Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) is a unique, first-of-its-kind structure in Malaysia within the field of private higher education, modelled along the lines of some of the oldest and most eminent universities in the world, such as Harvard University. To date, the Foundation retains ownership and equity of 16 learning institutions and entities valued at more than RM720 million (now in excess of RM1 billion), making it the largest education-focused social enterprise in Malaysia. The Foundation is also the education philanthropy arm of Sunway Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Malaysia. https://www.sunway.com.my/
Through a gift of USD10 million, the JCF has entered a partnership with UN Sustainable Development Solution Network and established the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development in Sunway University in 2016. The first of its kind in Asia, the centre serves as a hub for the education and advancement of sustainability across South East Asia.
Governed by a distinguished board of eleven trustees, the Foundation aims to
safeguard the institutions in perpetuity by ensuring that the assets and operating surpluses are used to perpetuate the cause of providing and sustaining quality education for present and future generations of students. It continues the mandate of the Sunway Education Trust Fund established in March 1997, and both entities have disbursed scholarships amounting to RM330 million to thousands of deserving students to-date.
Jeffrey Cheah Foundation was launched on 18 March 2010 by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, in the presence of its Royal Patron, H.R.H. The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj.
