On 3 August 2010, Chow Tai Fook Cheng Yu Tung Fund donated a sum of MOP 30 million to the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF) in support of the residential colleges on the new campus of the University of Macau (UM). As a token of appreciation for the generous donation, the UM will name one of the residential colleges as “Cheng Yu Tung College”. So far the Foundation has received a donation of MOP 30 million for each of the five residential colleges that are going to be established. The cheque presentation ceremony was held at the Macao Government Headquarters. Dr. Cheng Yu Tung, Chairman of the Chow Tai Fook Group presented a cheque to UMDF on behalf of the Chow Tai Fook Cheng Yu Tung Fund. Dr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR and Chancellor of the UM, received the donation on behalf of the UMDF. Dr. Tam Chon Weng, Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive; Mr. Kent Wong Siu Kee, director of Chow Tai Fook; Dr. Tse Chi Wai, founding member of UMDF and Chair of the Executive Committee of UMDF; Dr. Lam Kam Seng, founding member of UMDF and Prof. Simon Ho, Acting Rector of UM also attended the ceremony. Chief Executive Dr. Chui hosted a luncheon to thank the Chow Tai Fook Cheng Yu Tung Fund for its generous donation. “Dr. Cheng Yu Tung has been a long-time supporter of the UM,” Dr. Tse remarked. “As early as in the 1980s, when he served as a member on the University Council of the University of East Asia (predecessor of the University of Macau), he was very much a mover and shaker for the improvement of the University. He greatly improved the students’ living environment by making a donation to build the Student Hostel (Block 3). More than a perfect example of success himself, Dr. Cheng also represents all what it makes to be an outstanding community leader. His donation to the UMDF is another long term investment in education. Such a deed will certainly bring enormous benefits to Macao and China apart from setting a trend for other community leaders to follow. Benefiting from his donation for the development of the Residential College system, UM will further implement whole-person education, stride faster towards the goal of becoming a world-class university, and nurture our students as high-calibre leaders with creative thinking.” Dr. Cheng Yu Tung, Chairman of the Chow Tai Fook Group, said, “Throughout our history of over 80 years, the Chow Tai Fook Group has always devoted significant resources to charitable causes in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the neighbouring region. Not only are we concerned about the needs of the underprivileged in society, we have also strenuously supported educational projects because of the high priority we place on the education of the next generation. Investing in education is particularly meaningful because it could help develop future leaders for our country and contribute to the welfare of society. This collaboration with UM is based on our shared mission to pursue innovation and excellence in the service of social progress. Our hope is to create for students a college setting with excellent facilities so that they can stay focused on exploring the vast ocean of knowledge for the benefit of their community and country.” UM aims to become a world-class university with regional characteristics by fulfilling its mission of quality teaching, research and service for the community. One of the ways to realize these objectives is to follow the practice of other top universities overseas by establishing residential colleges. They will form learning communities for students in their pursuit of knowledge and foster cross-disciplinary interactions. The creation of these Colleges is conducive to the attainment of whole-person education and will help broaden students’ horizons and develop their ability of creative thinking. All this is important to develop the leadership attributes in our students by exposing them to a multi-cultural perspective. In this regard, the donation from Chow Tai Fook Cheng Yu Tung Fund is surely opportune to help the UM go closer toward fulfilling its aspirations. In order to express our gratitude for the generous donation, one of our residential colleges will be named after Dr. Cheng Yu Tung in commemoration of his great contribution to our education. So far the UMDF has received a donation of MOP 30 million for each of the five residential colleges. In addition to Cheng Yu Tung College, four other colleges will be denominated “Stanley Ho College”, “Lui Che Woo College”, “Henry Fok College”, and “Cao Guang Biao College” in recognition of the contribution from the respective donor.
