Raymond Heung, a dedicated entrepreneur and philanthropist, continues to make a transformative impact at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) through his generous support of students and community-driven initiatives.
Raymond Heung (1969) and the industrial refrigerator that the Y. P. Heung Foundation's donation provided for the KPU Farm in Richmond.
Heung's latest contribution, a $300,000 gift from the Y. P. Heung Foundation, will provide annual awards to 80 students across multiple faculties and support sustainable agriculture efforts at the university.
"When I first arrived in Canada, I saw firsthand how education opened doors and allowed me to build a life of success," says Heung. "I'm passionate about helping students today find their path, no matter their background or circumstances."
Heung has always believed in the power of education to break down barriers and create opportunities. He arrived in Canada in 1966 to study at the University of Ottawa and became a Canadian citizen several years later. Over the years, Heung built a successful business career while giving back to his community. In 2012, he and his wife, Terry, established the Y. P. Heung Foundation in memory of his father.
"My father was a very hard-working guy," says Heung. "He was born into poverty in rural China and eventually started his own textile business. He is a great example of what it means to be resilient."
The foundation supports programs that benefit youth in the areas of education, health, arts and culture. It first made its mark at KPU in 2014 with a $10,000 donation to support a media and digital literacy program. Since that time, Heung's philanthropy has grown significantly, with the total lifetime giving to KPU now exceeding $627,000. This ongoing support has helped establish several key initiatives, including the Y. P. Heung Foundation Post-Secondary Awards, which benefit students in a variety of disciplines.
Heung's latest commitment will fund 16 annual awards over the next five years. These awards will provide crucial financial assistance to students across a range of programs, including arts, design, horticulture and science. The foundation also created a dedicated award for Indigenous students, underscoring Heung's belief in equal opportunities for all.
Heung has also provided vital support to KPU's Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture program. In June 2024, a $50,195 donation helped purchase an industrial refrigerator for the KPU Farm in Richmond, enabling the university to extend the shelf life of its organic produce and support local food banks.
"We are so thankful to Raymond Heung and the Y. P. Heung Foundation for their commitment to partner with us in combatting food insecurity," says Rebecca Harbut, chair of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at KPU. "The storage capacity this cooler provides will allow us to produce more crops and extend the time we are able to provide organic produce to our community through our partnerships with the Richmond Food Bank as well as the KPU Sustainable Agriculture Student Association (SASA) food security program."
Heung's commitment to tackling food insecurity extends further, with an $18,000 donation in December 2023 to the SASA and the KPU Student Association (KSA) to support a joint initiative aimed at providing fresh, organic produce to KPU students in need.
"We are grateful to Raymond Heung and his family for their visionary commitment to create positive impact through education," says Randall Heidt, Vice President of External Affairs and CEO of the KPU Foundation. "Their generous gift will have a profound impact on KPU students' lives."
As a long-time supporter of KPU and its students, Heung hopes that his legacy of giving continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.
"Education has the power to close the economic inequality gap, and I'm proud to play a small role in that process," he said. "I hope my contributions inspire others to invest in the future of our youth."
The Y. P. Heung Foundation is committed to funding organizations that foster the talents and abilities of youth in British Columbia, including nine post-secondary institutions in the Lower Mainland.
