Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards Extended for 10 Years

Additional HK$100 Million Pledged by Cheung Kong and Australian Government for Australia-Asia Student Exchange

7 July, 2009

The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards were extended for a further ten years at a signing ceremony in Melbourne today, attended by the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education of the Australian Government, and Mr H L Kam, Group Managing Director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited.

The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards represent a partnership between the Cheung Kong Group and the Australian Government to promote educational exchange opportunities between Australia and Asia. Under the extension, the Cheung Kong Group will contribute A$7.5 million (about HK$46.5 million) to the programme over the next ten years, which will be equally matched by the Australian Government. The A$15 million (about HK$93 million) total funding will provide for over 2,500 student exchanges and research fellowships for Australian and Asian scholars.

Launched in 2004, the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards have already supported around 500 Australian students to take up educational exchange opportunities in Asia and 500 Asian students in exchanges to Australia over the past five years. The Awards present an exceptional opportunity to foster mutual understanding between students in Australia and Asia. They have proved to be an invaluable channel for nurturing exchange between Australia and Asia and for giving students more opportunities to widen their international perspective before they embark on their careers and working lives.

The Hon Julia Gillard MP commented: "One way in which the Australian Government supports the internationalization of education is through our unique partnership with the Cheung Kong Group."

"The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship Program not only provides pathways for individuals from Australia and Asia to undertake an international study experience, it also assists in the progression of the social and economic environment of Asia and Australia by strengthening bilateral ties and expanding the cross-cultural dialogue between the countries involved," she continued.

Mr H L Kam said: "Over 15 years, the Awards will promote the movement of 3,500-4,000 students between Australia and the Asian region. This unique group of students represents a very significant body of influential young people that play a valuable role as ambassadors for Australia and Asia."

"The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards have now been extended through to the year 2020. My 2020 vision is to see the Awards reach as many Australian and Asian students as possible, which will have a positive impact on strengthening economic, political and social bonds between Australia and Asian countries."

"We are proud to have the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful programme. With the support of all concerned parties, I am confident that the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards will be a continued success in the coming years," he concluded.

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Photos

The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards were extended for a further ten years at a signing ceremony in Melbourne today, attended by the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education of the Australian Government (right), and Mr H L Kam, Group Managing Director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited (left).

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education of the Australian Government (front row, centre left); Mr H L Kam, Group Managing Director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited (front row, centre right); senior executives of CitiPower Pty and Powercor Australia Ltd; and awardees of the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards attended the signing ceremony today.

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