On 11 November 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) and Universidad de Manila (UDM) took place at the university’s Accreditation Room in Ermita, Manila. On behalf of CFBCI, Executive Vice President Gerald Uy Chan, Director/Treasurer and Chairman of Education Committee Richard Alviar, and Director / Chairman of Young Entrepreneurs’ Committee William Rogando signed the agreement.

Before the short program, Dr. Ronald A. Herrera, Vice President for Academic Affairs of UDM, shared the history of the university from its humble beginnings in 1995 until its successful existence today. At present, the university offers 14 programs officially recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 2017. Catering to students belonging to the fringes of society, UDM flaunts its ‘EQUAL opportunities’ approach and excellence in the field of criminology and social work. After Dr. Herrera’s message, a short audio visual presentation was shown, providing a deeper understanding of UDM’s mission and vision: “ to uplift lives through quality education.”

Then, Atty. Rodolfo Castillo, Vice President of Student Success and Support Services of UDM, gave an overview of the partnership between CFBCI and UDM. He emphasized the university’s utmost appreciation to CFBCI’s continuing assistance to their students not only in terms of financial help, but also in providing holistic training and values formation. Afterwards, the ceremonial signing of the agreement was held with the participation of the President of the university, Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria.

In her message of appreciation, Dr. Tria thanked the organization for its commitment “to make a difference” in the lives of their students. Since 2009, UDM has been one of CFBCI’s partner schools and formalizing this enduring bond is considered a huge milestone for both parties. On behalf of CFBCI, EVP Chan also delivered a message of support which received an astounding round of applause from the audience consisting of faculty members, professors, and administrative staff. He encouraged everyone to keep guiding the younger generation towards a brighter future, especially those in disadvantaged situations.

The ceremony was sealed off with a short closing message by Dr. Herrera who consider the partnership as “a fusion of two vital sectors: business and education.” Everyone was beaming with joy after the ceremony and an overwhelming sense of compassion to continue working for the benefit of less fortunate yet hardworking and deserving students.

菲華工商總會訊：本會執行副理事長曾國強、董事曾煥眉、董事杜祖蔭及西文秘書梅西卡，於十一月十一日（星期一）上午十時，前往馬尼拉市立大學（Universidad De Manila簡稱UDM），代表本會與該校簽署合作備忘錄，旨在以本會「點亮未來」助學方案，援助該大學弱勢學生完成學業，且進一步強化本會與馬尼拉市立大學的教育和文化交流。

活動首先由馬尼拉市立大學學術事務副校長 Ronald A. Herrera 博士向所有與會人士介紹該大學從一九九五年至今成功發展的歷史背景，並指出，該大學目前有十四個科系獲得高等教育委員會 (CHED) 正式認可。會中還播放了該校的介紹影片，以利大家更深入的了解該校的使命和「透過優質教育改善生活」的願景。

隨後，馬尼拉市立大學學生成功與支援服務副校長Rodolfo Castillo律師向大家闡述了本會與該校的合作關係，讚揚本會長期提供獎助學金予該校優秀生，並且為了培養學員全方位的成長、吸收新知識，成為德才兼備的青年，每個月都定期邀請「點亮未來」助學方案學友會成員，以其專業擔任專題講座主講人，讓學員們受益匪淺。

接著雙方舉行簽約儀式，本會由執行副理事長曾國強、文教委員會主任曾煥眉、青年企業委員會主任杜祖蔭等人代表簽署；馬尼拉市立大學則由校長Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria博士、副校長 Ronald A. Herrera 博士及副校長Rodolfo Castillo律師等人代表簽署。

校長Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria博士在致詞中，感謝本會致力於「改變」學生的生活，並指出，馬尼拉市立大學從二零零九年以來，就一直是本會合作學校之一，此次簽署合作備忘錄對雙方來說都是一個新的里程碑。

曾國強執行副理事長致詞時，除了表示本會「點亮未來」教育金承諾將繼續對馬尼拉市立大學優秀生提供獎學金以外，並鼓勵所有與會人士要繼續引導年輕一代，特別是家境貧困的學生，幫助他們走向更光明的未來。

活動最後，曾國強執行副理事長代表本會贈送馬尼拉市立大學本會二十週年紀念特刊，馬尼拉市立大學學術事務副校長 Ronald A. Herrera 博士致閉幕詞後，儀式在溫馨和諧的氣氛下圓滿結束。

圖片說明：
上圖：（左起）杜祖蔭，曾煥眉，曾國強，校長Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria博士，副校長Ronald A. Herrera博士，副校長Rodolfo Castillo律師，雙方代表簽署備忘錄。
中圖：展示合同並合影留念。
下圖：贈送本會二十週年紀念特刊。