HELP University College in Malaysia has made a generous $100,000 donation to The University of Queensland's student welfare fund.
The gift will support students who lost homes or possessions in last month's Queensland floods.
It brings total donations to the Vice Chancellor's Emergency Student Welfare Fund and other specific areas to $262,000. This has come from 445 donors in 19 countries.
The chief executive officer of HELP, Kam Yoke Chan-Low, said there was a longstanding, strong relationship between the two universities, based on a shared focus on academic achievement.
Many HELP students and faculty members had studied and worked at UQ.
“We are proud of this exemplary partnership that is based on trust,” Dr Chan said.
Both organisations shared a focus on academic achievement.
UQ's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, said the extraordinary donation was testament to a fantastic friendship between HELP and UQ, and to HELP's special regard for Australia and Australians.
“The funds will assist the many hundreds of students from our St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses who have suffered in a range of ways from the flood,” Professor Greenfield said.
“At the extreme end, some students have lost their homes; others have lost possessions and are financially straitened as a result.
“More broadly, damage to properties in flooded areas means that rental supply is short and many students will be financially impacted by increased rents. We are yet to know of the losses of many rural students.”
This is the largest donation to date to the fund, which was launched last month in an appeal to UQ's global network of alumni and friends.
Dr Chan was awarded a UQ honorary doctorate in 2005 for her pioneering work in education.
She said she, her husband and two children were all educated in Australia, with Australian support.
“Over the years, we have developed strong friendships with many Australians – they have given us many happy memories to cherish,” Dr Chan said.
“Our family has the highest esteem for the Australian people and great respect for the Australian Government for its fair play and generous spirit.
“Such personal bonds are also reflected in the partnership between HELP University College and The University of Queensland. Over the years, HELP has benefited from the guidance of UQ academics and management.
“Many Malaysian and Asian students, and our HELP staff, are given opportunities and financial support to study at UQ. Every one has become a success story.”
Media: Fiona Cameron, UQ Communications, ph +61 7 3346 7086
