Jeffrey Cheah Foundation awards RM75 million in scholarships

The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) marked another significant milestone in its commitment to education by awarding RM75 million in scholarships during its Scholarships & Awards Ceremony 2024. The foundation, Malaysia’s largest education-focused social enterprise, has now disbursed over RM745 million in scholarships, benefiting thousands of deserving students across the country.

Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri of Perak Darul Ridzuan Tuanku Zara Salim, alongside Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, founder and trustee of JCF, personally presented the awards to the scholarship recipients, congratulating them for their outstanding achievements.

Diverse range of scholarships

The awards spanned multiple categories, including prestigious scholarships such as Sunway University Postgraduate Studentships, Sunway Excellence Scholarship, The Chancellor’s Scholarship, and the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali Scholarship for Creative Arts and Music, among others. These awards aim to provide opportunities to students from all walks of life, promoting academic excellence and fostering talent in diverse fields.

During his speech, Cheah emphasized the foundation’s commitment to affordable and accessible quality education. “The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation’s commitment to nation building, exemplified by the Foundation’s tagline Nurturing the Seeds of Wisdom, is founded on our belief that making quality education affordable and accessible is crucial in creating a more progressive, sustainable and inclusive future for all Malaysians,” he said. Cheah further shared his personal mission to award several billion Ringgit worth of scholarships in his lifetime, reinforcing his dedication to creating a lasting impact on the education sector.

Advancing teacher education

In addition to scholarships, JCF continues to contribute towards elevating Malaysia’s education system through various initiatives, including a professional development programme for teachers, launched earlier this year. The programme focuses on advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Malaysia by building capacity among educators in national and national-type schools, impacting over 2,500 teachers nationwide.

This initiative also aligns with Mission 4.7, a global effort aimed at equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Global contributions to sustainable development

Furthering its commitment to sustainability, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has gifted US$20 million to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN) for the establishment of the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University. This center serves as UN-SDSN’s Asia headquarters, coordinating sustainability initiatives across the continent in partnership with offices in New York and Paris. The Foundation’s support underscores its long-term dedication to the SDGs and to fostering a sustainable future for Malaysia and beyond.

In paying tribute to Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim, Cheah praised her dedication to promoting ethical values and elevating education standards in Malaysia. With this unwavering commitment from key figures, JCF continues to be a driving force in shaping the educational landscape of the country.