The University Scholars Programme (USP) has received a generous prize gift from USP alum and faculty member Dr Mustafa Izzuddin (Political Science + USP, Class of 2005) to establish the “Izzuddin Taherally Prize” which will be given to outstanding graduating USP students.

This prize is named after Mr Izzuddin Taherally, Dr Mustafa’s father, who is a well-respected Indian Gujarati leader of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore. After Mr Izzuddin lost his father at age 11, he was so impoverished that he could not even afford a proper home and also had to cut short his education to work and support the family. Against all odds, he rose to become a household name in the Malay/Muslim community.

Mr Izzuddin is the longest-serving president of the Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM), a long-serving trustee and vice chairman of Masjid Burhani, and one of the longest-serving board members of Yayasan Mendaki. He has also been serving as a council member of the National Youth Achievement Award for many years. In recognition of his contribution to Singapore, Mr Izzuddin was conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) and the Public Service Star (BBM). He has also been bestowed the Jasa Cemerlang (Excellent Service) award by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), conferred the title of Shaikh (learned) by the Dawoodi Bohra leadership in India, and appointed a Justice of the Peace in Singapore.

On why Dr Mustafa Izzuddin decided to establish a prize and his hopes for the recipients, he shared,

“I decided to make this donation as my student life was positively impacted by my USP journey and I would like others to have a similar experience. I would like recipients of this prize to continue with their efforts on promoting social harmony and in particular, interfaith dialogue, whether in Singapore or elsewhere.”