“Each scholarship given to the beneficiary is like sowing seeds in society. These seeds will bring to life the fragrant flowers, sweet fruits of opportunity. The success and achievements of Lawrence S. Ting scholarship recipients not only benefit those that receive it but bring positive change to the whole community” said Mr. Phan Chanh Duong, Director of Lawrence S. Ting Foundation.

On September 21, 2019, at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Lawrence S. Ting Foundation, in cooperation with Phu My Hung Development Corporation, organized “The 17th Lawrence S. Ting Scholarship Awards and Donation Presentation of 2020”. The total amount of grants awarded this time is nearly VND 8.5 billion, including direct and indirect scholarships.

At the Ceremony, in attendance were Madam Ting Fei Tsong Ching, Chairwoman of Lawrence S. Ting Foundation Executive Board; Madam Truong My Hoa – Former Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Mr. Arthur Ting – Chairman of CT&D Group; Mr. Dang Thuan Phong – Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Social Affairs of the National Assembly; Mr. Mai Ba Hung – Deputy Director of HCMC Department of Culture and Sports; representatives from several funds and associations; representatives from corporate donors; students from high schools, universities and colleges receiving scholarships for the academic year 2019-2020.

At the ceremony, our foundation awarded 220 scholarships to students from high schools, colleges and universities in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces across the country. Scholarship recipients are students who have excellent academic results, family facing financial difficulties, and active participation in social activities. There was a significant increase in the amount rewarded for scholarships this year; accordingly, scholarships for college/university students are VND 14 million /year (an increase of VND 4 million compared to the previous year); scholarship for high school student is VND 6.3 million/year (an increase of VND 1.8 million compared to the previous year). With this change, our foundation hopes that scholarship recipients will have better conditions to focus on their studies. “Each scholarship given to the right beneficiary is like sowing seeds in society. These seeds will bring to life the fragrant flowers, sweet fruits of opportunity. The success and achievements of Lawrence S. Ting scholarship recipients not only benefit those that receive it but bring positive change to the whole community.” said Mr. Phan Chanh Duong, Director of Lawrence S. Ting Foundation.

Speaking at the Ceremony, Mr. Dang Thuan Phong, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Social Affairs of the National Assembly, said that from 2006 to present, the Lawrence S. Ting Foundation and Phu My Hung Development Corporation have become the Committee’s annual sponsors, contributing to support more than 4,000 ethnic minority children and disadvantaged children across the country through the Vietnam Child Protection Fund. Mr. Dang Thuan Phong highly appreciated our contributions; hoping that we continue to accompany the Vietnam Child Protection Fund to better care for Vietnamese children.

After nearly 15 years of operation, we have awarded nearly 109,000 scholarships worth VND 117 billion to the studious and dynamic students who are in need so they can continue their studies. According to Mr. Phan Chanh Duong, it is very encouraging to know that many scholarship recipients currently hold important positions at different organizations and government agencies. Moreover, many of them start supporting others in need.

Sharing at the Ceremony, Mr. Vu Nguyen Thanh An – third-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy – who received this year’s scholarship, said: “I always try to study even though I am visually impaired and coming from a single parent family. My mom is the only bread earner of the family, and tuition fees became an impossible burden. My path to University almost ended. Fortunately, Lawrence S. Ting scholarship has provided support and given me the motivation to continue my dream of becoming a psychologist. Thus, I want to do more work so that I can help other underprivileged communities the same way Lawrence S. Ting Foundation has helped me.”

For others, it has already been 11 years since he received the Lawrence S. Ting scholarship, Ngo Phat Dat is now a lecturer at Ho Chi Minh University of Science and Technology. He said: “After receiving the scholarship, I became more and more motivated with my studies and even got the chance to study abroad in France. Coming back and becoming a University lecturer, I always remind myself that I need to contribute more to society, as well as spreading the spirit of Lawrence S. Ting Foundation to my students.”