Dream Big, Work Hard - SM Foundation celebrates 20th batch of scholar-graduates

SM Scholars 2016

SM Foundation celebrated another milestone under its education program as it produced 225 graduates from its 20th batch of scholars since its college scholarship program started in 1993. 

This year’s Presentation of Graduates produced 71 honor students of which, 4 are summa cum laude, 11 are magna cum laude, 44 are cum laude, and 12 finished with academic distinction.

This year’s theme of ‘Dream big, Work hard’, emphasizes and strengthens SM Foundation's continuing commitment of providing opportunities for the youth who best exemplifies its founder Henry Sy, Sr’s words of ‘Dream Big’.

Henry Sy and his vision has been a constant inspiration to the youth, SM scholars. As the heart of the SM group of companies, SM Foundation is focused on social development and helps the underprivileged in communities where SM is present.

SM Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy, anchored on its founding principle of PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.

Henry Sy, SM Founder and Board of Chairman, celebrates with the SM  Scholars 

SM Foundation is committed to serve by supporting and empowering its host communities through education, healthcare, shelter, disaster response, farmers’ training, environmental programs and care for persons with special needs. SMFI work hand in hand with our communities to create opportunities and improve lives.

Creating Better Opportunities for the Future

Henry Sy, Sr. believes that education is the best defense against poverty. We at SM Foundation provide the youth both college and technical-vocational scholarship grants to help them achieve their dreams.  

Dream Big Work Hard: SM Foundation 20th Presentation of Scholar Graduates press conference held at the SMX Mall of Asia, May 25, 2016.

During the SM Scholars presentation, Kim Atienza, more known as ‘Kuya Kim’, was  the guest this year’s as keynote speaker. Atienza hosts a weekly science and environmental-centric show Matanglawin and is currently the resident weather anchor in ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol segment ‘Weather-Weather Lang’.

An exclusive job offer was also held for scholars preceding the event. The SM scholar-graduates completed their courses in accountancy, computer science, information technology, education, computer engineering, electronics and communications engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

They were interviewed by the human resources team of participating SM companies which include SM Investments, Inc., Shopping Center Management Corp., SM Department Store, SM Retail, SM Food Group (Supermarket, Hypermarket, Savemore and Alfamart), Uniqlo, H&M, Body Shop and Asia Pacific College, to name a few.

SM Foundation has, to date, produced a total of 2,385 graduates under its college scholarship program. Most of its graduates are now gainfully employed or running their own businesses here and abroad. A number of them have opted to work with SM and its related companies. 

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