Malaysia NRI donates 8 million pounds
to set up medical school in Scotland
Kuala Lumpur, February 22, 2008
Roop Sharma
NRI Vinod Balachandra Sekhar, 39, is one of Malaysia's most prominent
businessmen, philanthropists, has donated 8 million pounds to setting
up research center for cancer, psychology and infectious diseases
at medical school in Scotland. This donation is part of total cost
of 45 million pounds building at the University of St Andrews.The
medical school is expected to start construction this summer, pending
planning approval, and is due to be completed by 2010
The medical school center will be named Dr B C Sekhar (his father),
who is known in Malaysia as the father of the natural rubber industry.
Dr Brian Lang, Principal and vice-chancellor of the University
said, “This is about establishing Scotland as a world-leading
centre for multi-disciplinary leading edge research.”
Vinod Sekhar said:
- It’s about finding solution for diseases and problems
that are worldwide and he was delighted to be involved.
- What I saw when I visited St Andrews in December was a major
university that has an integrated approach to the sciences in
terms of research and development and I’m very pleased to
be involved
- This donation will be used to finance a scholarship fund which
will allow students from across Asia to study at St Andrews.
Vinod is ranked the 16th richest businessman in Malaysia in 2006
and 2007. He is estimated by Forbes Asia to be worth RM 1.2 billion.
He is also the youngest on the list.
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