Two hundred SM scholars, including six students from Baguio City, were officially awarded the SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) scholarship grants for school year 2020-2021 on Aug. 15. This brings the total number of SM scholars to 1,300 nationwide.
Lea Esquejo, one of the new scholars from Baguio and an accountancy student at Saint Louis University, expressed gratitude to SM.
“Thank you so much to SM Foundation for this opportunity. Thank you for giving a chance to all aspiring students who want to seek higher education like me. I am blessed to have this scholarship.”
Adrian Clark, who is also an accountancy student at SLU, shared the same sentiment.
“To the SM Foundation, thank you for this opportunity. I hope that one day I will also be able to help other students just as you have helped me,” said Jethro Estangki, a Computer Science student at the University of the Cordilleras.
Alastair Zeph de Guzman, also a scholar taking up Computer Science at UC, said he is thankful for the chance to pursue his studies.
Dustine May Garcia, a student taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education at UC, said, “Thank you so much SM Foundation for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this family. Thank you for being a significant part of my life, and may God bless you to have more strength and power so you may continue to bless others.”
Charles Pineda, an accountancy student of UC, also expressed gratitude to SM.
Established in 1993, the SM Foundation Scholarship Program has already produced almost 5,500 college and tech-voc scholar-graduates, enabling them to uplift the lives of their families.
SM Foundation’s Scholarship Program aims to contribute in eradicating the intergenerational cycle of poverty in the country by giving scholarship grants to underprivileged but deserving students.
The scholarship program covers Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical, computer, and electronics), Education (elementary and secondary); Accountancy, and Financial Management.
Along with full tuition and miscellaneous fees, SM scholars are also given monthly allowances, part-time job opportunities during semestral/Christmas break, exclusive job offer with the SM Group upon graduation, and SM scholar enrichment activities.
During the virtual gathering for the SM scholars, SMFI Executive Director for Education Linda Atayde said the program is built on the belief of the SM Group late founder, Henry Sy, Sr., that education is the greatest equalizer and that if he could help send one child to school, that child can help his siblings finish schooling and together, they can help uplift their family out of poverty.
The program also enables SM to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 by ensuring that inclusive and equitable opportunities for quality education are opened for the youth, especially those living in grassroots communities. – Press release
April 26, 2024
