This is like a feather in the cap for the Foon Yew chain of education institutions which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this August.
The institutions comprise SJKC Foon Yew 1 to 5, the Foon Yew High School (main campus and the Kulai campus), and the Southern University College (Southern UC), which collectively is known as the Foon Yew Educational Village.
This project which is a big step forward for the Chinese community, may not have materialised if not for the efforts by MCA and property developer UEM Land Holdings Bhd which has agreed to donate an 8ha piece of land to build the campus.
Foon Yew High School board chairman Tan Wee Hiong said Najib's announcement is timely as there is a surging demand for enrolment at the school.
He said the high demand showed the confidence of parents in what Foon Yew could offer to their children in terms of Chinese secondary education.
"Since the project has been approved, our next challenge now is to seek financial assistance from the Federal Government, Chinese clans and associations, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
"We will set up a school construction project committee which will look into the population growth in the area and the estimated number of enrolments," he said.
Meanwhile, MCA national organising secretary Datuk Tee Siew Keong said the party played a key role in negotiating with UEM Land for the said project and is grateful to the developer for its generosity.
He said that Foon Yew High School has been producing a pool of excellent students highly sought after by many countries including Singapore.
"This clearly showed that the country's education system is not only accommodative but also focuses on quality to cater to the needs of the market," he said.
The institution, which was established 22 years ago, has positioned itself as the forerunner of tertiary education in the southern region of the country, aiming to provide holistic higher education while implementing the Chinese education system.
Since its inception, the institution has educated many students who hail from various economic backgrounds including those from the lower-income group.
Southern UC is also home to one of the most extensively libraries with rich resources in Chinese literature.
The university college started as the Foon Yew High School in 1975 which offered advanced and professional studies.
In 1986, the school board of directors applied to the Education Ministry to set up a college based on the Foon Yew advanced studies programme.
The application was approved in 1990 despite suffering setbacks.
The journey Southern UC has embarked to become what it is today is a testament to the dedication and perseverance shown by the Chinese community.
Philanthropist Siow Wan Heong donated a 4ha plot of land in Impian Emas for the campus. It was later increased to 6ha.
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| The Foon Yew chain of education institutions is celebrating its centenary anniversary this August. |
(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)
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