RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — The All Ceylon YMMA Conference Scholarship Committee hosted the Y Scholarship Award Ceremony for G.C.E. Advanced Level students of the 2027 academic year at the All Ceylon YMMA Conference Headquarters in Colombo on Saturday, April 18.
A total of 300 students from across the island were awarded scholarships for a period of 18 months. This project initiative by the Makeeza Institute, together with the Marhoom Al Haj A.W.M. Makeen and the Zahira Mackeen Foundation.
The event was held under the patronage of the National President of the YMMA Conference, Amhar Shariff. In his address, he highlighted the YMMA Conference, established in 1950 by the late Dr. A.M.A. Azeez, has been conducting numerous community projects over the years. He also noted that the organization celebrated its 75th anniversary last year and emphasized its recognition through an Act of the Sri Lankan Parliament.
Chairman of the Education Committee, Rizvi Farook, stated in his speech that language plays a vital role in education and that education is essential in shaping responsible citizens. He also conducted a presentation outlining the activities of the Education Committee, mentioning that 260 students received scholarships in the previous year.
Former Principal of Khairiya Girls’ College, Mrs. Nazeera Hassanar, attended as the guest speaker. She expressed her gratitude to the YMMA Conference for its financial support to Advanced Level students. Addressing the students, she encouraged them to have a clear vision for their future and carefully choose their field of study, whether in medicine, engineering, or other subjects. She also emphasized the importance of the three D’s: Determination, Devotion, and Discipline.
A special seminar was also conducted for previous-year students by a distinguished panel of speakers, including Amana Bank OpenCare Deputy Director Marshad Barry, co-author of Modern Marketing Danzil Perera, Next Campus Chief Operating Officer Ms. Jayani Mendis, and Presidential Secretariat Deputy Director Badi Uz Zaman. Rizvi Farook, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented tokens of appreciation to the panel of speakers during the ceremony.
Among those present at the event were YMMA Past President and former Ambassador to Palestine Fawzan Anver, YMMA Patron Khalid M. Farook, Board of Trustees Chairman Ashroff Roomi, Secretary Imthizan Mohamed, Education Committee Secretary Mukaarim A. Thaha, Zahira Mackeen Foundation Director, past presidents, as well as students and parents.
