VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The ASEAN's Foundation for Orphans Education (Yawatim ASEAN) has initiated the development of University of Anak Yatim ASEAN  in Pekanbaru,  capital of Riau province, to provide free higher education for orphans in the region.

"Insya Allah (God willing), the groundbreaking ceremony will be held on August 24, and attended by the Indonesian religious affairs minister and representatives of ASEAN member countries," Riau Governor Syamsuar said Pekanbaru, Riau on Sunday.

The university will be built on  100 hectares of waqf (endowment) land contributed by local residents. Parts of its campus will also be built in Kampar District, some 100 km from Pekanbaru, Syamsuar said.

Yawatim ASEAN has affiliated with Yawatim Malaysia which has helped orphans in the country study at the University College Bestari of Terengganu.

In addition to the development of the university for orphans, Yawatim ASEAN  also plans to establish a long-distance class for orphans and poor children in the region.

The foundation has prepared Rp13 billion, collected from individuals' cash waqf, for the first stage of the construction.

According to Syamsuar he has received confirmation from some representatives of ASEAN member countries to attend the groundbreaking ceremony in Pekanbaru. (ANTARA)