The New Nation - Internet Edition

Grameenphone Ltd. embarked upon a CSR partnership with Grameen Shikhkha, an organisation of the Grameen Bank family, to provide scholarship opportunities to underprivileged, but bright students, at various academic levels.

Ms. Nurjahan Begum, Managing Director of Grameen Shikkha and Kafil H.S. Muyeed, Director, New Business Division, signed the partnership agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Md. Anisur Rahman AGM, Finance & Accounts, of Grameen Shikkha, and Shuvashish P. Barua, AGM, Corporate Social Responsibility, of Grameenphone, and other high officials from the respective organisations were present during the signing ceremony.

Established in 1997, Grameen Shikkha has been managing a scholarship program, funded by various philanthropic organisations. So far 727 scholarships have been provided to meritorious students at different levels. Grameenphone has been involved with this project since 2003 and 36 scholarships are managed under Grameenphone's fund. The new agreement between Grameenphone and Grameen Shikhka is to further strengthen this partnership and increase the number of scholarships, from Grade VIII up to graduation degree. Sixty percent of the scholarship will be targeted towards female students.

Education is one of the key focus areas of Grameenphone's social investments. Grameenphone aims to work hand in hand with the Government and other relevant development actors by working in the areas of poverty alleviation, health, education and empowerment to meet the Millennium Development Goals, set for Bangladesh, by 2015.