A group photo of all who were present during the TAR UMT Jinbodhi Bursary 2023 Award Presentation Ceremony.
Front row (fifth from left to right) Brother Xu Te, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Teacher Ling Shan, Teacher Fu Han, and officials from TAR UMT and BMCF with the student recipients in the customary group photo after the event.
In a continued display of commitment to education and social welfare, TAR UMT and the Bodhi Meditation Charity Foundation (BMCF) have once again come together to uplift students with financial burdens. This enduring partnership, now in its seventh year, has been instrumental in providing deserving students with the means to pursue their educational dreams.
A total of 27 students were awarded financial aid amounting to a commendable RM482,337 while the tradition of honouring bursary recipients for the year 2023 was upheld with great enthusiasm. These scholarships serve as a beacon of hope for those facing financial challenges, paving the way for them to access quality education and pursue their dreams.
The presentation ceremony held on 14 March 2024, marked by a spirit of generosity and solidarity, was graced by esteemed representatives from BMCF, including Teacher Ling Shan, Brother Xu Te, Teacher Fu Han, and committee members. Their presence underscored the unwavering support extended by BMCF towards educational initiatives. Sharing the stage with them were Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UMT, and other senior university officials, further emphasising the collaborative efforts driving positive change in society.
During his address, Teacher Ling Shan conveyed his desire for the scholarship to not only alleviate the financial strain on the students but also to facilitate the realisation of their educational goals. " Recently, I discovered that a successful businessman, a friend of mine for many years, was a recipient of the TARC Student Loan Fund. This humbles me and assures me further that we are on the right track. We hope that with the financial freedom, all of our student recipients can acquire exceptional education and also cultivate the competencies and wisdom to positively reshape their futures," Teacher Ling Shan added.
Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei expressed his gratitude towards BMCF for its commitment over the past eight years. He also told the students: “Life has ups and downs. You have now received the goodwill from others, so you have to learn to give back when you are capable of doing so. I hope you all will, when possible, contribute your talents and expertise back to your communities, uplifting others and creating a ripple effect of positive change.”
Kong Jin Mun, pursuing the Bachelor of Corporate Administration (Hons) is one of the recipients who requires financial support to ensure a smooth continuation of her educational journey. Raised by a single mother since the passing of her father at a young age, Jin Mun’s mother struggled to secure stable employment as she is a foreigner and her mother’s income can only cover the family’s basic needs. Moreover, the family is ineligible for government aid and other support programmes due to her mother’s citizenship status.
She said, “Although having a part-time job, I was still struggling to cover my basic expenses. This is why I applied for the bursary and I hope now, my family’s financial stress will reduce and I will be able to concentrate on my studies and pursue my ambition.”
Another recipient, Goh Wei Ying, a Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) in Data Science student, shared her story. “My mother was diagnosed with severe depression and lost her income. I was desperate for help to alleviate my family’s financial burdens, which led me to work part-time. It was during this time of uncertainty that I stumbled upon the Jindbohi Bursary. With hope and determination, I quickly applied for the bursary, hopeful that it would reduce our family's financial strain and enable my mother to receive the necessary treatment without worry.”
The TAR UMT Jinbodhi Bursary, initiated by BMCF in 2017, remains a cornerstone of this partnership, offering vital financial assistance to TAR UMT students. Over the years, this initiative has proven to be a lifeline for countless students, with close to RM3.3 million already disbursed to support 206 TAR UMT students in their academic pursuits.
