CHED-ARMM releases $500K Arab funds for education projects

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM) has begun releasing funds for educational projects under the $500,000 Arab funds. The implementation of the projects has been done in coordination with the Wisdom International School for Higher Education Studies and Islamic Mindanao Economic Forum. Dr. Norma M. Sharief, chairman and managing commissioner of the CHED-ARMM recently released a part of the Arab Funds for scholarship, research, training, and other education and development initiatives intended to promote quality higher education and for peace and development efforts in the ARMM. Some 300 beneficiaries personally received the initial funding assistance extended by Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulazis Alsaud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prince Al Waleed is considered as the richest Arab millionaire and the fourth most influential person in the world. The release of checks to beneficiaries was done during a ceremony held at the Social Hall of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol Complex. Beneficiaries coming from Lanao and Marawi City areas represent the first batch of recipients of the funding assistance. Batches of fund releases would follow soon. The second batch of beneficiaries would come from the Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan provinces, while a third batch would come from the three island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. Recognizing his valuable contribution to humanity, Prince Al Waleed was conferred a doctorate degree, honoris causa as Doctor of Business Administration, earlier in a separate occasion. He was also given a plaque of Conferment, Diploma, Plaque of Appreciation, Plaque of Appreciation and a Royal Gift in the form of a cultural artifact, and a Royal Property of the Sultanate of Butig of the Ranao Pangampong in Mindanao. Prince Al Waleed donated US $ 500,000.00 (over P22 million) for the advancement of educational opportunities in the Muslim area. The fund assistance will be used solely for the advancement of educational opportunities in the entire Muslin region headed by Regional Governor Zaldy U. Ampatuan. - Ric Clet, GMANews.TV