By Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA)
On June 1, 2025, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and BBSB Holdings Sdn Bhd (previously Bridgex Bina Sdn Bhd) signed a donation agreement to support a Master’s scholarship in the structural engineering program for a Malaysian student, commencing in August 2025. The scholarship, valued at THB 1 million, includes guaranteed employment with BBSB Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is a well-recognized structural reinforced concrete bridge contractor company in Malaysia and the region.
BBSB Holdings Sdn Bhd, under the leadership of Managing Director Datuk Ir. Tan Chin Nyan, a distinguished AIT alumnus from the Structural Engineering Class of 1986, has continued to support Malaysian students’ access to world-class education at AIT. BBSB Holdings Sdn Bhd, based in Malaysia, commenced its operations in 2007 as a structural reinforced concrete bridge contractor. Over the years, the company has grown into a leading construction firm, expanding its expertise to undertake large-scale bridge construction works involving all kinds of bridge structures, elevated highway and road infrastructures.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li, virtually delivered his remarks during the ceremony, expressed gratitude to Datuk Ir. Tan Chin Nyan for his continued generosity in sponsoring the fourth Master’s scholarship in the Structural Engineering program for a Malaysian student for the August 2025 intake. He mentioned that the previous 3 full Master’s scholarships (totaling THB 3 million) provided over the last few years and the present fourth full scholarship (THB 1 million) reflect his unwavering commitment to empowering academically bright students to pursue a master’s degree at AIT, transforming their lives and careers through world-class education. He stated that such transformative partnerships demonstrate the enduring commitment of AIT alumni to supporting the next generation of engineering leaders. He also thanked Mr. Tiger Leong, President of the AITAA Malaysia Chapter, for his unwavering support towards coordinating and facilitating the scholarship. Adding that through his leadership, the alumni themselves have been collectively supporting scholarships valued at THB 1 million every other year starting from 2024.
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director, AIT Office of Advancement & Alumni Affairs, expressed appreciation to Datuk Ir. Tan Chin Nyan for the continued scholarship support over the years. He highlighted that the increased support for living and travel allowances will make the BBSB Holdings Sdn Bhd prestigious scholarship much more attractive and incentivize high-caliber Malaysian students. He also thanked Dr. Geoff Chao, Head of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Department, and Dr. Chaitanya Krishna G., Assistant Professor, Structural Engineering, for their inputs in customizing a comprehensive support package that will incentivize academically qualified Malaysian students to apply for this prestigious scholarship.
Datuk Ir. Tan, Managing Director of BBSB Holdings Sdn Bhd and a recipient of the prestigious Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (D.P.S.M) award, expressed thanks to AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li and Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe. He assured continued plans to provide similar support for future intakes from August 2026 onwards. He mentioned that this scholarship, with its work-bonded agreement, is about creating a pipeline of skilled engineers who will drive innovation at BBSB and beyond.
The ceremony was also attended by Mr. King Ho Leong (Tiger), President of the AITAA Malaysia Chapter; Dr. Leong Geok Wen, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaysia; Mr. Low Hui Seng (AIT Alumnus, Energy 1984); Mr. Lai Yip Poon (SE 2009); Mr. Tan Juat Ngoh (SEC 1988); and Mr. Tang Yu Hoe (CEM 2001).
