MARAWI CITY—A total of 1,400 recipients of the Bangsamoro Access to Higher and Modern Education Scholarship Program (AHME-SP) completed their academic journey with the first cohort graduation ceremony on April 18.
Led by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE), the ceremony held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC), inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City, served as a testament to the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to its vision of ‘One Professional for Every Family.’
“This event is a testament to our mission of producing Bangsamoro Professionals from all areas of the autonomous region for jobs and business, while also improving your access to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities,” BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said.
Ebrahim commended the scholars for their resilience, thirst for knowledge, and potential to enact positive societal change.
“Today, it gives me great honor and pride that one of the many by-products of our Jihad came to fruition, as we will produce 1,400 new Bangsamoro professionals,” he added.
The AHME-SP is open to qualified high school and ALS graduates, offering a four- or five-year college curriculum. It prioritizes individuals from conflict-affected backgrounds and provides financial support of P60,000 per academic year.
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim with Minister of Education Mohagher Iqbal led the Bangsamoro Access to Higher and Modern Education (AHME-SP) Scholarship Program 1st cohort graduation of 1,400 scholars held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on April 18, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal, in his message, urges the scholars to become catalysts of change.
“You have a responsibility to help our Bangsamoro communities and our people. Our people have suffered much under the pestilence of war and conflict, and we have lost so much – our communities are poor and underdeveloped. We need to change this,” he said
The education minister further said that the Bangsamoro government is committed to creating opportunities for youth to access quality education, empowering them to contribute to the growth and development of the Bangsamoro region.
Catherine Joycee Arandia, one of the scholars and a Summa Cum Laude candidate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Pedro College, Davao City, shared how the scholarship has been pivotal in her educational journey.
“AHME scholarship is more than financial support. It represents hope and how it can transform our lives where dreams are not just dreams; it can be a reality to those who dared and persevered,” Arandia said.
She highlighted the AHME scholarship’s role in enhancing her skills and knowledge, enabling her to tackle challenges and make meaningful contributions to society’s overall development. (BIO/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
