The GUINNESS® Torch Fund is a yearly programme started in 1996 with the aim of providing underprivileged, but academically proficient individuals with the opportunity to accomplish their dreams by means of an interest-free student loan. To this end, the GUINNESS® Torch Fund has raised over RM 6 million, helping more than 1300 students.

These students are stringently selected with the help of Dong Jiao Zhong to ensure that they are academically inclined and qualify for the financial assistance before going for their tertiary education abroad. Previous recipients of the GUINNESS® Torch Fund student loan have studied subjects as diverse as aerospace engineering, health care administration and fine arts.

Funds for  GUINNESS® Torch Fund 2007 were raised through two avenues, GUINNESS® Prime Time events and the GUINNESS® Brings Hope for Education campaign earlier this year.

GUINNESS® Prime Time is a series of public social gatherings across Malaysia where discerning GUINNESS® drinkers are treated to live acoustic performances, enjoyable games and lucrative prizes while they enjoy their favourite beverage. These events allow GUINNESS® aficionados to have a great time, but while doing so, they are also contributing to the future of the local Chinese community. This is because a portion of all sales generated during the week prior to and on GUINNESS® Prime Time events is donated into the GUINNESS® Torch Fund, brightening the future of it’s recipients.

Additionally, the GUINNESS® Brings Hope for Education campaign was a nationwide promotion this past Chinese New Year, where GUINNESS® introduced their promotional limited edition 8-can pack. With an attractive packaging and an exclusive Imperial Gold Seal signifying prosperity, these commemorative packs not only make an excellent gift, but also contributed to the GUINNESS® Torch Fund. With every purchase of the Guinness 8-can promotional pack, GUINNESS® channelled RM 2 to the GUINNESS® Torch Fund.

The fact of the matter is that out of the over 7,000 Chinese independent high school graduates every year, over 5000 (about 85%) of them wish to continue their studies in order to achieve a university degree. However, a lot of them are unable to do so primarily due to financial constraints. This is where the Guinness Torch Fund plays an important role in the future of education within the community.