More malls open doors for more scholars

MANILA, Philippines - As the SM group continues to expand its core business of shopping centers, the benefits derived from these economic movers cannot be ignored. Aside from more local investments and employment, SM also opens more opportunities for numerous underserved students to get free college education through its SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), the socio-civic arm of the SM Group of Companies.

The college scholarship program of SMFI recently grew the number of its college scholars, many from indigent families, by 30 percent from 261 in 2012 to 340 this year.  Carmen Linda Atayde, SMFI SVP and executive director for Education, credits the establishment of more SM malls as one of many factors for this increase.

Started in 1993, SMFI’s college scholarship program is the brainchild of SM patriarch Henry Sy Sr. who aimed to help root out poverty through education.

Sy opted to focus on the college level because primary and secondary education is already sponsored by the state. Now on its 20th year, SMFI’s college scholarship program has helped more than 1,500 students with limited financial resources earn a degree.  

“We had 2,500 applicants last year. They increase as we open more malls,” said Atayde, adding that the majority of prospective scholars secure their application forms at the customer service department of nearby SM malls, department stores and supermarkets. “That gives you an idea of how many students need funding for their education.”

Atayde said the campaign to find new scholars start during the first week of October up to December. Applicants learn about the program through posters at SM supermarkets and department stores and other affiliates.

Employees are also very much involved. Human resource (HR) managers oversee the selection of scholars, interviewing candidates and administering tests. “We are very hands-on in the choice of scholars,” Atayde said.

Students who pass the SMFI’s screening process are entitled to full tuition and miscellaneous fees for their chosen field of study, in addition to a monthly allowance. Courses prioritized by the foundation are from the areas of engineering, education, accountancy, and information technology where opportunities for employment are ever present. 

Candidates from areas where an SM mall is being established are also given equal chances. “It is a common practice to recruit scholars before the mall opens in a particular area,” said Atayde. She said schools are getting more proactive in distributing entry forms to prospective students and a number of parents reveal that they had been eyeing the program for their child since high school.

A number of SMFI scholars graduate with academic honors while some became topnotchers in licensure examinations in accounting, education, and other courses. In 2012, 76 students out of 164 graduates graduated with latin honors.

“They gain more respect from their communities,” Atayde said. She said a number of parents recount how their families gained a new sense of respect from their barangays upon learning of a local scholar. “They start to look up to them as role models and they also get elected as local leaders.”

With each new SM mall, Atayde said their goal is to reach out to more students in need. This means thousands more stories to tell about college scholars.