December 30, 2013 At a handover ceremony at the FSM President's Office, Mr. Kasio E. Mida, Chairman of the College of Micronesia-FSM Board of Regents, and the COM-FSM Acting President Joseph Habuchmai represented the college in receiving a $100,000 donation from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation. The donation was formally announced during the occasion of the trip by Federated States of Micronesia President Manny Mori to Hong Kong last month, during which the President also availed time to meet with the FSM Honorary Consul in Hong Kong, Dr. Tan Siu Lin. Dr. Tan is the founder and chairman of the foundation.
Before giving the check to the college representatives, President Mori commented on the usefulness of this kind of support that compliments the FSM's long-term priority for post-secondary education. He also acknowledged the work done by Ambassador Akilino H. Susaia, FSM Ambassador to China, which expedited the processes to bring in this specific donation. On behalf of the COM-FSM community, Mr. Mida thanked President Mori and conveyed the college's appreciation for his strong support over the years. He also remarked, "the gift from the Tan Sui Lin Foundation is greatly appreciated and welcome, and we will make sure the college will make good use of it to strengthen its programs for and services to our students". COM-FSM Acting President Habuchmai joined Mr. Mida in highlighting the college's gratitude toward the Tan Siu Lin Foundation and thanked the FSM Government for its part in securing the assistance.
To protect supporters' confidence in COM-FSM, President Mori encouraged the college to put in place a particular system for the acceptance of assistance such as this in a manner that mutually addresses the good intentions of the donor and the prioritized needs of the college.
Present with President Mori were Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert, Ambassador Susaia and Chief of Staff Leo Falcam Jr.