(Sing Tao Daily reported) The influence of higher education scholarships goes far beyond the winners themselves. A survey of scholarships in China, India and the Philippines found that 67 percent of beneficiaries agree that scholarships reduce the financial burden of their families, and each scholarship improves the lives of an average of 26 people. According to research institutes, scholarships can help reduce students’ tuition fees and living expenses abroad, and help improve their quality of life, but this survey did not study the situation in Hong Kong.
In June last year, the Asian Philanthropy Research Center used questionnaires and in-depth interviews to visit China Xinhua Love Education Foundation, India’s Tata Trust and the Philippines’ Aboitiz Foundation. The three organizations awarded more than eight scholarships. Among the 100 winners, it was found that each scholarship improved the lives of 26 people on average, 67% of the beneficiaries were able to receive higher education because of the scholarship, and 60% hoped to participate in social work and give back to the society in the future.
Ruth A Shapiro, chief executive of the center, pointed out that 84% of Chinese students and 40% of Indian students support their family finances by part-time work. Zhang Jiawei, an associate researcher of the institution, analyzed that each scholarship involves different families, which reduces the time students spend abroad to earn tuition and living expenses, and improves their quality of life. He also said that 30% of the global private charitable funds’ funding for education comes from Asia, but because there are many poor students in China, India and the Philippines, which can better reflect the effectiveness of scholarships, the relevant data in Hong Kong have not been studied.