NEWS/ HONG KONG/ CITY
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Press Release – Embargo until 5.30 pm, 22 Nov 2025 (Sat)
Underprivileged Ethnically Diverse Youth Aspire to Greatness Amid Adversity The Zubin Foundation 6th Scholarships Award Ceremony · 51 Dreams · 51 Smiles
Hong Kong, 22 November 2025 – Barriers were broken and dreams took flight today as The Zubin Foundation honoured a new batch of scholars at its 6th Scholarships Award Ceremony, reaffirming its mission to improve the lives of the ethnically diverse communities in Hong Kong by providing opportunities. Held at Blueprint, Taikoo Place, the event honoured 51 outstanding grassroots students who have overcome financial hardship and social barriers to pursue higher education.
The ceremony was graced by Dr. Christine Choi, Secretary for Education, as Guest of Honour, alongside donors, sponsors, and supporters, scholars and their families. This year’s awards include 42 Young Persons Scholarships, 4 Full Tuition Scholarships, the Meena Mirchandani Scholarship, the Swire Trust Scholarship, and 3 Postgraduate Scholarships sponsored by Lee Hysan Foundation. The scholarships represent a lifeline for students striving to break cycles of poverty and marginalisation.
Shalini Mahtani, Founder & CEO of The Zubin Foundation shared, “Today is a celebration of resilience and opportunity. When we started this programme, we hoped to make a small difference. Five years later, we have awarded 241 scholarships since 2020, and this year alone, we received 349 applications – a clear sign that the desire for education is growing in Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities. These young people are not just recipients; they are future leaders. We are deeply grateful to our donors, committee members, and partners who make this possible.”
Collaboration Matters
Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities often face both systemic and cultural challenges – such as language barriers, limited access to resources, and financial hardship. For many families, tertiary education feels out of reach. The Zubin Foundation bridges this gap through scholarships, mentorship, and holistic support. But this mission is only possible because of collective effort – donors, committees, and volunteers working hand in hand.
“Before receiving the scholarship, I was juggling multiple part-time jobs while studying Biochemistry at the University of Hong Kong. The financial support allowed me to focus on academics and join the MIT iGEM competition, where our team won Hong Kong’s first-ever gold medal in Paris. Beyond funding, the mentorship programme opened doors I never imagined – like sitting in the cockpit of a plane! This scholarship gave me confidence that my dreams are valid.” – Saleem Yusra (2024 Cohort Scholar).
“As a mother of two and the first in my family to attend university, the Young Women Scholarship was a blessing. It eased my financial burden and gave me the courage to continue my degree in Early Childhood Education. I want to show other women that marriage and motherhood should never end their educational journey.” - Khadija (2024 Cohort Scholar).
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
Since 2020, The Zubin Foundation has awarded 241 scholarships, empowering students from Pakistani, Nepalese, Indian, and other ethnically diverse backgrounds. The programme includes mentorship, networking, and volunteering opportunities, fostering holistic development beyond academics.
Every scholarship awarded today is more than financial aid – it is a spark that ignites possibility. These 51 scholars will go on to inspire countless others, proving that when opportunity meets determination, the future becomes limitless.
Group Photo (from left to right, from bottom to top):
• 1st Row: Anuja Agarwal, Research Head at Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA); Ringo Yeung, Project Manager at Lee Hysan Foundation; Jafar Amin, Chief Executive at Qatar National Bank Hong Kong & Greater China; Catherine Husted, Head of Social Impact Hong Kong at A&O Shearman; Dr. Christine Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education HKSAR; Shalini Mahtani, Founder and CEO at The Zubin Foundation; Dr. Theresa Cunanan, Senior Lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University; Prof Sandra Tsang, Hon Associate Prof, JP. at The University of Hong Kong; Dr. Arfeen Bibi, Associate Vice Principal cum Director of Intl. Division at Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School; Sala Sihombing, Accredited Family and General Mediator
• 2nd – 5th Rows: Scholars of 2025 Cohort
Download here: https://bit.ly/3LPMRKE
NOTE TO EDITORS
A. The Zubin Foundation Scholarship 2025 Categories and Selection Criteria
• This year’s awards include:
o 42 Young Persons Scholarships – Supporting students with financial need and academic potential + Mentorship
o 4 Full Tuition Scholarships – Covering entire tuition fees for exceptional candidates + Mentorship
o 1 Meena Mirchandani Scholarship – Dedicated to empowering young women + Annual Stipend + Annual Stipend + Mentoring
o 1 Swire Trust Scholarship – Entire tuition fees backed by The Swire Group Charitable Trust + Annual Stipend + Mentorship
o 3 Postgraduate Scholarships sponsored by Lee Hysan Foundation – For advanced degree aspirants + Living Expenses + Mentorship
• Selection criteria included financial need, academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, and interview results.
B. Sponsors of The Zubin Foundation 2025 Scholarships
Corporate Sponsors
• A&O Shearman
• Fitzroy Foundation
• Forma Lighting (Hong Kong) Ltd
• Friends International Immigration Consulting Limited
• Grand Step HK Ltd
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Hummingbird Music Ltd
Individual Sponsors
• Catherine Husted
• LAI Ting Ngai Annie
• Lakshmi & Gokul Laroia
• MA, Ka Ming Teresa
• Mayurh Aggarwal
• Mohsin Gadit & Naaz Shah
• Omar & Shafa Haq
• Sangeeth Aiyappa & Jack Fernandes
• IBI Group Limited
• Lee Hysan Foundation
• MTR Corporation Limited
Improving the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities by reducing suffering and providing opportunities
• Sonya Mahbubani
• The Swire Group Charitable Trust
• Wells Fargo
ABOUT THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION
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 ethnically diverse communities. We improve the lives of Hong Kong's ethnically diverse individuals by reducing suffering and providing opportunities.
The Zubin Foundation 10 Years of Transforming Lives of Hong Kong’s Ethnically Diverse Communities: As we celebrate our tenth year, The Zubin Foundation is more determined than ever to improve the lives of Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse individuals. Over the past decade, we have transformed lives by reducing suffering and providing opportunities to Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities. 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