"Education is a lifelong pursuit" says donor David Sin

The Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (ON) Education Foundation has established many awards at the University of Toronto’s professional faculties including the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

Many of our pharmacy students and alumni have been beneficiaries of their two admission awards. Giving back is a core part of the Federation, so Nadia Gibbons, Development Officer at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy asked David Sin Vice President, Awards and Scholarships to elaborate on what motivates him and his organization to donate to student awards at U of T, specifically to professional programs.

David: The Education Foundation is an offshoot of the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (Ontario) whose members comprise of accountants, architects, biomedical professionals, doctors, dentists, engineers, IT professionals, pharmacists, lawyers, etc.

The Foundation was established to promote the advancement of education as one of our ways of giving back. A large part of our funds were donated by our members or their families. Many of our members are graduates of U of T professional programs or have some form of connection directly or indirectly with U of T.

Nadia:  The Federation has two annual admission awards at the Faculty for students beginning their pharmacy degree, what advice do you and the Federation have for students before beginning their careers.

David: Education is a lifelong pursuit. Keep learning and keep improving your craft for the greater good. Start giving back at the beginning of your career in any way you can.

Nadia: David, what is the best part of attending our annual Undergraduate Awards Ceremony (at which you are pictured above with interim Dean Lisa Dolovich, presenting one of your two awards to student Adrian de Boer)

David: Feeling the positive energy and the enthusiasm from the students in the room is invigorating. It reaffirms our commitment to supporting the awards.

Nadia: What do you hope to instil in the recipients?

David:  I hope that the awards encourage them to push beyond their boundaries and to excel in their fields of endeavour. When they become successful professionals or entrepreneurs, they will become a donor as well.

Award recipient Adrian de Boer looks forward to doing just that, “Receiving the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (Ontario) Education Foundation Entrance Scholarship means having the freedom to focus on my passion and explore all the opportunities the PharmD program has to offer.”

Thank you David and the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals for believing in our students and supporting them on their educational journey.

If you are interested in supporting our students, like David and the Federation, please contact the Advancement Office at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at 416-946-5554 or alumni.pharmacy@utoronto.ca