Autumn News – Foundation’s Development

October 2024

Dear Friends and Supporters,

With the school year well underway and the approaching of the Canadian Thanksgiving, I am here to share some exciting new developments with you! I also want to express my sincere thank you and appreciation to our long-time loyal supporters, and the new friends who I met on this journey of developing the new Foundation.

Today, we are celebrating another graduation, and three new 2024 Master’s Program scholars who have begun their studies. We look forward to sharing updates with you as our scholars pursue their global education journeys. Meanwhile, the Foundation is steadily developing its international outreach, presence and partnerships.

If what you read inspires you, please make a financial contribution by clicking on the DONATE button. We appreciate your support as we advance our mission – to develop the next generation of women leaders and changemakers.

Jessie is the Ching Tien Foundation’s 2023 Master’s Scholarship recipient. Earlier this week she graduated from the University of Nottingham with a high merit score.  Her degree is in Education Administration and Leadership. Completing a master’s program within one year is no easy feat! On the path to this achievement, Jessie made tremendous efforts and received invaluable guidance from her academic tutor, Dr. Joan Shaw, a long-time supporter of the Foundation. Congratulations to Jessie on her academic achievement!

Xiajun Deng is the recipient of the Ching Tien Foundation / Mackenzie Investments’ scholarship fund.

“I was born into a family where my father was a driver, and my mother a factory worker. Both of them grew up in rural areas and didn’t complete their studies. Despite this, they always tried their best to offer the best conditions for me to study.

In my first few days in Toronto, I experienced big cultural differences! I could not have imagined so many people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds living in the city so naturally. My campus is big and beautiful! There are European style heritage buildings surrounded by lawns and tall trees. You can always spot a little squirrel.

This semester I am taking four courses and have a part time job as a Teaching Assistant for undergraduates. I am still adjusting to my new learning and cultural setting and working hard. I am so grateful to be awarded the Mackenzie Investments scholarship from the Ching Tien Foundation.”

Sijia Li
University College Dublin, Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Ireland – Master of Science in Marketing

“I was born in Xinjiang and am a member of the Muslim minority in China. Both my parents are farmers. As a female, normally I wouldn’t have the same educational opportunities as my brother. But my mother was determined and worked very hard to provide me with the opportunity to attend school. In Xinjiang, good students have the chance to attend high schools in more developed cities. I was fortunate to finish my high school education in Shanghai and completed my undergraduate studies in Chongqing.

Since I came to Dublin in mid-August, I have been amazed by my new environment. I love the beautiful nature here and the slower pace of life. In China, everyday life seemed to always be in a rush. In Ireland, I am learning how to slow down and take some time to enjoy nature.

I have met other students who are from different countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. My dormmates are from India. We have regular social time together and I am learning about their culture. In class, most students are curious and confident, they often raise their hands to ask questions or give feedback on what we are discussing. This is a new experience for me. The learning culture here is so different, almost opposite from the way I was used to. I am gradually making progress on developing independent thinking and forming my own views and opinions.”

Yaqi Sun
Ontario Tech University, Canada – Master of Business Analytics And Artificial Intelligence

“I was born and raised in a village in Henan Province. My parents are farmers. My mother only had a middle school education, but she has always believed in the importance of education. During the years of my undergrad study, I applied for a student loan to cover tuition and worked part-time jobs. After graduation I worked as an engineer building bridges in Algeria. When I received a generous annual bonus in 2021, I decided to donate it to my university for the purpose of helping other unprivileged students like me.

I have just completed my first month of study in my new environment. All the things here are different and much better than I expected. Most of the people I have met are friendly and patient with newcomers like me. The bank assistant who opened my bank account is a newcomer here. She certainly understood my challenges and provided me with friendly service. Canada is a country of immigrants, and it is indeed an inclusive society. I want to be an inclusive-minded person simply because I am accepted here and have received respect from others.

A month has passed and with a lot of help from people around me including Ching and the Foundation, I have established a life and study routine that has reduced my anxiety. I even have time to look into volunteering opportunities.

There are many kinds of volunteer opportunities here which can help me have a deeper understanding of Canadian society, and the challenges Canadians face. For now, I am finding small ways to help others. I showed a woman from Africa how to use Google Maps and helped a new immigrant make an appointment to apply for her driver’s licence. As a newcomer, I am happy that I can do some things to help others!”

From September 15 – 26, our Founder Ching Tien was in Hong Kong with the goal of expanding the Foundation’s presence in Asia. The Foundation is thrilled to become a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (CanCham).

During her visit, Ching was the keynote speaker at the CanCham’s Women Network’s 10^th Anniversary celebration. At the event, the Foundation received endorsements from the Canadian Consul General in HK, Charles Reeves; the former CEO and COO of BMO Asia, Albert Yu and Fang Bourne; CanCham’s Executive Director Patrick Levesque, and the founder of CanCham’s Women’s Network, Madeleine Behan. We are grateful for the hospitality and positive support from the Hong Kong business community, and we look forward to strengthening and deepening our connections in Hong Kong as a gateway to greater Asia.

CanCham Hong Kong Women Network’s 10th anniversary celebration

Canadian Consul General Hong Kong, Mr. Charles Reeves, and BMO Asia Leadership Group

Hong Kong Discovery Bay Rotary Club

On this trip Ching made presentations at a local Rotary club and at the BMO Asia Hong Kong office. She also met with local NGOs and potential supporters.

Huiming Ma, the Foundation’s first scholar, made a stopover to Hong Kong on her way back to China to attend some of the events to support Ching’s work.

Partnership Development – The World Academy for the Future of Women and Tharuni

We are pleased to update you on our program partnership developments. In recent months, we have established partnerships with two women-focused international organizations: the US-based World Academy for the Future of Women, and India-based Tharuni. Each organization has a long history of promoting women’s advancement and leadership. The establishment of these collaborations are important to the Foundation’s ability to reach qualified scholarship applicants.

World Academy for the Future of Women

Tharuni

Heartwarming – EGRC Reunion in HK

On the 22nd of September, a group of EGRC alumni traveled from Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Ningbo and Zhuhai to see their beloved Auntie Tien. Even though it was a short visit, they shared udpates about their work and life with Ching and fellow EGRC sisters. A couple of the alumni met Ching as early as 2006, 18 years ago.