SM SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLAR — SM Prime’s Assistant Vice President Rida Reyes-Castillo met with SM Sustainability Scholars, as SM Prime welcomed 10 scholars from University of the Philippines Los Baños, who are taking up degrees in either Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology or Bachelor of Science in Forestry. — SM Prime handout photo
Inspired by the late Henry Sy Sr.’s belief in the power of education and driven by their commitment to sustainability, leading integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has launched a scholarship program in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Called the “SM Sustainability Scholarship”, the initiative reflects SM Prime’s commitment to both educational access and sustainability stewardship.
The program will fully support 10 deserving students through their undergraduate studies at UPLB, providing them with the opportunity to pursue degrees in either Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology or Bachelor of Science in Forestry.
These fields align with SM Prime’s focus on building resilient communities and fostering a sustainable future.
The scholarship recipients, meticulously chosen for their academic excellence and dedication to sustainability, were formally recognized during a meet-and-greet gathering at UPLB, marking the start of their journey as SM sustainability scholars.
Each scholar will receive a full scholarship covering tuition, a monthly living allowance, and a book allowance, ensuring they can focus on their studies without financial worries.
During the gathering, College of Human Ecology (CHE) Dean, Dr. Jennifer Amparo, said the pursuit of sustainability is most effectively undertaken collaboratively.
“I would also like to thank SM Prime for putting emphasis on this scholarship. SM Prime did not just provide the finances or scholarship. They invested the time to really meet our scholars and provided other support mechanisms to ensure that our scholars thrive in their academic lives. This is also a manifestation of SM’s commitment to sustainability by really developing our future sustainability leaders,” she said.
College of Forestry and Natural Resources Prof. Marilyn Combalicer also extended the college’s support to the scholars on behalf of the college’s dean, Dr. Marlo Mendoza.
SM Prime Assistant Vice President and Head of Marketing, Public Relations, and Corporate Communications Rida Reyes-Castillo said the fundamental values of the company are intricately interwoven with both education and sustainability.
For decades, the SM group has embraced the responsibility to contribute to nation building through social good programs that are geared towards quality education, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and disaster response. – Press release
