The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) held its 2024 Scholarships & Awards Ceremony today, distributing RM75 million in scholarships to deserving students across Malaysia. As Malaysia’s largest education-focused social enterprise, JCF has awarded over RM745 million in scholarships to date, benefiting thousands of students in the country.
Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri of Perak Darul Ridzuan Tuanku Zara Salim, along with Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, founder and trustee of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, presented the scholarships to the recipients. During the ceremony, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to making quality education accessible and affordable, describing it as essential to creating a more progressive, sustainable, and inclusive Malaysia.
Scholarships were awarded in various categories, including Sunway University Postgraduate Studentships, the Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali Scholarship for Creative Arts and Music, and the Sunway-Victoria University Excellence Scholarship.
Tan Sri Cheah, who is also the founder and chairman of Sunway Group, has long been a proponent of quality education, world-class research, and sustainable development. His personal goal is to award several billion Ringgit in scholarships during his lifetime, furthering the foundation’s mission of “Nurturing the Seeds of Wisdom.”
The ceremony also highlighted JCF’s commitment to advancing education in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The foundation has funded a capacity-building development programme for teachers nationwide, focused on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Launched earlier this year, this programme aims to equip over 2,500 teachers in national and national-type schools with the skills necessary to promote sustainability in education.
In addition to local efforts, JCF has contributed US$20 million to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN), establishing the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University. The foundation also supports the UN-SDSN’s Asia headquarters in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, which coordinates sustainability initiatives across the continent.
