In spite of the difficulties that many are facing during the pandemic, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) and Bodhi Meditation Malaysia (BMM) have come together yet again to bring hope to needy and underprivileged students for the 6th time with the TAR UC Jinbodhi Bursary Deed of Donation signing ceremony held concurrently with the Award Presentation for Recipients of 2021 on 5 October 2022.

The TAR UC Jinbodhi Bursary, set up by BMM, is among the many financial aid options made available for TAR UC students. Since the setting up of the bursary in October 2017, TAR UC Jinbodhi Bursary has been supporting deserving and underprivileged students by providing financial assistance to them to pursue their tertiary education at TAR UC.

Between 2017 - 2021, a total value of RM 3.1 million in financial aid has been awarded to 162 recipients, comprising Diploma and Bachelor Degree students. This year, BMM has donated a generous amount of RM350,000 towards the bursary which was presented in the signing ceremony. The representatives from BMM, namely Teacher Ling Shan, Teacher Fu Han, Sister Dong Cao, Brother Wen Jun and committee members were present at the signing ceremony, together with Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC, as well as senior officials of TAR UC.

In his speech, Teacher Ling Shan expressed his hope that the award will help as many students as possible to achieve their goals. “This year marks the 6th year that we have been working together with TAR UC to help underprivileged students complete their studies. TAR UC has provided us with a platform to reach out to do meaningful and good deeds for students who are in need of financial assistance, and we hope that we can continue this partnership so that more underprivileged young students will be given the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations in life,” he said.

Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei also expressed his elation for the continuous support from BMM. “I must once again accord our utmost appreciation to BMM. This is a tremendous effort which we managed to sustain and make even stronger and better over the years. I have seen how BMM has changed the lives of many people. Through their initiative and effort, it has planted the seed in each and every student who has benefited from the bursary. As such, I would like to congratulate the recipients. Keep up your good performance. I hope this bursary will lighten your financial burden and enable you to have a good future where you can then contribute back to society,” said Prof Ir Dr Lee.

During the event, there was an award presentation for the recipients of 2021 and they shared how the bursary had helped make a difference in their lives financially. Chok Yee Kee, a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Business student, comes from a single parent family because her father who was the breadwinner passed away three years ago. “At the time, my sister was just a student and my brother a salesman who earned just enough for a living. I thought I would not be able to continue my Diploma programme as I could not afford it. Luckily, I tried applying for the TAR UC Jinbodhi Bursary as it was the only chance for me to complete my Diploma. I managed to get the bursary and I finished my Diploma. Then, I wanted to continue with my Bachelor’s Degree as I felt that having knowledge was the key to changing a person’s life. So, I applied again for the bursary. And thankfully, I got it the second time,” said Yee Kee.

Tin Jean, another 2021 bursary award recipient who is studying the Bachelor of Banking and Finance (Hons) programme also shared his story. “I am the only child in the family and my parents are divorced. My mother is a housewife and my father has been unemployed for five years. They both have illnesses which require money for medical expenses and they cannot support me in my education. As such, I applied for the TAR UC Jinbodhi bursary and I am really thankful that I received the award in my Bachelor’s degree level. Now, I can concentrate on my studies without having to work part-time and I do not have to worry about my tuition fees,” said Tin Jean.

The TAR UC Jinbodhi Bursary 2022 will be open for application by TAR UC students beginning 21 November 2022 this year.