The Program will nurture these bright young minds, transforming them to become future leaders across ASEAN,” said Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Group Chief Operating & People Officer of CIMB Gorup.
“The Philippines has always proven that it has a world-class workforce, with talents ready to make great things happen. However, for many aspiring Filipinos, the lack of resources can limit their access to quality education which, in turn, also limits their future career opportunities. We believe that wanting to achieve a rewarding career and pursue your life purpose shouldn’t only be for a privileged few, which is why we have programs like this that help create opportunities for truly deserving students,” shared Vijay Manoharan, CIMB Bank PH Chief Executive Officer. “This goes beyond just providing them with financial support, but also with professional development and a mentor support system designed to empower them to build a bright future.”
The CIMB ASEAN Scholarship is a highly selective, full scholarship for exceptional students from ASEAN countries where CIMB is present. It searches for individuals who are determined to go beyond the ordinary and welcomes applicants from a wide range of academic disciplines.
CIMB also provides opportunities for scholars via internship programs or through CIMB’s The Complete Banker management trainee program. The scholars are also given exciting employment opportunities right after graduation. This guarantees employment upon graduation so they can hit the ground running with their careers. The bank also provides them with a comprehensive mentorship program which includes dedicated mentors that can guide and support the scholars throughout their journey with CIMB.
“At CIMB, we remain committed to supporting promising young talent with their academic journey and professional growth. We hope that through our programs, we will be able to help develop the next generation of changemakers and positive disruptors, much like how CIMB Bank PH is,” shared Annie Caw, CIMB Bank PH Chief Human Resources Officer.
Two excellent individuals from the Philippines have been accepted into the program so far and are now working hard to make a difference for those around them.
David Yermo, CIMB ASEAN Scholar Batch 2020
“In the Philippines, education is a privilege,” said 22-year-old student David Yermo, the first-ever Filipino CIMB ASEAN scholar. “This is why when you are given an opportunity that can help support you through your studies, you shouldn’t let it pass you by.”
Yermo comes from a humble background where pursuing higher education can cause a major strain in the family’s finances. It didn’t help as well that he graduated from high school in 2020 – right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these challenges, Yermo knows the importance of a good education, which led him to seek employment to stay productive and earn additional income. While researching CIMB’s products one day, he came across the CIMB ASEAN Scholarship on the company’s website.
After several rounds of rigorous interviews and out-of-the box tests, Yermo became one of the deserving students that was awarded with a full scholarship by CIMB. He has since worked on honing his craft, currently specializing in HR-related applications of psychology. Now a fourth year BS Psychology student at Far Eastern University, he is slated to graduate next year and is in the running to receive Latin honors.
On his plans for the future, Yermo shared, “I am an advocate for accessible education and sustainability, and I hope that everything I learn from this experience will help me gain valuable experience that can help me pursue my life goals and be of service to the community.”
Janmel Usman, CIMB ASEAN Scholar Batch 2021
Janmel Usman, the second CIMB ASEAN Scholarship recipient from the Philippines, believes that perseverance and hard work are important if you want to succeed. These concepts are not lost on Usman, as he initially fell short of being a CIMB scholar. However, this did not deter him from bouncing back better than ever, which led to him being the second Philippine recipient of the scholarship and now a Management Trainee at CIMB.
Usman was accepted into the CIMB ASEAN Scholarship program on his third year as a Business Administration student at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. After recently graduating Magna Cum Laude, he has since joined CIMB’s The Complete Banker (TCB) Program. TCB is CIMB’s flagship management trainee program and is open to fresh graduates who possess a strong track record of academic excellence, helping hone their leadership potential, build their professional network, and get involved in high-priority projects.
When asked how the experience has helped shape him as a young man, he shared, “I have learned the importance of living in the present and always doing my best. I now understand how uncertain the future can be, but we can control how we face each day. My hard work continues to pay off as part of this program, and I hope to be able to give back to my community someday.”
With the CIMB ASEAN Scholarship Program and The Complete Banker Program, CIMB continues its commitment to enrich deserving students’ academic journey and beyond.
To learn more about the CIMB ASEAN Scholarship program, visit https://www.cimb.com/en/careers/students/cimb-asean-scholarship.html.
