CUHK
News Centre

Shanghai Fraternity Association Hong Kong (SHFA) has generously donated a total of HK$5.9 million to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) since the academic year 2017-18 for the establishment of the “Shanghai Fraternity Association Diligence Bursary”. To date, nearly 200 needy students have been benefitted from the bursary. 

For the academic year 2020-21, 114 students have received the bursary, more than any other previous years. Under the current COVID-19 pandemic, the bursary is indeed a timely and valuable help to the needy students. SHFA not only provides financial support to needy students but also cares about students’ whole-person development. The bursary recipients were heartened to receive encouragement from SHFA, and before the pandemic they were invited to join in various kinds of activities such as inspiring talks, conducted by renowned scholars and leaders to widen their horizons, and Kunqu opera.

The philanthropy of SHFA has set an excellent role model for students to dedicate themselves to serving society. Lau Ho Kit, a Year 2 student in the Global Studies Programme, is truly thankful for being one of the bursary recipients. The bursary not only relieves his financial burden but also enables him to concentrate on his studies and personal development. He said, “To follow SHFA’s missions, ‘Respect for the elderly, caring for the young, and binding our society together’, I am delighted to press ahead to stretch my potential, take initiatives in supporting others and strive for the happiness of our community.” He has participated in the Student Leader Training Scheme organised by the University and visits to the elderly homes. He has also strengthened his social awareness by joining webinars about women’s rights and international relations during the pandemic.

“The bursary has alleviated the financial pressure on my family and makes me realise that there are many kind-hearted people doing a lot of charity work. This really touches me and motivates me to do more community service,” Tse Wai Yin, a Year 3 student in Philosophy, said. Wai Yin visited seniors living alone as well as young offenders in correctional institutions to know more about their situations and communicate with them. He engaged in volunteer teaching at an orphanage in Nepal and visited different charitable organisations and concern groups focusing on animal rights, street children and environmental protection.

Leung Wang Fat, a Year 5 student in Computer Science explained that the bursary has covered part of the daily expenses of his family and reduced his financial hardship significantly. The bursary is also used for self-enhancement and innovation work. He said, “The bursary helps me create a service industry-related computer application. It supports some inevitable expenses such as equipment, computing resources and third-party services for making the application. With the help of the bursary, I can invent the software more quickly and effectively. It enables me to utilise my expertise and techniques to create useful products which can be used by others and contribute to society.’

The Shanghai Fraternity Association Diligence Bursary, each in the amount of HK$20,000, is truly meaningful to the recipients in that it offers financial support and hence the opportunity for them to pursue their dreams, and it encourages them to contribute to the betterment of society. It is like a torch relay in which the recipients who have received the bursary also devote themselves to help others in need.