Investing in international students
Learn more about UM alum Tony Lau and his contributions to the University of Manitoba
Tony T.K. Lau [BA/71] came to the University of Manitoba in the late 1960s as an international student. He was active in extra-curricular activities and served as President of the UM International Students’ Organization in 1971-72. He was also a member of UM’s Table Tennis team, competing weekly with other community teams in Winnipeg, and he won the table tennis championship, a tournament organized by University College in 1972. In that same year, he also won the Chinese Chess Tournament, which was organized by the Chinese Students’ Association.
“My time at UM was exceptional. It took a lot of courage to leave my comfort zone, as I had never been anywhere outside of Hong Kong,” said Lau. “But right from when I landed here in Winnipeg, UM was there to welcome the international students and help us find accommodation. UM’s promotion of being hospitable to new students made it stand out from the other schools I looked at applying to.”
After completing his Bachelor of Arts at UM, he went to the University of Toronto to complete his master’s degree. Initially he wanted to become a professor but during the time he was completing his master’s there was a recession in Canada and he noticed that many people with PhDs could not find jobs on campus.
“Many PhDs were doing research work, which had very low wages,” he said. “Then my father decided to retire, and I had to step up and support the family and help my six siblings. Through my sponsorship, four of my siblings came to Canada as immigrants.”
In 1981, Lau founded Tony Lau Insurance Agencies Ltd. in British Columbia where he continues today as President and CEO, overseeing four branches in Greater Vancouver. He is also one of the founding members of the University of Manitoba Chinese Alumni Association of Canada (UMCAA) and is serving as the current President. His activism has continued throughout his career in both business and charitable organizations.
Over the past 25 years, Lau has generously donated over $300,000 to the University of Manitoba. His philanthropic endeavours have enriched the university experience for countless students and have contributed significantly to the advancement of international education and understanding on campus.
“I was on a very limited budget as an international student. After paying for the flights and the tuition fee, and for the things I needed to live in Canada like winter clothing and boots, I only had about $700 left for room and board and other basic expenses to last for the eight months I was in school. I was on a student visa and wasn’t allowed to work during the school year, so that was a very scary eight months,” he said. “I tend to think of my venture into the business world as fate or destiny because I was able to make some money, which I’m now able to donate back to the university.”
In recognition of the support he received as an international student and his desire to give back, Lau established an endowment called the Tony T.K. Lau Prize, which is awarded to the top student of a Chinese History course. In addition, the Tony T.K. Lau Awards for Volunteer Service to International Students fund aims to support student volunteers who have made a meaningful impact in the lives of international students, thus perpetuating a cycle of support and goodwill within the university community.
Lau understands firsthand that feeling a sense of connection and belonging is critical to the successful transition of international students at UM. In recognition of his most recent gift of $100,000, the newly constructed Global Lounge in the International Centre was named in his honour – the Tony T.K. Lau Global Lounge. Envisioned as a space that embraces diversity, global citizenship and cross-cultural exchange, the Tony T.K. Lau Global Lounge will serve as an invaluable resource that supports students’ academic and personal growth, while also promoting intercultural competency and an inclusive and welcoming campus community.
“I wanted to help make the space more inviting to people,” he said. “This lounge can serve as a platform for cultural exchange, where students from different backgrounds can share their cultures, traditions, and experiences. This will help build bridges between different communities and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity.”
In 2019, Lau also established an endowment named the Tony T.K. Lau Lectureship on Contemporary China at the University of Manitoba to bring distinguished individuals to UM to speak about contemporary issues related to China – ranging from trade wars and a slowing economy to human rights crises, social problems, environmental pollution and other timely topics. The lecture occurs once per year in September during Homecoming week with the goal of fostering cultural understanding and enhancing the university’s multicultural landscape.
“In my time, I was lucky that people could come forward to support international students. Now I’m in a place where I can give back and hopefully that will inspire others to continue to support international students as well.”