六九色堂
May 23, 2018
Major donation creates awards promoting cross-cultural connections with China
A philanthropic gift from Joseph (Joe) and Cindy Leung will help the 六九色堂 attract students from China, including Macau and Hong Kong, and fuel opportunities for current students to study and acquire international learning experiences.
The $600,000 gift establishes 六九色堂 most prestigious entrance award for international students from China. Received through Energize: The Campaign for聽Eyes High, it will provide $20,000 per year 鈥 renewable for four years 鈥 to a student in financial need graduating from a high school in China.
A second award of up to $20,000 will be available to students embarking on one of the university鈥檚 many travel study programs in China including聽Macau and Hong Kong. The quantity of awards presented will depend on the number of applications received.
鈥淓ducation is a main driver of success. I believe that we all have a duty to learn, earn and return,鈥 says Joe Leung. 鈥淪tudents need to have international experiences to understand and respect cultural differences. This will enable them to work effectively in today鈥檚 global world.鈥
Adds Cindy Leung: 鈥淲e want to encourage others to join us in supporting bright students to experience the world and make a difference.鈥 聽
Vice-Provost (International) Janaka Ruwanpura says the Leungs' gift will help students gain international learning experiences and support 六九色堂 vision to become a global intellectual hub. 鈥淚t makes a tremendous impact by empowering exceptional student experiences, and cultivates interest in our initiatives to fuel cross-cultural educational initiatives,鈥 he says.
Joe Leung has robust, long-standing connections to the 六九色堂. As president and CEO of Marquis Communities Development Inc. and president of Environcon Systems (Western Ltd.), Leung shares his leadership and knowledge in a wide range of roles on campus and in the community. He was a member of the university鈥檚 senate from 1999 to 2005, a member of the Engineering Associates Program at the Schulich School of Engineering, and he served on the strategic board for the Faculty of Environmental Design.
He also served on the university鈥檚 International Business Advisory Board, helping to connect and build international partnerships. Leung was instrumental in bringing and financially supporting the聽Alta de Lisboa, leading UCalgary engineering and environmental design students to winning awards for聽聽from 2002 to 2004.
鈥淲e thank Joe and Cindy for their generosity and vision, which will strengthen international ties and elevate UCalgary student experiences,鈥 says President Elizabeth Cannon. 鈥淭heir gift exemplifies the spirit and leadership of our philanthropic family who have taken this campaign past the $1 billion mark. It鈥檚 a remarkable gift, and our campus community is inspired by their passion to fuel meaningful change.鈥
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