NGEE Ann Polytechnic alumni marked their alma mater's 45th anniversary by planting 45 trees around the campus last Friday.

Earlier in the day, a cheque of $5.7 million from the Ngee Ann Kongsi was also presented to the school.

Since 1972, the foundation has been donating 75 per cent of its income earned the previous year to the polytechnic.

But with the amendment to the Ngee Ann Kongsi (Incorporation) Ordinance, which was passed in July last year, the foundation will now donate only 25 per cent of its income to the polytechnic.

The change allows the foundation to contribute to other educational and charitable organisations.

Ngee Ann principal Chia Mia Chiang said the foundation, polytechnic and the Education Ministry decided that the foundation should decrease the amount of donations to the polytechnic because it has established a $130 million endowment fund.

He said: 'We will be losing a little from now on, but the Kongsi will be able to donate to other education institutions in Singapore. There will be a net gain for education in Singapore.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 3 Nov, 2008.