Datin Joanne Wong (fifth from left) presented the mock cheque of RM517,000 to the 2018/2019 scholarship recipients.

IOI Group’s foundation, IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng), has awarded RM517,000 in scholarships to 11 outstanding students, with nine Bachelor Degree and two PhD recipients who are pursuing their full-time studies at recognised local institutions of higher learning. The two PhD recipients are from University of Malaya that recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) to enhance research and development in the field of sustainable oil palm plantation management.

The scholars received recognition for their excellent achievements in their studies and extra-curricular activities at the Scholarship Presentation Ceremony which was held recently at IOI Headquarters in IOI Resort City. IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) Executive Director Datin Joanne Wong presented the certificates and cheques to the scholarship recipients. 

IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) is a charitable foundation set up as IOI’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. To date, IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) has disbursed more than RM9 million worth of scholarships to 277 scholars since its introduction. The IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) Scholarship, which was established in 1998, is one of many educational programmes instituted under IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) to help students achieve their full potential by reducing the financial burden on the parents so that the students are able to concentrate on their studies. 

“We are determined to groom these young talents by offering them internships and employment with IOI upon their graduation,” said Datin Joanne. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to gain practical work experience as they undergo industrial training in IOI during their semester break. 

Meanwhile, first-year scholarship recipient from Multimedia University, Ms Ain Farah Amira, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons) (Advertising Design), aptly summarised the joy of the entire batch of scholars by stating the scholarship award “has certainly lightened the burdens of their parents and opened up a whole new window of opportunities for them.” The day’s programme included a video presentation on IOI’s Core Values, IOI’s core businesses and career talk by an IOI representative, sharing of experience by a previous IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) scholar, and a visit to Bargain Basement, an innovative social enterprise by IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng) that encourages the public to donate pre-loved or unused items to help the community, located at IOI City Mall. 

Some of IOI Foundation (formerly known as Yayasan Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng)’s intitiatives are the Young Achievers’ Awards, Student Adoption Programme, School Adoption Programme, IOI-Puchong STEM Programme and collaborations with non-profit organisations such as HUMANA (Borneo Child Aid Society) in supporting the education of estate workers’ children and native children in East Malaysia.

The scholars and guests posed for a group photo.