Engineering Good (EG) and Kaplan Singapore (KSG) have formalised a partnership which will see the two organisations doing good for vulnerable communities in Singapore as well as the environment. Themed, ‘Revive, Reconnect, Reimagine: Empowering Communities, Sustaining the Environment’, the comprehensive partnership will see cooperation in the form of donations, volunteering opportunities and collaboration possibilities to benefit low-income families and the disabled and to ensure that electronic waste is responsibly recycled. 

KSG staff, students and alumni will be actively encouraged to donate their used electronic devices at a collection point which has been set up on Kaplan’s campus. In addition to donating devices, KSG staff, students and alumni can also volunteer by supporting activities or events conducted by EG in various capacities such as assisting with collection, sorting or refurbishing devices. The partnership will also explore possible collaborations such as sustainability projects to reduce e-waste in corporate organisations and KSG students working on real-world problems in the form of solution-based projects under the Kaplan Industry Project.

Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Social and Family Development graced the event as Guest-of-Honour. Chua witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between EG and KSG. To kickstart the initiative, Chua together with EG CEO Patrick Hee and KSG President Dr Susie Khoo donated used electronic devices at the event.  

At the event, Chua lauded the partnership between EG and KSG as a commendable effort which not only helps save the environment, but also helps segments of the community harness technology to improve their lives. He also highlighted the importance of such partnerships in uplifting those in need.  

Patrick Hee, CEO of Engineering Good explained his organisation’s goals and what he hopes to achieve from the partnership “At Engineering Good, our main thrusts include bridging the digital divide, reducing carbon and e-waste and helping persons with disabilities live a life of independence and opportunity via technology and engineering solutions. As an established private education institute in Singapore, we see that Kaplan’s CSR goals are aligned with ours and this heartens us.”

“Today, Engineering Good supports over 200 social service agencies in Singapore and our collective efforts with our volunteers and partners have seen nearly 8,000 laptops and devices being distributed to various beneficiaries. By working together with Kaplan, we hope to increase these numbers to benefit even more people.”

Dr Susie Khoo, President of Kaplan Singapore shared about Kaplan’s CSR programme and how it dovetails with the partnership with EG, “The Kaplan Initiative for Nurturing Development or KIND Programme is Kaplan’s integrated CSR effort which brings together the various activities and good work done by different groups in Kaplan such as our staff, students and alumni. KIND reflects Kaplan’s commitment to create shared value for society by supporting growth and development of individuals and communities.” 

“We therefore hope that by partnering with Engineering Good, our staff, students and alumni will also get to do good for the individuals and communities that we serve as well as the environment.”

For this partnership, EG and KSG target to salvage an estimated 220kg worth of electronic devices comprising laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and wired keyboards and mice. Of these, those found suitable for re-use or refurbishing will stand to benefit some of the social service agencies EG supports. Those assessed to be unsuitable will be harvested for parts and responsibly recycled thereafter.