USJ Macao Successfully Holds First “International Students Solidarity Fund” Fundraising Dinner
USJ Macao Successfully Holds First “International Students Solidarity Fund” Fundraising Dinner
28
Jan
28/01/2026
The University of Saint Joseph successfully launched its International Students Solidarity Fund with a fundraising dinner at the Sofitel Macau in Ponte 16, on January 24, 2026.
On January 24, 2026, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macao successfully launched its International Students Solidarity Fund with a fundraising dinner at the Sofitel Macau in Ponte 16. The fundraising effort was anchored by generous donation of HKD 250,000 from philanthropist Dr. Anthony Kwok-Ki Yeung in December 2025, which established a challenge to match that amount during the event. This challenge was decisively met and exceeded through enthusiastic ticket sales and a successful auction featuring items donated by attendees, and friends of USJ, with the explicit purpose of providing financial assistance to underprivileged international students at USJ.
(From left to right: Dr Anthony Kwok-Ki Yeung and USJ Acting Rector Dr Alejandro Salcedo)
In his welcoming address, Acting Rector Dr. Alejandro Salcedo emphasized the purpose of the fund, “Tonight, we are here for one simple but beautiful reason – to change the future of people we may never meet”. Dr. Salcedo compared giving to the fund to donating blood, an act done without expectation of recognition, adding “It is about knowing that your kindness today will echo into tomorrow, into families, into communities, into generations”,
(Acting Rector of USJ, Dr Alejandro Salcedo)
The International Students Solidarity Fund was established to ensure that no student must abandon their studies due to financial hardship. By removing economic barriers, USJ enables talented scholars from around the world to pursue their education, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community in Macao.
The fundraising dinner also served as a platform to showcase Macao’s philanthropic. “Together, we can show the world that Macao, though small and often known for its bright casino lights and bustling tables full of chips, is also home to people like you, people who sit at tables like these ones this evening to build futures, not fortunes”, remarked Dr. Salcedo.
(Members of the USJ Music Club hosted a performance dance)
(USJ Master’s student Ambrose António hosted the auction session)
The University extends its sincere gratitude to its supporting partner Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16; to all the generous donors including Dr. Yeung, Jorge Neto Valente Lawyers and Notaries, the Alumni Association of the University of Saint Joseph (AAUSJ), Articross, MSS Recruitment, YonYou, Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), CESL Asia, Macau International Airport Co. Ltd. (CAM), Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM), Cozinha Aida, Dr. Rui Cunha, Maria Letizia Loong, Mrs Zhou Shan Yun (周善雲婆婆); to the auction items donators including Artyzen Grand Lapa, Dr. José Sales Marques, Arch. Carlos Marreiros, Ms. Mary Mendoza; Mr Simon Ung Chi Hong; to the anonymous sponsors and donors; and to the media partners Macau Business, and New Macau.
The USJ International Solidarity Fund represents a sustainable model of support that will empower international students for years to come.
For interested individuals and parties in donating to the fund, please visit the USJ Advancement Office website or contact advancement@usj.edu.mo.
