“Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa patuloy na pagsuporta ng inyong fraternity sa ating pamantasan na alam kong magiging kapaki-pakinabang, hindi lamang sa pamantasan kundi pati na rin sa bayan.”

This was the remark of UP Diliman (UPD) Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo at the recent signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between UPD and the UP Gamma Sigma Pi Fraternity Alumni Association, Inc. (UP-GSPFAAI) for the establishment of the UP-GSPFAAI scholarship program.

The UP-GSPFAAI is a non-stock, non-profit organization that promotes students’ welfare and quality education, among others.

Signed on Feb. 17 at the UPD Office of the Chancellor, the agreement aims to provide financial support to UPD students enrolled at the UPD College of Engineering (COE).

The scholarship program will be given to five COE students. To qualify for the grant, an applicant must be a regular sophomore enrolled in any engineering course; must have passed all the subjects taken; must have a general weighted average of at least 2.5; and must be enrolled in at least 15 units at the time of the award of the grant.

An applicant should also not be a recipient of any other scholarship grant, and must not have been subject to any disciplinary action.

The scholarship is renewable every semester until the recipients finish their academic degrees.

In the agreement, the UP-GSPFAAI shall provide scholarship benefits, mentoring, and coaching to qualified students.

For its part, UPD through the Office of the Scholarships and Grants (OSG), will provide a written report to the UP-GSPFAAI on the progress of the scholars, subjects and units taken, and grades obtained at the end of every semester.

Meanwhile, lawyer Elmer Nonnatus A. Cadano, UP-GSPFAAI president, said that the scholarship program was inspired in part by a high school student from Alitagtag, Batangas. The high school student passed the UP College Admission Test but his parents could not support his college education. Fortunately, a good Samaritan helped the student. The student is graduating this year under the electronics and communications engineering program, with a magna cum laude standing.

The MOA was signed by Nemenzo and Cadano, and witnessed by OSG Officer-in-Charge Teresita G. Villamor Barrameda, DSD and UP-GSPFAAI Vice President Donald C. Umali.