Chinese educator donates $ 5 million to further shared cultural understanding

VICTORIA — The operator of 40 schools in China says a shared philosophy inspired him to make the largest- ever donation to Royal Roads University.

Sherman Jen, founder of Maple Leaf Educational Systems, announced the $ 5- million gift at a ceremony on Wednesday.

His company’s schools serve about 15,000 students and are the first offshore schools to be accredited by B. C.’ s Ministry of Education. The schools offer students dual diplomas based on both the Chinese and B. C. high- school curricula.

Jen, who spends time in China and Canada, said his strong connection to Royal Roads includes an honorary degree awarded to him last year and noted that the recognition made him an official alumnus of the university.

“In my convocation address last year, I stated my belief that much of the world’s conflict comes because people don’t understand each other,” he said.

Jen, 60, said he believes in an educational model that brings

This model helps to develop global citizens and shared understandings that can contribute to conflict reduction. SHERMAN JEN MAPLE LEAF SCHOOLS FOUNDER

people together while valuing their language, culture and traditions.

“This model helps to develop global citizens and shared understandings that can contribute to conflict reduction.”

Royal Roads emphasizes similar aspects of education, Jen said. “It is based on these common values and my role as a proud RRU alumnus that I’m very pleased today to announce my gift in the amount of $ 5 million to establish a centre for global understanding through education.”

Education can be a major force for good, said Royal Roads president Allan Cahoon.

“If we can build understanding through education, perhaps we can build peace, we can build harmony, we can build a better world.”

Cahoon said Royal Roads has a long relationship with Maple Leaf, and the campus will be a worthy site to carry out Jen’s objective. “I’m delighted, Dr. Jen, for your confidence in Royal Roads, for your vision of what you’re trying to do in education, for your wisdom in seeing the alignment between your efforts and what Royal Roads is about and trying to do together, and the collaboration that we as institutions can have in the future.”

“He was the one that identified the similarities between an innovative educational system that he was championing in China and the role that Royal Roads was trying to play with respect to innovative education and education that’s current.” Jen’s idea to bring together Chinese and Canadian education practices was “almost revolutionary,” Cahoon said

He said Jen’s donation serves as an appropriate launching point for Royal Roads’ 75thanniversary year — 55 of them as a military college and the last 20 as a university. Maple Leaf is also marking its 20th year, he said.

Cahoon said the plan is to put the centre for global understanding in a new building.