NEWS/ HONG KONG/ CITY
Press Release – Immediate
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Changing the Future of Marginalised Ethnic Minority Youth with Scholarships
Bridging the Education Gap, Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders
Hong Kong, 27 March 2025 – The Zubin Foundation organised a luncheon with the inspiring theme “Changing the Future of Youth with Scholarships.” The Zubin Foundation’s 10-year anniversary is a powerful reminder that poverty in the ethnic community continues to rise and there are thousands of individuals who need support. Amongst them is a growing population of youth who wish to study further but do not have the financial means. Our Scholarship Programme is designed to directly address this urgent need, providing them with the financial support to achieve their dreams and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Education Impacts Jobs & Poverty
At The Zubin Foundation, through our direct services on reducing suffering and providing opportunities, we have observed a direct link between education, employment, and poverty levels in the ethnic minority community (Figure 1). Disturbingly, only 18.2% of South Asian children (excluding Indians) attend university, compared to 31.2% of their Chinese counterparts.1 25.8% of South Asians relegate to elementary occupations, often trapped in labour-intensive roles, compared 18.2% of the whole population 2 Most concerning is the statistic that one in three ethnic minority children is living in poverty, compared to one in four in the general population.3 To disrupt this cycle, there is an imperative need for financial scholarships to empower future generations and provide pathways to success.
The Zubin Foundation Scholarships Since 2020 and Our Impact
In 2020, The Zubin Foundation embarked on a mission to transform lives through education by launching our financial scholarship programme. Since then, we've proudly awarded 190 scholarships to ethnic minority youth, creating pathways for a brighter future. The exponential growth in applications, from 89 in 2020 to 370 in 2024, showcases a pressing need for educational support (Figure 2)
We are thrilled to see a rising interest in STEM subjects, with more students diving into fields like Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Nursing, and Medicine and Biomedical Studies. This growth reflects not just ambition, but the potential to shape Hong Kong’s future one scholarship at a time!
The Zubin Foundation is proud to announce the tremendous impact of our Alumni network, built over the last five years. Our recent poll highlights some inspiring outcomes:
• 85% of our Scholars report increased earning potential
• 86% have experienced a boost in self-esteem
• 94% have expanded their social and professional networks
• 72% feel newfound respect from their families
1 Census and Statistics Department Hong Kong SAR (2021) 2021 Hong Kong Population Census.
2 Census and Statistics Department Hong Kong SAR (2021) 2021 Hong Kong Population Census – Thematic Report: Ethnic Minorities. P.15
3 Census and Statistics Department Hong Kong SAR (2017) 2016 Hong Kong Population By-census; Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department. (2012). 2011 Hong Kong Population Census.
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Catherine Husted Chair, Scholarships Committee & Board Vice-Chair, The Zubin Foundation highlighted the essential role of our scholarships in changing lives, saying “The Zubin Foundation is paving the way for youth to study further, and without this financial assistance they would not be able to. Tertiary education changes the trajectory and opportunities for that individual and their entire family and can end poverty.”
Dr Arfeen Bibi, Educator and Member, Scholarships Committee, The Zubin Foundation shared her reflections on the rewarding yet challenging process of selecting scholars, “With years of experience in education, I have witnessed the unique challenges faced by our young ethnic minority students in Hong Kong. On The Zubin Foundation Scholarships Committee with Catherine as our Chair, I have seen first-hand how aspiring students work hard towards their goal of achieving a university education. It is amazing to think that over 5 years The Zubin Foundation has given over 190 scholarships.”
Bhavneet Kaur, Young Women Scholar, studying Bachelor of Business and Administration, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology shared her pressure as the eldest child in the family and how the scholarship induced hope. “I am the first in my family to pursue tertiary education. As the eldest child, I feel responsible to contribute to the family and feel like I cannot ask for money for my university education. I had to find a way somehow to get the funding. The Scholarship provided me with the funding without which I could not go to university. I also received capacity building training. Before I received the scholarship, I could not have done public speaking. I also secured an internship through The Zubin Foundation I enjoyed the work I did, and the company has offered me to join back. I am proud to be a scholar of The Zubin Foundation”
Further reinforcing this vision, Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO of The Zubin Foundation emphasised the importance of scholarships in bridging the gap, “one of the greatest ways to end poverty is through education It opens new pathways and networks, and changes the lives of children born into families with a university education.”
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2: The Zubin Foundation Scholarships Applications and Scholarships Given (2020-2024)
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FIGURES
Figure 1: Education Impacts Jobs and Poverty
Figure
Opening Remarks by Catherine Husted (Chair, Scholarships Committee & Board ViceChair, The Zubin Foundation)
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Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Group photo (from left to right): Dr. Arfeen Bibi (Member, Scholarships Committe, The Zubin Foundation) | Neil Howard (Sponsor of The Zubin Foundation Scholarships) [Back] | Catherine Husted (Chair, Scholarships Committee & Board Vice-Chair, The Zubin Foundation) [Front] | Shalini Mahtani, MH, MBE (Founder and CEO, The Zubin Foundation) | Theresa Cunanan (Chair, Postgraduate Scholarships Committee) | Sriya Thapa (Young Women Scholar, Studied Bachelor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, UOW College) | Bhavneet Kaur (Young Women Scholar, Studying Bachelor of Business and Administration, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) | Aesha Ijaz (Young Women Scholar, Studying Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, The University of Hong Kong) | Mohsin Gadit (Sponsor of The Zubin Foundation Scholarship) | AnujaAgarwal (Member, Scholarships Committee) | Saajandeep Singh (Member, Scholarships Committee)
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ABOUT THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION
Closing Remarks by Shalini Mahtani, MH, MBE (Founder and CEO, The Zubin Foundation)
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The Zubin Foundation (registered charity in Hong Kong: IR 91/12344), named after Zubin Mahtani Gidumal, is an integrated service provider for Hong Kong's ethnic minorities. We improve the lives of Hong Kong's ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities. With a dedicated team of 25 staff, we have positively impacted over 12,000 individuals, empowering communities to thrive in 2023.
The Zubin Foundation 10 Years of Transforming Lives of Hong Kong’s Ethnic Minorities: As we celebrate our tenth year, The Zubin Foundation is more determined than ever to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities. Over the past decade, we have transformed lives by reducing suffering and providing opportunities to Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities. Our ten-year anniversary is a powerful reminder that poverty in our community continues to rise and there are thousands of individuals who are in need of support, whether women victims of domestic violence, elderly individuals living alone, or children facing mental health problems.
The Zubin Foundation relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its work. For more information, please visit: www.zubinfoundation.org
PRESS / GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Matthew YU, The Zubin Foundation E: matthew@zubinfoundation.org | Tel: 2540 9588 / 6084 9333
For interview requests with the individuals mentioned in this press release, please contact The Zubin Foundation to arrange further media engagement.