Hong Kong Alumni Scholarship celebrates second year

Chor Kiu Cheung always dreamt of travelling the world to study, and her parents worked tirelessly in her home city of Hong Kong to make that happen.  

But when her father passed away four years ago, her family was forced to apply for social security, and Cheung’s dreams of broadening her horizons through studying internationally quickly dissipated. 

That is, until a group of Monash Hong Kong alumni stepped in. In 2018, Cheung was awarded the Monash Hong Kong Alumni Scholarship in recognition of her leadership potential, academic performance and community spirit.

Her studies are being funded by a self-organised group of Hong Kong-based alumni who believe in using philanthropy to help students experiencing disadvantage access international study.

Now in its second year, the scholarship is opening the possibility of a Monash education to outstanding, but financially disadvantaged, students in Hong Kong for whom an international education would otherwise be out of reach.

“It always amazes me knowing there are these networks out there supporting us students in our educational pursuits when we might have given up. This scholarship has made a tremendous difference in my life,” says Cheung, who’s studying a Bachelor of Psychology. 

The Hong Kong alumni supporting Cheung are part of Monash University’s Global Leaders Network communities of alumni in eight locations – Hong Kong, Indonesia, mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, the US and Australia. 

Fred Leung, who’s been closely involved in the development of the Hong Kong scholarship, says he’s proud of the contribution they’re making to changing students’ lives.

“I strongly believe it was our studies at Monash years ago that set us all on the path to becoming the global citizens we are today. It’s so rewarding that we can now pass on that opportunity to talented students in Hong Kong who wouldn’t have the chance otherwise,” Leung says.

Fellow Hong Kong alumnus Joseph Chan says that the learning experience at Monash wasn’t confined to its lecture theatres. 

“It’s more than a university education. Monash students learn lifelong skills like how to be independent and develop their critical thinking and cross-cultural competence,” Chan says. 

“We’re also thrilled at the prospect of widening our network of Hong Kong alumni once our scholarship recipients graduate, so they too can carry on the nurturing culture we have created for young students into the future.”

The President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, says she’s grateful for the generous support of the Hong Kong alumni, through which the University can strengthen its commitment to inclusion and equity.

“We pride ourselves on being a truly international institution with a culture of openness that allows students from diverse cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds to thrive. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in helping us make education more accessible for all,” Professor Gardner says. 

Cheung is the second student to receive the Hong Kong Alumni Scholarship. Its inaugural 2017 scholar, Kristy Lin, is now in her second year of law at Monash. Kristy interned with high-profile Monash alumnus, Justice Kevin Zervos, in the Hong Kong Court of Appeal in 2018.