The scholars along with Berjaya Foundation officials (seated, 2nd row from left: Tan Eng Hwa, Leo Laca, Paul Soo, Atty. Bong Bernas, and Resty Perez
Berjaya Philippines Inc. through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm, the Berjaya Foundation, has successfully chosen a new second batch of Filipino scholars who will have the opportunity to a good collegiate education with the help of scholarships and educational assistance provided by the Berjaya Group.
The 18 scholars were given a testimonial send-off lunch by officers of the Berjaya Philippines and the Berjaya Foundation before they left the country last September 27 for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to attend classes at the Berjaya University College of Hospitality. They are expected to earn their diplomas after finishing their courses in culinary arts, events management, hospitality management, tourism and travel management, and retail management.
Scholars were chosen from among the more-than-a-thousand applicants all over the country with the Foundation giving priority to the lesser-privileged but deserving students who have passed the examination and interview process. 15 more scholars will be leaving by end of the year to follow the second batch.
Aside from the tuition and miscellaneous fees, the Foundation also provides the students’ a monthly allowance of Malaysian Ringgit 1,500 to cover their accommodation and living expenses plus RM500 per semester for books.
Some of the members of the first batch of Berjaya scholars have already finished their courses and received their precious diplomas last August 2012. This pleased Berjaya Group Berhad’s founder and advisor Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan that he gives it a long-term commitment to sending more Filipino scholars to Malaysia.
“I started life in a poor family and could not even afford a proper tertiary education,” explained the Malaysian philanthropist, who retired early this year and passed the leadership of one of Malaysia’s biggest conglomerates to his son, Robin, in order to concentrate on his charitable activities. “I know what it is like not to have a lot of things that the average person these days will take for granted. I therefore consider myself very blessed to be where I am today despite the difficult early days, and ever since I achieved financial success I have felt a sense of responsibility to help those who are less fortunate,” he said in an interview with Forbes magazine.
“The graduation of the first batch of Berjaya scholars from the Philippines only shows that given the opportunity for a person in the marginalized sector of society to achieve his dreams when there is someone ready to help them,” said Paulino Soo, country head of Berjaya Group in the Philippines and president of the Berjaya Foundation on this recent development.