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International Alumnus Provides Two New Trent University Students with Unique Internship in Hong Kong

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Inaugural Justin Chiu Interns Timothy Shah and Dean Howley to Spend Summer Working with Leading Multi-National Conglomerate

Wednesday, June 23, 2010, Peterborough

After establishing two important new funds at Trent University in 2009 through a generous $1 million gift, international alumnus and world-renowned property developer, Justin Chiu, has stepped forward once again to support international learning at his alma mater by sponsoring two Trent students for a summer 2010 internship at Cheung Kong (Holdings), one of the largest developers of residential, office, retail, industrial and hotel properties in Hong Kong.

The two interns, Timothy Shah and Dean Howley, have been outstanding students during their time at Trent. They will be provided an apartment in Hong Kong, and will be employed full-time in the property development division of Cheung Kong (Holdings).

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two of Trent’s leadership students,” said Dr. Michael Allcott, director of the Trent International Program (TIP), which coordinates the internships. “The internship will provide them both with invaluable real-life experience in one of the world’s leading businesses. And they will have the opportunity to grow and learn the mentorship of one of Trent’s most successful alumni, Justin Chiu.”

Mr. Chiu has arranged for a warm welcome for the Trent interns, providing them an apartment on the harbourfront, with a 270 degree view of Hong Kong Island. He is committed to providing others the opportunity to learn from international perspectives as he did during the 1970s at Trent, saying, “It is indeed an exciting mission to receive both of the interns to the Cheung Kong community.”

Timothy Shah, a graduate of the Environmental & Resource Studies and Human Geography programs, was heavily involved as a student at Trent. A member of the student group, Sustainable Trent, he also started a blog (www.enviroboys.com) about the environment and current affairs with a friend and classmate. In addition, Mr. Shah, who is originally from Toronto, participated in intramural sports and was a financial officer for the Student Refugee Program through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). He was also student don of the Trent Global Living Community, a living-learning community within Trent’s Champlain College. Throughout his time at Trent, Mr. Shah was presented with several awards and honours including, the 2009 Donning Programmer of the Year Award, the TIP Staff Award, given to a Canadian student who contributes significantly to the international community, and the Leonard Conolly Award for involvement in WUSC. Following the internship, he will begin studies in the Master’s of Urban Planning program at UBC.

Dean Howley graduated with a degree in Business Administration. A leader in ethics, the Business Administration program at Trent is focused on introducing students to work experiences through internships. As a student at Trent, Mr. Howley was one of the first participants in the program’s Field Based Studies pilot and served as an intern with Operitel, a front line, leading-edge, software development firm. Originally from Stirling, Ontario, Mr. Howley also dedicated three years of service to the Trent Business Students’ Association and was an Introductory Seminar Week leader, providing guidance to new students. He was also a member of Trent Students Offering Support (SOS) and participated in the Trent chapter of AIESC, the world’s largest student-run organization, which provides an international platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential to have a positive impact on society. A member of the novice men’s varsity rowing team in his first year, Mr. Howley was also involved in many intramural sports, including hockey, volleyball and water polo. During his time at the University, he was honoured with several scholarships and awards, including the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Student Award for Business Excellence.

In his native Hong Kong, Justin Chiu is described as one of the most inspired and innovative property developers in the city. Mr. Chiu graduated from Trent in 1978 with a joint degree in Sociology and Economics. Since returning to Hong Kong, he has worked for three blue-chip companies in Asia and is currently an Executive Director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited. In addition, Mr. Chiu is the chairman of ARA Asset Management Limited, the Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust and the Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust. Since 2003, he has acted as an external advisor to the Chinese government through the Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

In 2009, Justin Chiu established two important new endowed funds at Trent University through a generous $1 million gift. The Justin Chiu International Scholarship provides a full scholarship to an outstanding international student attending Trent University. The Rita Chiu Study Abroad Bursaries, named in honour of Justin Chiu’s wife, are intended to encourage study and research abroad experiences and to offer support to those students who may think this unique educational opportunity is beyond their economic reach.

A fully-integrated, multi-discipline property development company, Cheung Kong (Holdings) is one of the largest developers of residential, office, retail, industrial, and hotel property in Hong Kong. With its long history of property development expertise, Cheung Kong Holdings has built many of Hong Kong's most notable landmark buildings and complexes. About one in seven private residences in Hong Kong were developed by the company. The company is also a leader in marketing and after-sales services.

For more information about Justin Chiu and the new internship program, visit www.trentu.ca/chiuscholarship

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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Michael Allcott, Director, Trent International Program, (705) 748-1280