on their studies and personal growth, then it is something I am happy to do,” he says. “Seeing Alton start the seed funding and match every donation made the decision even easier, because every dollar could have twice the impact.”
SIT’s applied learning approach also gave Mr Yaacob the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond the accountancy profession. After beginning his career in banking regulation, he moved into consumer insights consulting, a field more commonly associated with marketing.
“SIT taught me to think critically, solve problems and keep learning,” he says. “Those skills gave me the confidence to step outside a traditional career path and adapt to new opportunities.”
Mr Sean Ooi, who is self-employed, was motivated to contribute by a simple belief: “Everyone has the potential to achieve greatness, and that potential should not be limited by one’s inability to get a proper education.”
Through SIT’s Integrated Work Study Programme, Mr Ooi secured a role with a Big Four accounting firm. The experience provided a strong foundation for his career, which later took him to a leading global e-commerce company before he started his own sales business.
“Alton has been a wonderful mentor and friend to all of us,” Mr Ooi says. “We still meet, share ideas and help one another in whatever capacity we can. He has been a great role model and has made an impact on all our lives.”
Coming Home, Giving Forward
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On 26 June 2026, a group of alumni from the Class of 2017 Accountancy programme reunited with Mr Neo at SIT Punggol Campus. They toured the classrooms, Bloomberg laboratory and Ngee Ann Kongsi Library, revisiting memories of late-night study sessions and group projects while seeing how SIT’s learning environment had evolved.
For Ms Yip, reconnecting with her classmates felt natural despite the years that had passed.
“I was happy to see how friends we had not met in a long time could still chat as if we had just finished a lecture,” she says. “It was also heartwarming to see how spontaneously everyone came together to contribute.”
“It feels surreal that SIT has come such a long way,” Mr Neo reflects, recalling the University’s early days at Dover Campus and witnessing its growth in Punggol.
More than financial aid, the Accountancy Alumni Bursary reflects a community of lecturers and alumni who remain invested in the success of students who follow in their footsteps.
Recalling the friendships and experiences that shaped her own time at SIT, Ms Yip hopes recipients will be able to focus on their studies while making the most of university life. “I hope the bursary lightens your load so that you can focus on your studies,” Ms Yip says. “Work hard, play hard and make the best of your time at SIT.”
Mr Yaacob hopes recipients will remember that the gift reflects the support of those who continue to look out for one another long after graduation. When they are in a position to do so, he hopes they will extend the same support to others.
Mr Ooi’s message is equally clear: “Pay it forward and continue the legacy we have built for future cohorts and generations.”
Mr Neo also encourages recipients to look beyond the gift and learn from those who came before them.
“Speak to your seniors and find out how far they have come and what their journeys have been like,” he says. “Their experiences can offer value that goes beyond the financial support provided by the bursary.”
As technology continues to reshape accountancy and business, Mr Neo urges students to remain adaptable and committed to learning.
“Despite the uncertainty surrounding how businesses and accountancy will evolve in the era of new technology, many skills remain relevant, including higher-order thinking,” he says. “Keep learning, believe in yourselves and do what you do best. To stay ahead of AI, you’ll need to continue developing the knowledge and judgement that will keep you ahead of the curve.”
To make a gift to the Accountancy Alumni Bursary, visit the One SITizen Alumni Initiative page and select “Accountancy Alumni Bursary” under “Fund to Support”. Every contribution – big or small – will make an impact on a student’s journey and support them in pursuing their aspirations.