PORT DICKSON, June 12 (Sin Chew Daily) — Philanthropist Lee Tian Hock has decided to donate RM500,000 towards a scholarship fund under his wife's name for underprivileged students with good exam results to study at Chung Hua Middle School.

The move is aimed at helping families financially affected by the COVID -19 pandemic so that their children can receive vernacular education.

The scholarship fund makes it possible for needy students to proceed to study at Chung Hua Middle School in the 2021 academic year despite the pandemic.

Lee, who is Matrix Concepts Ltd group executive deputy chairman, set up the fund in the name of his wife Yang Cui Lian with a donation of RM500,000 for the first year to offer students six years of secondary school education free of charge.

The scholarship is made available to 10 to 15 students. Students granted the scholarship have to maintain their academic performances and good conduct throughout their six years in secondary school.

Lee said students will go on to pursue tertiary education after completing their secondary school education, adding that there are many local and foreign universities offering scholarships to graduates from Chinese independent schools.

Students with good academic results will receive more scholarship offers, and they would be able to improve their social status after completing their studies at university level, he said.

Lee stressed that the fund has been set up to assist poor students and is open to Malaysian students throughout the country.

"Families earning less than RM8,000 a month or those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply. Priority is given to families earning RM4,000 or BELOW,'' he said.

Applicants can apply with their primary school Year Five results of 2019. Family background and academic results are main criteria.

Lee, who is also the honorary advisor of the board of directors of Chung Hua Middle School, said the school has drafted a plan to groom students who received the scholarships.

"Scholarship recipients are exempted from paying tuition fees, lodging and other fees. They will also receive RM1,000 in cash for books, uniforms, shoes and other items when the school starts," he said.

The top three recipients are to be awarded with incentives of RM1,000, RM800 and RM500 respectively for excellent academic performance, character, sports, talents and leadership skills at school. The cash incentives will be granted the following year, Lee explained.

He said if the RM500,000 scholarship fund is successful in the first year, he does not rule out the possibility of continuing with the fund to assist more families affected by the pandemic and set a new normal in education.

Tan Tai Kim, president of the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia or Dong Zong, has been invited to launch the scholarship fund in a virtual ceremony to be held at 20:00 on June 20.

Mo Tai Bo, Chung Hua Middle School board chairman, is grateful that Lee has set up the scholarship fund to assist underprivileged students.

He said the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been offering full scholarships to students in two Chinese independent schools in the state for many years.

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