OOCL supports charitable program to hand out over 400,000 books across

OOCL announced that it is sponsoring the Books for Asia program, distributing over 400,000 new books to students in need from 18 developing countries across Asia.

Organized and spearheaded by The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in San Francisco, USA, the Books for Asia program has distributed over 46 million books and other education materials to a wide range of learning institutions since 1954. It is widely recognized by publishers as one of the world’s most effective book donation programs.

“We are thrilled to partner with Books for Asia and advance our social responsibility values,” said Andy Tung, OOCL Chief Operating Officer. “OOCL has a long tradition of commitment to education, beginning with our founder, the late Mr. C.Y. Tung, who liked to say that ships can be used for carrying ideas as well as cargo. We honor and respect his legacy, and are proud today to support a well-established, transformative program like Books for Asia.”

OOCL has committed to underwriting the transportation costs of the books going to schools, universities, and libraries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri-Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam in 2012 and 2013.

This contribution will allow the program to distribute a significant number of English-language books into the hands of those that need them the most and where they are often unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

The Asia Foundation’s president David D. Arnold said, “OOCL is a shining example of generous corporate support of our book program. Their contribution ensures that books donated by the world’s leading publishers will continue to reach an impressive number of students in Asia, helping them to develop to their full potential and contribute to their countries’ development.”

“We are very grateful and excited to work with a partner that shares our vision for a connected and educated Asia, placing a strong emphasis on the values of community, impact, and innovation in a rapidly developing region.” < Korea Shipping Gazette >