CIMB Group today announced that it is offering full scholarship to outstanding individuals from Southeast Asia to pursue full-time postgraduate degrees in the fields of Genetics and Nutrition at the world's top graduate schools. Up to five scholarships will be awarded to cover all academic expenses including registration, tuition and examination fees, in addition to the allowances for books purchase, air-fares and the subsistence given.
Mr. Prapas Thongsuk, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications Office stated that The CIMB Regional Scholarship is an annual scholarship funded by CIMB Foundation and we are pleased to offer the scholarships to deserving individuals from the region to pursue their studies and fulfil their aspirations for the ASEAN agenda
"This is the third year that we are offering the scholarships, and we are encouraged by the testimonies of past recipients on how the scholarships impacted their lives and motivated them to strive for their personal development, as well as for the betterment of the ASEAN community as a whole," Mr. Prapas added.
The CIMB Regional Scholarship, which is open to all citizens of the ten ASEAN countries, does not bond the scholars to CIMB Group upon completion of their studies, but instead requires them to contribute back by working in the ASEAN region for at least three years upon graduation.
Last year, Thai citizen was one of the five recipients of the 2011 CIMB Regional Scholarship. Mr.Sooksun Popun-Ngarm who was pursuing a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Environmental Law & Policy at University College London, United Kingdom.
"At CIMB, we celebrate diversity, and we encourage individuals who are passionate about contributing toward the society to apply for this scholarship. We are looking for candidates who are all rounders and demonstrate not only outstanding academic achievements and passion to contribute significantly to the region through their field of study, but also show maturity," Mr.Prapas explained.
Khaira Ismail, who is a CIMB Regional Scholarship recipient, was grateful for the full-scholarship from CIMB. "The scholarship marks the beginning of my journey as an ocean scientist. Being accepted as a post graduate student in a world-renowned oceanographic centre in the United Kingdom has given me the opportunity to work with world class ocean scientists, and learn how an esteemed institution works and functions to achieve scientific excellence. My ultimate vision is to lead Southeast Asia in becoming one of the world leaders in ocean sciences," she said. Khaira, completed her Master's Degree in Ocean Science at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom after receiving the CIMB Regional Scholarship in 2010. She was awarded a second CIMB Regional Scholarship in 2011 to pursue a PhD in the same field.
Janet Moo, another of CIMB Regional Scholarship recipients who recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Mental Health in Learning Disabilities with Merit at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, United Kingdom, hopes that the training she undertook in the UK on dance therapy will help her contribute towards people with learning disabilities in Southeast Asia. She also looks forward particularly to working with people with Down Syndrome, who generally respond positively towards dance therapy; and also those with autism, as expressive therapies such as dance allow them to develop their social and communication skills.
This year, two fields of study, namely Genetics and Nutrition, are offered under the CIMB Regional Scholarship. Application form for the scholarship can be downloaded from the CIMB Group website at www.cimb.com, and applicants must complete all sections of the form and email it to regionalscholarship@cimb.com before the closing date, 8 July 2012. In the website, useful information such as eligibility and scholarship coverage, selection process and criteria, are available.
About CIMB Thai Bank
CIMB Thai Bank is a commercial bank registered in Thailand with 160 branches nationwide. It provides a wide variety of financial products and services to corporate, SME and retail customers. It also offers stock broking service and financial advisory service to corporations, as well as mutual fund, asset management, insurance and other products and services via its existing branch network. Additional information can be found at www.cimbthai.com
About CIMB Group
CIMB Group is Malaysia's second largest financial services provider and one of ASEAN's leading universal banking groups. It offers consumer banking, investment banking, Islamic banking, asset management and insurance products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is now present in eight out of 10 ASEAN nations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam and Myanmar). Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong, Bahrain, India, Sri Lanka, the US and UK.
CIMB Group has the largest retail branch network in ASEAN of 1,117 branches as at 31 December 2011. CIMB Group's Investment Banking arm is also emerging as the largest Asia Pacific-based investment bank following its recently announced purchase of RBS' Asia Pacific Investment Banking and Cash Equities operations.
CIMB Group operates its business through three main brand entities, CIMB Bank, CIMB Investment Bank and CIMB Islamic. CIMB Group is also the 97.93% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 93.15% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.
CIMB Group is listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad. It had a market capitalisation of approximately RM55.3 billion as at 31 December 2011. The Group has over 40,000 employees located in 14 countries.