Nanyang Technological University (NTU) launched a fund on Thursday in memory of its late professor Ma Jan, who was the chair of its School of Materials Science and Engineering.

Professor Ma passed away suddenly in June last year at the age of 46, after a heart attack. He left behind his wife, Mrs Ma-Lim Ai Choo and two children.

The Ma Jan Memorial Fund amounts to $625,000, of which $250,000 was raised from more than 400 donors, including Professor Ma's colleagues, students and friends, with the rest from government matching.

Three students from the school were the first recipients of the Ma Jan bursaries. They received $5,000 each to support a year of their studies in NTU.