The future of the popular scholarship program of the St. Luke's College of Medicine has found new support. This time from the students themselves.
Through the initiative of the SLCM Student Council, the "Lukan beyond" project is finally set on pen and paper earlier, 9:00 am, at the Penthouse Lobby of the Angelo King Auditorium, SLCM building. The event was graced by the presence of members of the SLMC foundation and representatives from the college.
The project consists mainly of students and alumni being called to financially support new scholars of the St. Luke's College of Medicine in an attempt to give life to dwindling population of scholars in the school.
Empowering poor students
Henson Turalde, incumbent SC president, opened the event with a speech addressing the motivations behind the project.
"I myself experienced being a scholar of the school," he said. He further elaborated the need to continue this program as it helps a lot of unfortunate but talented students who want to become a doctor to realize their dreams.
It is basically an opportunity to empower poor but deserving students.
The project is headed by the SLCM- SC academics committee, whose head Karla Yap, together with her committee, was able to push through with the project and introduce it to the student body months before.
Good leadership
Dr. Edgardo Cortez, President and CEO of the St. Luke's Medical Center was also present.
In a speech, he stressed the need for strong leadership among clinicians of the future amid the tendency of medical schools to focus only on clinical training.
"One day, when you become a doctor, then you are called to a position of leadership, [It may be a responsibility] which you are not prepared to handle. It's a common problem in the Philippines," he said.
"This project came through the efforts and initiative of the student council," he affirmed, citing this project as an example of good leadership which the country needs.
"Wasn't expecting this to happen"
Dean Carandang challenged the students to continue this project and that he "wasn't expecting this to happen." But it did.
"You have to take this seriously," he said, reiterating the importance of such an endeavor given that the President and CEO of the Medical Center took his time to attend the MOU signing.
He also mentioned setting a target of five million pesos, which is not impossible if every student in the school who graduates will be able to set aside a few amount of cash every year in support of this program.
The number of entry scholars in the college has been dwindling throughout the years.
Only 30+ full scholars were accepted in batch 2020, a far cry from the consistent 40+ through the years. [x]