Provide tax incentives to tertiary institutions
PROVIDING tax incentives to private institutions of higher learning will attract more people to come forward and contribute to society the same way the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation has, said Jeffrey Cheah Foundation founding trustee Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah.
“We are not making money for anyone, but we are making money for the improvement of our faculties, research and bursaries.
“Universities like Harvard University and Yale University are tax free.
“People have (come forward to) invest a lot of money and that’s why they have excelled to become such great institutions,” Cheah told reporters after presenting the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) Scholarships and Awards last Thursday.
Cheah who is also Sunway Group founder and chairman, said he hoped the foundation would receive a tax free status from the government. “Education can break the chain of poverty. “I hope the government will do an audit and give us a tax free status,” he said.
Cheah said JCF has awarded scholarships and awards to 4,000 students amounting to RM56mil this year, surpassing last year’s RM45mil.
“The foundation has, to date, disbursed more than RM270mil in scholarships to over 28,000 students,” he added.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa who was present during the ceremony, congratulated Cheah for providing opportunities to students.
The Chancellor Scholarship award recipient Soon Soo Oon, 21, said he felt blessed to receive the scholarship.
“I didn’t expect to get this award,” said the first year Digital Film Production student.
Being an arts student, Soon hopes to empower communities at large.
“I hope through arts, I will be able to create an impact and empower people and make them believe that they too can make a difference,” he added.
For Kamaleshwaran Ganeson, 19, receiving the Jeffrey Cheah Scholastic Award meant reducing his parents’ financial burden.
“It also shows that I’m an independent person as I’ve worked hard enough to get to a point where I can finance my own education,” said the first year Psychology student.
By being awarded the Jeffrey Cheah Continuing Scholarship, recipient Ethan Ganes,19, has 75% of his tuition fees covered.
“Students should look for as many types of scholarships (when they are applying) so that they have more opportunities,” said the first year Psychology student.
Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient Dzafran Adris Azmir, 20, feels that his scholarship is a gateway to opportunities and challenges.
“Aside from the requirements that we have to keep up with, you have to work hard and try your best,” said the third year Communications student.