Rao Family Foundation and Pro Bono SG Launch Singapore's First Legal Centre for Individuals with Non-Visible Conditions

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rao Family Foundation, a Singapore-based grantmaking foundation partnering with changemakers to solve social challenges, and Pro Bono SG (PBSG), a registered charity dedicated to enabling access to justice for Singapore's marginalised communities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to launch the Inclusive Justice Law Centre, Singapore's first dedicated legal centre for individuals with non-visible conditions.

The Inclusive Justice Law Centre will serve as a one-stop hub offering legal awareness, guidance, and representation to individuals with non-visible conditions and their caregivers — a population that has historically lacked dedicated legal support in Singapore.

The Rao Family Foundation will commit to funding more than $700,000 over two years to cover manpower costs, a Legal Support Fund, as well as training and workshops by the PBSG Training Academy. Under this partnership, the Inclusive Justice Law Centre aims to provide holistic legal awareness, guidance, and representation tailored to individuals with non-visible conditions and their caregivers.

Mr James Zou, Director at the Rao Family Foundation, said, "The Rao Family Foundation believes that a truly just society cannot exist when significant segments of our community remain unseen. To us, inclusivity means being intersectional, all-encompassing, and exhaustive. We are proud to support Pro Bono SG's deliberate commitment to creating equity through legal support, advocacy, and systemic reform through the set-up of the Inclusive Justice Law Centre. We are confident this initiative will help ensure that everyone, regardless of whether their condition is visible, has meaningful access to justice and opportunity."

The MOU signing was witnessed by Guest of Honour Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Social and Family Development. SPS Mr Eric Chua is also the co-chair of the Inclusive Justice Taskforce. The agreement was signed by Mr Jimmy Budiarto Rao, Chairman of the Rao Family Foundation, and Mr Dinesh Dhillon, Chairman of PBSG.

A Natural Extension of Rao Family Foundation's Advocacy

The launch of the Inclusive Justice Law Centre represents the Rao Family Foundation's commitment to extending inclusion beyond awareness to encompass equitable access to justice and legal protection. It marks a significant milestone in strengthening Singapore's legal and social support framework and highlights a collective commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of individuals with non-visible conditions and supporting the long-term security and well-being of the families who care for them.

Addressing a Critical Gap in Access to Justice

Recognising that individuals with non-visible conditions, as well as their caregivers often face barriers in accessing legal support, the partnership seeks to bridge this critical gap and empower these individuals to seek timely and appropriate legal support. 

The Inclusive Justice Law Centre will be anchored by a full-time Singapore-qualified community lawyer who will specialise in advising and providing legal assistance to individuals with non-visible conditions. To strengthen the pro bono ecosystem, the community lawyer will also train and expand the volunteer pool, equipping volunteers with specialised knowledge and skills to support this community.

The Inclusive Justice Law Centre will also host curated workshops, as well as seminars and webinars focused on legal literacy and protection, designed with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals with non-visible conditions, such as decision-making, communication, and self-advocacy. These initiatives also aim to address caregivers' concerns around future planning, financial security and caregiving responsibilities.

Beyond legal support, the partnership aims to better support individuals with non-visible conditions and their caregivers by driving strategic research to strengthen broader access-to-justice efforts with key stakeholders across the legal and social service sectors.

Mr Dinesh Dhillon, Chairman of Pro Bono SG, said, "In our work, we have seen that access to justice is not only about having legal rights - it is about being able to understand and navigate the system. The Inclusive Justice Law Centre reflects our commitment to ensuring that individuals with non-visible conditions are seen, heard and supported throughout the legal process. Beyond assisting individual cases, we aim to build dedicated expertise and strengthen partnerships across the legal, social service and philanthropic sectors. Over time, our goal is to help shape a system that is more responsive, so that justice becomes truly accessible in practice."

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Rao Family Foundation and Pro Bono SG Launch Singapore's First Legal Centre for Individuals with Non-Visible Conditions

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ngee Ann Kongsi and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) have marked the naming of The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library at the SIT Punggol campus, a testament to the Kongsi's enduring commitment to advancing education and empowering future generations. The occasion was witnessed by Guest of Honour Mr Baey Yam Keng, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Transport and Mayor, North East District.

Reflecting SIT's digital-first learning strategy, the library provides students with seamless access to an extensive collection of digital academic resources, empowering them with knowledge and tools at their fingertips to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Designed as a physical hub for learning and community building, the technology-enabled space brings together students, academic staff and industry partners to collaborate, exchange ideas and work on projects. Equipped with facilities such as a creative media studio and computers with specialised software to support coursework, research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the library will also host programmes and initiatives that foster creativity, innovation and applied learning.

In 2021, The Ngee Ann Kongsi committed S$25 million to SIT over 10 years, with annual tranches of $2.5 million. The gift supports the development of The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library and the establishment of The Ngee Ann Kongsi Emergence Fund, which expands opportunities for SIT students to take part in overseas exchange programmes, global internships, and other experiential learning initiatives that enrich their education beyond the classroom.

Ms Nerissa Lai, a Year 2 student in SIT's Hospitality Business degree programme and a recipient of The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship, said, "The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship has enabled me to explore opportunities beyond formal coursework, including overseas exposure programmes, by helping to offset my expenses. Being recognised for my academic achievements has also given me greater confidence to pursue experiential learning opportunities and motivated me to give back to the community through volunteering. I often study at the library, especially during exam periods and project deadlines. My favourite spot is the stepped study area in the centre, which is designed to minimise distractions and helps me stay focused. The spacious, calming environment also makes it a comfortable place to study and collaborate with classmates."

Mr Chia Chor Meng, President of The Ngee Ann Kongsi, said, "Since our founding in or around 1845, The Ngee Ann Kongsi has remained steadfast in our mission to serve the community. We firmly believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to empower individuals and uplift society. It is our hope that this gift will expand access to diverse learning opportunities for SIT students, inspiring them to pursue academic excellence and realise their fullest potential."

Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President of SIT said, "We are grateful for the long-standing partnership of The Ngee Ann Kongsi, which reflects a shared commitment to advancing education and creating opportunities that will benefit generations of learners. As Singapore's University for Industry, applied learning is central to how we prepare students for the real world, through close collaboration with industry and the community. Purposefully designed to support this approach, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library fosters collaboration, discovery and growth."

Over the past decade, The Ngee Ann Kongsi has supported SIT through the following key contributions:

• 2021: $25 million for The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library and The Ngee Ann Kongsi Emergence Fund
• Ongoing:
  • The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship supports deserving undergraduate students who are enrolled in full-time degree programmes at SIT. Since the SIT-Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship started in 2017, 450 scholarships have been disbursed as of March 2026, alongside nine The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medals awarded to outstanding graduates.

This ongoing contribution builds upon a legacy of meaningful collaboration between SIT and The Ngee Ann Kongsi, reflecting a shared commitment to broadening access to education, nurturing talent, and advancing learning and innovation for generations to come.

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The Ngee Ann Kongsi and SIT Mark Naming of The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library, Supporting Digital-First Learning and Innovation