Bahraini.TV

Gift of learning for 16 orphans

by mahmood on 05/04/07 at 7:55 am · email  · print  

Sixteen Bahraini orphans will receive top of the line education in leading private schools starting next academic year, Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank announced yesterday.

The students will be selected after a rigorous screening programme, said bank chairman Khalid Abdulla Janahi.

He said that the first initiative, carried out with the Royal Charity Organisation, would entail the sponsorship of six orphans every year, three boys and three girls, to attend six top private schools in Bahrain from grade two to grade 12.

“In order to qualify, students have to demonstrate the highest scholastic standards in the first grade and have to be registered with the Royal Charity Organisation,” he said.

Mr Janahi said the second initiative would be carried out with the Ahlia University, involving 10 orphans to be sponsored for undergraduate degree courses starting from September this year.

“To qualify for this programme, students must achieve a high grade point average (GPA) during secondary school and be registered as orphan students with the Royal Charity Organisation.”

He said that the initiatives were a part of the Ithmaar Education and Training Fund, which targeted brilliant but needy and deserving students to get quality education that they are otherwise unable to afford.

“We continue to seek ways to contribute to the community. After all, the human factor is the most important asset for us,” said Mr Janahi.

“Providing education, especially to talented students, is an advantage for them and we are committed to giving them a chance.

“The fund is the first of its kind in Bahrain and one of its main objectives is to provide high level education to promising young students across the region.”

The two agreements were signed at the Ithmaar Bank’s headquarters in Seef.

Present were Mr Janahi, Royal Charity Organisation chairman Shaikh Adnan Al Qattan, Ahlia University president Dr Abdulla Al Hawaj and Ithmaar Group support services managing director Ahmed Abdul Rahim.

Shaikh Adnan said it was good to see the involvement of the private sector in such initiatives.

“We take this opportunity to thank the bank for their support and hope other banks and financial institutions will take the same step for the benefit of needy orphan students,” he said.

Dr Al Hawaj said their partnership with the bank was done naturally and without giving the issue a second thoughts. “Ahlia University welcomes this and other initiatives which contribute to our main goal of providing the best education to young and talented Bahrainis,” he said.
GDN :: 5 April, ’07