The next batch of SM Foundation scholars, numbering 268 in all, is set to graduate from a number of so-called partner schools on May 27. No less than SM Investments Corp. Chairman Henry Sy Sr. will present the graduates of various scholarly disciplines to the public, said Carmen Linda M. Atayde, SM Foundation executive director.
Twenty-three percent of the total number of graduates this year graduated with honors, she said. Two are summa cum laude, 20 magna cum laude, 29 cum laude and eight have academic distinctions. The courses SM Foundation scholars took from its partner-schools include
Accounting, Information Technology, Information Management, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Communications Engineering and Education.
“These are the careers that are sought-after by companies,” Atayde said. “They can easily find jobs.” The graduates can seek employment in any company here and abroad. “We do not give any condition to the graduates,” she said. “They can freely apply where they really want to work.”
They can also work in any SM Group, she said. SM human resources will also offer them jobs on May 27.
The SM Foundation qualifies its scholarship-program graduates from public high schools with an average grade of 88 and above at least up to the second grading, she said. The annual income of the parents, who mostly are farmers, fishermen, jeepney drivers and laborers, should not exceed P150,000.
In attendance during the presentation are Sy and his family, partner-companies in the SM Foundation scholarship program, guests and the families of the graduates. Part of the presentation program is the giving of testimonials by the graduates and their parents, she said.
The graduates will also receive a wristwatch with their name engraved. The graduates with Latin honors will receive gift checks from SM, Atayde added. The SM Foundation has graduated over 1,900 scholars since its scholarship program started in 1993. Ninety percent of the graduates are the first college graduates in the family.
“We have over 1,000 success stories,” Atayde shared. “We have seen many of them improved the life of their family. Some of them are now working abroad.” Sy has been happy seeing more graduates from poor families each year, she said.
He always emphasizes the importance of hard work, excellence and integrity. Currently, the SM Foundation has 1,500 scholars studying in partner-schools in different parts of the country, she said.
The presentation of the SM Foundation graduate scholars is an annual tradition of the mall magnate and his family. This year is the 19th since the scholarship program produced its first batch of graduates in 1997.