A meaningful milestone has been reached in the effort to expand opportunity through data-driven policy and education. The first recipient of the Tom & Kuo MIT Scholarship—an endowed fellowship created to support students in MIT’s Master’s program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP)—has officially been nominated by MIT.
Established last year by Victor and Sze-Wen, the scholarship reflects a shared commitment to addressing global poverty and strengthening local economies through rigorous, evidence-based approaches. By funding a Rotary scholar enrolled in the DEDP program, the initiative aims to empower future leaders with the analytical tools needed to design and implement policies that create measurable, lasting impact.
The DEDP program is widely recognized for its focus on applying data analytics and economic theory to real-world challenges. Students are trained to evaluate policies using randomized controlled trials and other empirical methods, equipping them to make informed decisions in sectors ranging from public health to education and economic development.
The inaugural Tom & Kuo MIT Scholar represents the very spirit of this mission. Born and raised in Uzbekistan under challenging social and economic conditions, Ho-Din Ligay is of Korean heritage and later relocated to South Korea, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree. His personal journey—marked by resilience, adaptability, and determination—mirrors the transformative potential that the scholarship seeks to nurture.
This nomination is more than an academic achievement; it is a testament to the power of opportunity when combined with talent and perseverance. By supporting students with lived experience of economic hardship, the scholarship ensures that those closest to the challenges are also closest to crafting the solutions.
Victor and Sze-Wen’s vision in establishing this endowed fund extends beyond individual success stories. It is rooted in the belief that sustainable change comes from equipping individuals with the skills to analyze problems deeply and act effectively. Through this scholarship, they are helping to build a pipeline of leaders who will use data and evidence to combat poverty and improve lives across the globe.