Newswise — The parent of a George Washington University alumnus is working with the university to establish a scholars program that will bring honors students from the University of Macau, in China, to Washington, D.C.
David Friedman has made a donation to GW to create “The Friedman Fund for Academic Collaboration: University of Macau (UM) and the George Washington University.” The Macau Friedman Scholars Program will provide undergraduate honors students from the University of Macau the opportunity to enroll at GW on a visiting, non-degree basis beginning in the 2014-15 academic year.
“We’re excited to announce this partnership as part of our collaboration across national boundaries,” GW Provost Steven Lerman said. “Cultural and economic connections are more important than ever before, and we feel the Macau Friedman Scholars Program will encourage a rich academic and cultural exchange between our two universities.”
Seven students, selected by the University of Macau from its Honours College, are expected to enroll for the spring 2015 semester. Macau Friedman Scholars will be part of the GW Global Scholars program, housed within the Office of International Programs.
“GW offers unique opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and values cross-cultural relationships with other great educational institutions," Mr. Friedman said. “This is an excellent opportunity to continue to support GW while also supporting the great work being done by the University of Macau and providing outstanding students with opportunities to study in Washington, D.C."
Mr. Friedman has more than 30 years of experience developing and financing large-scale gaming projects, and has opened a variety of major casino, hotel and retail projects in both the United States and Macau. He has donated millions of dollars to education, including previous gifts to GW. Mr. Friedman’s son, Joshua, graduated in 2012 from GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
The gift will cover costs associated with the first cohort of students.
“The University of Macau would like to sincerely thank Mr. David Friedman for his generous donation, and the George Washington University for its partnership to support students of the Honours College at UM to attend GW for their semester study abroad,” said Wei Zhao, rector of the University of Macau. “The agreement contributes to the mission of nurturing future leaders with global perspective — an idea all three parties firmly believe in. The University of Macau looks forward to a fruitful cooperation with the George Washington University for years to come.”
Approximately 30 to 40 visiting students are enrolled at GW at any given time through programs under the GW Global Scholars umbrella, including Carlos Slim Scholars, the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program, Medical Research Fellows within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ International Medicine Programs, Bolashak Scholars from Kazakhstan and Banaa Scholars from South Sudan. The GW Global Scholars program is home to short-term, non-degree seeking and degree-seeking students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to host the Friedman Macau University Scholars at GW beginning in spring 2015,” said Donna Scarboro, associate provost for International Programs. “This program meets our strategic objectives and enables us to expand our worldwide community through friendships in Macau. We will do all in our power to give these select, honors students an unforgettable and rich educational experience in Washington, D.C.”
The George Washington UniversityLocated in the heart of the capital of the United States, George Washington University is one of the top universities in the country. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as professional degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.
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