PRESS RELEASE

AIA PLEDGES US$100 MILLION TO CREATE THE AIA SCHOLARSHIPS

29 October 2020

SUPPORTING 100 OUTSTANDING HONG KONG STUDENTS EACH YEAR

AIA Group Limited (“AIA” or the “Company”: stock code: 1299) is delighted to announce the establishment of the AIA Scholarships. AIA has pledged US$100 million to support 100 undergraduates a year to attend Hong Kong's universities over the next several decades.

AIA Group Chief Executive and President, Lee Yuan Siong, said, “The AIA Scholarships are a major investment in Hong Kong and reflect AIA's great confidence in the future of the city and its young people.

“To be accepted into the AIA Scholarships, we are looking for students who have demonstrated a track record of academic excellence and community service, and who need financial support to pursue their studies. We hope that by providing them with the opportunity for higher education, we can enable them to give more back to their city and build an even better Hong Kong for the future.

“Education is a powerful enabler towards leading a Healthier, Longer, Better Life, empowering people to improve their circumstances and fulfil their dreams. We will encourage Hong Kong's best and brightest young people to study right here in Hong Kong. I look forward to celebrating the achievements of the AIA Scholars well into the future.”

The announcement of the AIA Scholarships coincides with the 10th anniversary of AIA's successful listing on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in October 2010, and follows the Company's centenary celebrated in 2019. AIA has operated in Hong Kong for 89 years.

AIA is partnering with all of Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded universities and two private universities to deliver the programme. Applicants are free to choose any academic discipline offered by the universities and successful applicants will receive an award of HK$50,000 each year throughout their undergraduate programme. The scholarship programme will be executed by the AIA Foundation in close collaboration with the partner universities.

The launch of the AIA Scholarships was announced today at a ceremony attended by Edmund Tse, AIA Group Board Chairman and Director of the AIA Foundation, Lee Yuan Siong, AIA Group Chief Executive and President, the Presidents and representatives of the partner universities, and distinguished guests.

Applications for the AIA Scholarships are now open and can be submitted through the universities. For details, please visit AIA.COM. 
Notes to Editors

The AIA Scholarships are dedicated to supporting local students pursuing their university education in one of the following universities in Hong Kong:

1.     City University of Hong Kong

2.     Hong Kong Baptist University

3.     Hong Kong Shue Yan University

4.     Lingnan University

5.     The Chinese University of Hong Kong

6.     The Education University of Hong Kong

7.     The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

8.     The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

9.     The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

10.    The University of Hong Kong

 

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR(1), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei, Macau SAR(2), New Zealand, and a 49 per cent joint venture in India.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$291 billion as of 30 June 2020.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 36 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).

About AIA Foundation

AIA Foundation was established in 1995 with the mission to create shared value by promoting charitable activities and driving social and economic development. Affirming its long-term commitment to investing and nurturing our children and youth, AIA Foundation strives to build a healthier and more productive future human capital for Hong Kong. Through a wide variety of activities promoting physical, mental and financial health, and in pursuit of its charitable objectives, AIA Foundation is committed to helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives, while actively supporting the less privileged by means of financial assistance and other charitable events to contribute to the community at large.
Contacts

News Media

Stephen Thomas +852 2832 6178
Dudley White +852 2832 1978
Emerald Ng +852 2832 4720
Notes:

  1. Hong Kong SAR refers to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
  2. Macau SAR refers to Macau Special Administrative Region.
 

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