The IFoA Foundation, the independent charitable arm of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, is expanding its scholarship programme in China and South-East Asia (CSEA). This follows a successful campaign led by Tan Suee Chieh, the IFoA’s Immediate Past President and Founding Patron of the IFoA Foundation. The programme was already a major initiative targeting £500k with £350k seed money being generously donated by Dr Patrick Sun Cheong Poon. We have been delighted to raise over £260k within the last quarter alone and have increased the fundraising target to £750k. This additional funding enables us increase the programme’s reach and help support students who might otherwise not have access to an actuarial career.

The CSEA scholarship programme aims to reach 1,000 students over the next ten years, providing an opportunity to help educate and support the next generation of actuaries. In addition to the scholarship funding, the Foundation will promote greater awareness of actuarial science in colleges and schools, especially targeting less developed CSEA regions.

Eligible students must be citizens or permanent residents in China and South-East Asia. They must be actively pursuing relevant degrees or masters’ programmes in the region at either IFoA accredited or non-accredited universities, and be working towards a career as an actuary. Students will also need to provide evidence of academic excellence and demonstrate how financial support will benefit their career goals.

Tan Suee Chieh said:

“It was an emotional and heart-warming exercise. Everyone was connected to the Foundation’s mission of “Actuaries supporting others” and felt a sense of commitment to the IFoA, the actuarial profession and the region. I am extremely touched and grateful for their goodwill, as these donations were given in the best spirit. I would like to thank especially Patrick Poon, Stuart Leckie and Garth Jones for their exceptional generosity.”

Kartina Tahir Thomson, Chair of the IFoA Foundation, said,

“We have been overwhelmed by the response from the actuarial community in China and South-East Asia. These generous philanthropists have set a great example to the profession, taking on a real responsibility to support the next generation of actuaries and giving back at a time when many students are finding it difficult to fund their studies. Thank you to all those who have given their support, we are immensely grateful.”

A governance committee comprised of Kartina Tahir Thomson, Tan Suee Chieh and Grahame Stott, Chairman of the IFoA Management Board, will oversee the disbursement of the fund.

~ENDS~

Contact
Sonia Sequeira, Media Relations Manager, IFoA
Tel: 07525 592 198
Email: sonia.sequeira@actuaries.org.uk

Notes to Editor

  1. The IFoA Foundation is the independent charitable arm of the IFoA. It’s mission is ‘Actuaries Supporting Others’, with a vision to open doors for the next generation of actuaries and empower the profession to be transformative in addressing global challenges. The Foundation gives opportunity to actuaries and future actuaries from all backgrounds, celebrates excellence at the cutting edge of the profession and works in partnership to unlock solutions to critical priorities, from pandemics to climate change.
  2. IFoA Foundation China and South-East Asia Scholarship Fund

Roll call of IFoA Philanthropists supporting the CSEA Fund as of 30 October 2021

Patron and Chief Philanthropist     (£350k and above)               
Patrick Sun-Cheong Poon

Distinguished Philanthropist (£100k and above)             
Stuart Leckie                    

Leading Philanthropist (£50k and above)                          \
Garth Jones               

Principal Philanthropist (£10k and above)                                   
Bryce Johns   
Colin Pakshong                      
Tan Suee Chieh                     
Haijing Wang  
Anonymous Donor

Major Philanthropist (£5k and above)                                           
Jack Chye                
Lim Kean Hin 
Nishit Majmudar                     
Grahame Stott           
Wan Saifulrizal Wan Ismail

Bronze Partner – Corporate category (£5k and above)              
NMG Consulting

Senior Philanthropist (£3k and above)                                         
Alistair Chamberlain   
Frank McInerney
Raymond Ong           
(Allen) Nhi Duc Thai  
Michael & Shiuan Ting van Vuuren 

Participating Philanthropist (£1k and above)                               
Robert Chen
Sean Deehan             
Chris Hancorn            
Heng Zee Wang         
Richard Holloway                  
Khoo Kay Hwee                     
Khor Kee Eng            
Koo Chung Chang                 
Abhishek Kumar                    
Wen Li            
Trevor Matthews
Zainal Abidin Mohd-Kassim               
Ng Chun Nam            
Ong Kheng Heng                   
Philip Reynolds                      
James Richardson-Hay
Hitesh Motichand Shah
Xi Cynthia Yuan
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor

Supporting Philanthropist (£500 and above)                               
Azim Mithani              
Mark Stamper            
Kelvin Yap

As at time of going to Press, £613,000 has been raised for the CSEA Fund from the above donors.

About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.

Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial.  As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest. 

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