May 24, 2024
Tzu Chi signs MOA with UDM to support underprivileged students
By Ben Baquilod
Universidad de Manila (UDM) and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines sealed a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on May 22 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
“In a society where access to quality education is often hindered by financial constraints, this partnership is a beacon of hope,” said Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, UDM President and Chief Academic and Executive Officer. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the Tzu Chi Foundation for their generosity, compassion, and belief in the power of education to change lives.”
Shedding light on students’ struggles of the state university, a “school for the underprivileged,” Dr. Carlos-Tria shared alarming data on the dropout rate at UDM, which has reached up to 41%. Their studies found that students often give up schooling to work due to financial incapacity. “They don’t have enough money to go to school on a daily basis,” she said.
Dr. Carlos-Tria also mentioned several cases of students fainting in school because of hunger, prompting the university to establish a community pantry and soup kitchen in the campus. “I’m very glad that the UDM community, from the faculty and staff to student organizations, have been volunteering to give food to our soup kitchen,” said Dr. Carlos-Tria.
Tzu Chi’s awareness of students’ economic hardships and its sincerity to addressing these issues is among the foundation’s inspirations to expand its scholarship program and solidify its partnership with universities. Since its establishment in 1994, Tzu Chi’s educational assistance program has granted at least 13,000 scholarships to elementary, high school, and college students. Currently, Tzu Chi supports 1,294 scholars nationwide.
The foundation’s scholarship program provides students with generous monthly stipends and allowances for transportation and lodging, food, internet, books, uniform, and other school needs.
In addition to financial and material aid, Tzu Chi offers character formation and skills training to its scholars through its monthly Humanity classes. These classes serve as an avenue where students learn about Tzu Chi philosophy, essential life skills, financial literacy and management, and receive mentorship and guidance from Tzu Chi volunteers.
Former Tzu Chi scholar and now social worker for the Charity Department Daniella Macogue testified to the life-changing opportunity given to her by the organization. Growing up in a low-income household, she faced numerous difficulties in her first year of college, such as not having money to buy food at school.
Things changed for Macogue when she became a scholar in her second year, helping her graduate in 2023 with Latin honors and securing a job at Tzu Chi. Aside from the financial help she received from Tzu Chi, she thanked the foundation for the monthly Humanity classes that has molded her to become the person she is today, “a girl with confidence and a good heart.”
“Tzu Chi has been a big part of my life,” she said, emphasizing that there is no rich or poor when it comes to giving help and doing good. “I really appreciate the value of the Tzu Chi coin cans. For me, it symbolizes reciprocation of help and continuing the cycle of goodness and love.”
Jhasmine Yecla, a graduating student from UDM shared similar sentiments about the impact of Tzu Chi’s scholarship program on her. A daughter of a tricycle driver, her family lacked the means to sustain her schooling, so she diligently sought for college scholarships and fortunately encountered Tzu Chi. “Through Tzu Chi, I have received not only material and financial support but also moral and emotional support from a caring community,” she said.
Hearing these testimonies, UDM President Dr. Carlos-Tria expressed gratitude, hope, and excitement for the strengthened collaboration between the two institutions. “With your support, not only financially, but spiritually, morally, to our students, I think that is really the push that they need to finish,” she said.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez and Universidad de Manila (UDM) President Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria leads the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement to provide scholarships to underprivileged students of UDM.
From left to right: Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Peggy Sy Jiang, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, Universidad de Manila (UDM) President Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ronald Herrera.
“Thank you, Tzu Chi Foundation, for being the light when it was too dark for me to continue my degree,” says Daniella Macogue, a former Tzu Chi scholar from Universidad de Manila, now a social worker in the Tzu Chi Charity Department.
“Your scholarship not only alleviated the financial burden of my family but also opened doors to numerous learning opportunities for my personal and academic growth,” says Jhasmine Yecla, Tzu Chi scholar from Universidad de Manila.
Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, President of Universidad de Manila, conveys deep gratitude to Tzu Chi for partnering with their institution. “I cannot express how much help you are providing to our students.”
Universidad de Manila executives take a group photo with Tzu Chi executives and staff.
Universidad de Manila executives and officials take a group photo with Tzu Chi officials.