NDB Capital Scholarship Trust recently celebrated the completion of four years of its scholarship programme and Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony for year 2017 to recognize students who displayed exemplary achievements in their fields of study.

The winners were selected from diverse backgrounds such as engineering, medicine, law and management studies following undergraduate programmes at the University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Colombo. Scholarship awards are made based on a combination of factors, including financial need, academic excellence, extracurricular activities and contributions to the society. Since the commencement of the awards in 2014, the Trust has bestowed 42 scholarships worth more than Rs.12 million.

NDB Capital Holdings Limited (NCAP) CEO and Chairman of the Trust Vajira Kulatilaka, while delivering the welcome note at the awards ceremony said: “All of you are talented and ambitious students and you have achieved all these with many difficulties in your life. The NDB Capital Scholarship Trust is a due reward for your accomplishments, determination and persistence. We believe the funds given through this programme can make a difference and change lives. I request you to look for not only advancing your education but also expanding your opportunities and abilities with the support of the carrier development programmes offered by the Trust.”

National Development Bank PLC CEO Dimantha Seneviratne said: “NDB Group is quite unique in its mission in helping Sri Lankan communities including the university students. I am confident that this programme has made a significant impact on the university students and their education. Sri Lankan universities have produced many talented professionals and we see their achievements every day. I think that is something we need to be proud of. I strongly believe that this scholarship will help these young deserving students to succeed both personally and professionally and they will in turn assist their own communities and industries to serve and help bridge the gaps.”

Funded by NCAP, the Trust is one of the largest Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of NCAP which is considered to be a prestigious and competitive scholarship among the university students. The Trust was established in 2013 with the intention of contributing to the country’s education system by providing assistance to those who deserve it most. In addition to providing financial grants, the Trust also provides career counselling, internships, leadership training programmes and guidance required to address job market challenges. The career guidance programme for the awardees is an opportunity that will differentiate the scholarship awarded by NCAP from pure financial assistance generally awarded through scholarships. The Trust intends to expand the offering of scholarships to other Sri Lankan universities in the future covering a higher number of students. The company believes that the investment in the education of younger generation will provide both short and long term returns towards the country’s social and economic development.