Asia Symbol’s "Realize Your Dreams" first graduation ceremony was held on 5 November 2014 at the premises of Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp Co., Ltd. The “Realise Your Dreams” program was launched in 2011 to provide under-privileged students free university education and employment upon graduation. This program is an initiative of RGE Chairman, Mr Sukanto Tanoto, who is passionate about creating greater educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Asia Symbol, in collaboration with Shandong Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and Rizhao Foreign Affairs Office, enabled students from Guangdong Province, Chongqing City, Heilongjiang Province, Shandong Province and other remote areas to pursue their higher studies in Nanjing Forestry University and Qufu Normal University in China. Today, the pioneer batch of graduates from the class of 2011 has embarked on their career paths with the companies in the group in the locations of Xinhui, Putian & Rizhao.

Huang Wenhai, General Manager of Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd., said that through internships, the pioneer batch of graduates have gained practical working experiences and professional skills, which are invaluable as they begin their careers.

Song Qiang, deputy director of the Rizhao Foreign Affairs Office, said: "Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd. is the largest overseas Chinese company in our province and has made significant contributions to the local economy by providing jobs and doing business with local companies. Asia Symbol reflects a commitment to corporate social responsibility by putting highly qualified students from disadvantaged backgrounds through higher education and providing them with jobs upon graduation, and thus helping to achieve their dreams.”

Ying-Ying from the pioneer batch of “Realise Your Dreams” graduates is grateful to Asia Symbol for “relieving the financial burden of our families during our undergraduate years, therefore enabling us to pursue educational excellence without worries. Furthermore, upon graduation, we are directly employed by the company without having to compete with other graduates for a job. We will work hard to live up to the company’s expectations and to contribute back to society as well.”

Since 2011, "Realise Your Dreams” program has helped over 200 students to achieve their dreams of university education.

Translated from an article published in Rizhao Daily.