Center-invest Bank and the "Education and Science of the Southern Federal District" Endowment Fund held the first award ceremony for the winners of the "Smart Scholarship. Professionalism" contest for students of secondary vocational education institutions. The RUB 3 million prize fund was distributed among the 100 best projects.
More than 1,500 students from 65 educational institutions participated in the contest. The participants presented their business project and related development strategy. Each scholarship recipient’s application was evaluated according to the degree of business project implementation, academic and community achievements, and high academic performance. 100 students of secondary vocational education institutions were recognised as winners of the contest.
The participants of the ceremony were welcomed by Vasily Vysokov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Center-invest Bank and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the "Education and Science of the Southern Federal District" Endowment Fund, Doctor of Economics, Professor.
"The launch of the contest for secondary vocational students maintains our long tradition of holding the ‘Smart Scholarship’ event for higher education institutions. We believe that this is just the beginning of a great journey for young people with new opportunities and bright acquaintances. Center-invest Bank further continues to support talents and dreams and helps to realise the potential and creativity of each participant," commented Vasily Vysokov.
Supporting able-minded and talented youth is the priority mission of the bank’s social and educational projects. Center-invest Bank and the Endowment Fund have been awarding this "Smart Scholarship" since 2002. Over 21 years of the contest’s existence, more than 35,000 people participated in it and more than 6,000 students were awarded with the scholarship.
The capital of the "Education and Science of the Southern Federal District" Fund amounts to RUB 307 million, making it the largest endowment fund in Southern Russia today.