Forbes magazine has included four Taiwanese in its annual list of the most notable philanthropists in the Asia-Pacific region, for their efforts in developing talent, sponsoring research and promoting culture.
With an estimated fortune of US$4.48 billion, Samuel Yin (尹衍樑), chairman of Taiwanese conglomerate Ruentex Group, is one of the four Taiwanese on Forbes’ “48 Heroes of Philanthropy” list published on Wednesday in the US.
The 63-year-old donated US$14.6 million last year to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University for developing medical talent, and another US$4 million to help the government promote Taiwanese culture abroad.
Yin also dedicated US$100 million to establish the Tang Prize, which recognizes leaders in four fields: sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology and rule of law.
The winners of the first Tang Prizes were announced last week, with each set of winners awarded US$1.6 million.
The second listed Taiwanese is Robert Yeh (葉寅夫), chairman of LED packaging house Everlight Electronics Co.
The 63-year-old has contributed US$3.4 million toward the construction of a 13-story building in downtown Taipei for his alma mater — National Taipei University of Technology.
The third philanthropist is Lee Pong-shong (李鵬雄), chairman of wood furniture manufacturer Fancy Wood Industries Public Co, who started a foundation in 1997 in memory of his late father.
The foundation is aimed at boosting the nation’s public library system.
Lee, 64, has donated US$12 million to build four libraries, including US$4.3 million for a new branch in Taipei that features a collection of books on horticulture.
The last Taiwanese on Forbes’ list is private investor Hsu Hang-chien (徐航健).
The 71-year-old gave US$4 million last year to his alma mater, Tamkang University in Taipei. The university said it will use the donation, the largest it has ever received, to help build an international conference center.
For the eighth straight year, Forbes has spotlighted notable philanthropists in the Asia-Pacific region, especially those who made news in the past year by launching new and innovative projects.
The 48-member honor roll ranges from billionaires with expansive visions of how best to help society to less well-known business people whose generosity is also leaving a huge mark, according to the US business magazine.
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