Latest News

Major donation helps KPU expand research capacity

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 11:25 PDT, Wed May 26, 2021

A major donation from the Dr. Sherman Jen Education Foundation will allow Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) to expand its applied research capacity. The $3-million gift will also support students pursuing global studies.

Dr. Sherman Jen founded Maple Leaf Educational Systems (MLES) in 1995, blending the western curriculum and teaching methods with traditional Chinese approaches to education. It has since expanded to 115 schools spanning preschool to high school with a student population of more than 46,000.

Jen’s innovative educational leadership has been recognized by both Chinese and Canadian governments. Jen has also been recognized for his services to education and to cross-cultural understanding.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Jen and his team in the establishment of their high school at our Richmond campus,” said KPU president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alan Davis. “Throughout this process, Dr. Jen has been a great friend to KPU, and I am delighted to announce this exciting new facet to our relationship.”

“MLES adheres to the philosophy of blending the best of China and the West in offering quality education, and is committed to the mission of providing an elite education to all students regardless of race, colour or nationality,” says Jen.

The donation will create an endowment, to be held by the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation, that will be used to create two Sherman Jen research chairs. Each chair will be allocated for a term of five years, renewable for an additional term. When they conclude, KPU will then be able to choose new research chairs in other key areas for many decades to come.

The inaugural chairs will be appointed in two very key areas for KPU: next-generation design and applied genomics.

The endowment will also support 10 scholarships in global studies each year in studies abroad through field schools and studies at other universities.

See more canada news

See All

See more international news

  See All
© 2024 Richmond Sentinel News Inc. All rights reserved. Designed by Intelli Management Group Inc.