Asian University for Women (AUW) Hong Kong Support Foundation has raised over $0.75 million to provide 50 female students a one-year scholarship from the most marginalised communities in Asia.
The charitable organisation increased their support for the degraded communities, including Rohingya female migrants and factory workers – who will get the opportunity to study at the liberal arts university based in Chittagong.
The announcement came at the second annual gala dinner, organised by the AUW Hong Kong Support Foundation, held at the JW Marriott Ballroom in Hong Kong, according to a Media OutReach statement.
The raised fund will support the students from the marginalised communities around Asia and the Middle East, to receive a high-quality tertiary education, to change their lives and communities.
More than 350 guests attended the benefit presented by title sponsor Lancôme and main event sponsor Marriott International at the event.
A lively panel discussion, focused on the need for urgent action to accelerate progress in the region titled "The Time is Right Now", was also held at the function.
The esteemed panel featured AUW Chancellor Cherie Blair; AUW Patron & Former Chief Secretary Anson Chan; and writer, activist & AUW Trustee Marina Mahathir.
Emcee Sean Lee-Davies, a respected environmental activist and filmmaker, moderated the panel and enlightened the audience with poignant commentary.
Advantage Partners, Mayer Brown, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Point72, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, FleishmanHillard, L'OREAL, Citi, among others, were the corporate sponsors.