ISTANBUL: Berjaya group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan scored big time in his bid to assist Syrian refugees in Turkey, after a fruitful meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday.
Speaking to the press after visiting the president, Tan revealed that Erdogan has agreed to provide a piece of land to the Tzu Chi Foundation of which he is a volunteer, for the purpose of building a new school for the refugees.
In addition, the president also agreed to provide Advanced Continuing Education (ACE) certificates to up to 3,000 refugee students each year.
This is an increase from the current quota of only 531, which will allow their examination results to be recognised in other countries when furthering their studies.
Currently, some 3,000 Syrian children are pursuing their education at the El Menahil International School, which is deemed by the Turkish government to be over-populated.
Tan, who was ostensibly upbeat and cheerful during the press conference, described the hour-long meeting with Erdogan as “very positive”, saying the president is extremely supportive of Tzu Chi’s plans and works.
“We came here to help Tzu Chi in their bid to assist the refugees, and I think we have achieved much more than we initially expected, especially after we managed to pay a courtesy call on the president.
“Because Tzu Chi did not have access or direct contact with the government, I used whatever contacts I have to meet Erdogan,” he said.
Tan added he is also looking at possibly investing in the tourism sector in Istanbul, and is considering developing a hotel here.
Present at the meeting with the president were, among others, Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Merve Kavakci, Top Glove Corporation Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai, Berjaya Times Square chief operating officer Morvin Tan, as well as Faisal Hu and wife Nadia Chou, -- a couple who leads Tzu Chi’s Istanbul chapter.
Faisal said Erdogan has agreed to arrange further meetings between his office and Tzu Chi on the proposal to allocate a land for the new school and the plan to register the students under ACE.
He said although it would take some time to build a new school, it is a “dream come true” for Tzu Chi and the students in particular.
The current school (El Menahil International School) was set up by the Sultangazi government, Syrian teachers and Tzu Chi in 2015 and provides classes for all levels of primary, elementary and secondary.
Meanwhile, Lim said Erdogan would consider allowing Top Glove, to build a glove factory in Turkey, that would subsequently provide job opportunities to between 500 and 1,000 individuals.
“We even suggested that maybe a portion of this job openings be provided to the Syrian refugees. And he is very receptive of this proposal,” Lim said.
Tan and Lim are currently on a special three-day mission to Syria, along with 25 Malaysian Tzu Chi volunteers, to provide financial assistance and other aid to the refugees here.
