UOB employees come together for the UOB Heartbeat Run, the bank’s annual flagship volunteering and fundraising programme, supporting needy group.
FOR decades, United Overseas Bank (UOB) has empowered communities through art, children and education, embedding these pillars into its operations to drive meaningful change across South-East Asia.
Beyond corporate philanthropy, UOB’s initiatives foster creativity, bridge educational gaps and promote sustainable energy solutions - shaping pathways for societal progress.
Grounded in the belief that businesses thrive by building a sustainable and equitable future, UOB continues to demonstrate that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand.
Ng (centre) with 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) chief judge Bibi Chew (left) and the winners of the 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition.
Nurturing creativity
The UOB Painting of the Year (POY) competition has shaped contemporary art in Malaysia and South-East Asia since its launch in Singapore (1982) and Malaysia (2011).
Renowned for discovering exceptional talent, it offers artists more than just an attractive art prize purse - RM100,000 for the main title.
The competition also provides opportunities for the winners to springboard their career at regional and global levels and to participate in UOB-sponsored art residency programmes overseas.
For Malaysian artists, the impact of UOB POY has been transformative. The competition has become a stepping stone for local talents to showcase their creativity, receive critical acclaim and elevate their careers.
Notable winners in 2024 - Hasanul Isyraf Idris as the main title winner, Hug Yin Wan (Gold Award), Muhamad Amsyar Ramly (Silver Award) and Mairul Nisa Malek (Bronze Award) - have since become celebrated figures in the art world.
“UOB’s commitment to the arts goes beyond our annual art competition. We actively collaborate with our winners, support their exhibitions and foster regional collaborations to amplify their reach,” said UOB Malaysia chief executive officer Ng Wei Wei.
UOB has showcased its winners’ works at prestigious venues like UOB Art Space Jakarta, Hong Kong Art Central, UOB Art Gallery Shanghai and the Venice Biennale.
“In our own headquarters, UOB Plaza 1 KL, artworks from past local POY winners are proudly displayed, reflecting our dedication to creating a vibrant cultural environment that inspires both employees and visitors while celebrating Malaysia's rich artistic heritage,” she shared.
Ng (back row, third from the left) in a group photo after presenting a cheque for the funds raised by UOB Malaysia to the beneficiaries of the 2024 UOB Heartbeat Run.
Fostering wellness and unity
Another cornerstone of UOB’s CSR initiatives is the UOB Heartbeat Run, an annual flagship volunteering and fundraising programme held globally across 18 markets where the bank has a presence in.
To raise funds, UOB colleagues organised various activities including food bazaars, charity sales, treasure hunts and charity pledges from several members of the bank’s senior management.
In Malaysia itself, over RM2mil was raised last year, which was donated to various local beneficiaries, aimed at improving lives of underprivileged children and bridge the gap in education opportunities.
As with previous years, the fundraising concluded with a run held at The Arc at Rimbayu, as well as several locations across Asia, where UOB colleagues, their families and friends, customers and business partners gathered.
Sustainable impact
In addition to promoting creativity, wellness and community involvement, UOB has made further strides in Malaysia by linking education with sustainability through its partnership with the SOLS Foundation. Specifically, the collaboration focuses on three key initiatives: Solar Academy, Kampung Solar and Decarbonise.
Under Solar Academy, UOB sponsors students from marginalised backgrounds for a 12-month solar industry apprenticeship, equipping them with critical skills for Malaysia’s green transition. UOB employees also mentor these youths, with the first having graduated in October last year.
UOB staff volunteers installing Pico solar systems in Orang Asli homes to bring sustainable energy to off-grid villages.
Under Kampung Solar, UOB’s staff volunteers travelled to off-grid villages to install Pico solar systems in Orang Asli’s homes. Last year, they visited Kampung Tanhain and Kampung Bongor, Royal Belum Forest and provided clean energy for 51 homes, improving the lives of 263 Orang Asli villagers.
Through Decarbonise, last year UOB funded solar photovoltaic systems for two children’s welfare homes in the Klang Valley, benefitting over 130 children.
“UOB Malaysia’s first country flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme was launched in 2023. We wanted a programme that not only supports the bank’s sustainability agenda but also gives our people the opportunity to participate in giving back to the community.
“By empowering underprivileged youth to build meaningful careers in the solar industry, we help to improve their future prospects and their families’ wellbeing,” Ng highlighted.
“At the same time, we are bringing solar energy to the Orang Asli communities in off-grid villages to provide them with a reliable source of energy to increase their quality of life. I’m pleased that our efforts are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable Malaysia.”
The UOB Malaysia – SOLS Foundation CSR programme was recognised as the champion in the ‘Vulnerable or Underserved Communities’ category and third runner-up in the ‘Enhance Educational Opportunities or Improve Financial Literacy’ category by the Association of Banks Malaysia at its 50th Anniversary Celebration CSR Excellence Awards last year.
UOB takes a long-term approach to community empowerment, investing in initiatives that drive sustainable, meaningful impact. Rather than one-off projects, its CSR efforts in art, children and education aim to create lasting change.
"We are committed to playing our role in helping shape a brighter future. Through sustained engagement, we hope to inspire others to do the same," Ng added.
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