Dr Stephen Riady, executive chairman of OUE Limited and winner of this year's EY Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence award, may be best known for his business acumen. After all, he runs one of South-east Asia's most successful businesses.

But the 58-year-old's philanthropic efforts are also world-renowned.

He set up the Stephen Riady Group of Foundations in 2010 in collaboration with Credit Suisse Private Banking, as a philanthropic platform consisting of seven foundations in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Guided by his personal philosophy, the Group is dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged in the community through education, acquiring knowledge and life skills. These in turn enable them to earn a living and rally others in the community to serve and give back to those around them.

Spurring future generations

Since its inception, the Stephen Riady Group of Foundations have donated generously to worthy causes in Hong Kong and Singapore and hope to inspire future generations to keep giving.

The main causes supported are in the areas of education (trainee programmes, scholarships and social entrepreneurship), humanitarian and social development.

In Singapore, the Stephen Riady Foundation has donated to The President's Challenge, Stephen Riady Centre at University Town, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Business Federation Foundation, NTUC Auditorium, and more recently, The Stephen Riady Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Program at NUS.

Dr Riady says: "Through the Stephen Riady Group of Foundations, I hope that we can make a difference and improve the lives of individuals from underprivileged, disadvantaged and impoverished backgrounds through education, empowerment and engagement."

Visit www.stephenriadyfoundations.org for more information.