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26 January 2017

Maybank announces regionalisation of its eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN programme following success of six Singapore-led pilot projects

26 January 2017


Flagship programme sponsors university students' projects that alleviate poverty and empower communities in ASEAN

Maybank has announced that it will expand and regionalise its eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN programme following the success of six pilot projects completed in 2016 by local university students.

Under the programme, which was conceptualised and piloted in Singapore, Maybank through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm Maybank Foundation, provides university groups with up to $30,000 each in funding for projects to reduce poverty and empower ASEAN communities through initiatives that deliver tangible long-term impact, socially and economically.

The six pilot project teams comprise students from various disciplines from National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU). The teams presented their projects at the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN showcase held at Suntec City Convention Centre.

The Project Cheway team from NUS came out tops and won the "Power Up Award 2016" based on judging factors such as community impact and sustainability of the programme. (Please refer to the Appendix for information on the different projects.) Representatives of the Project Cheway team received the award from Datuk Lim Hong Tat, CEO of Maybank Singapore and Puan Nora Abd Manaf, Group Chief Human Capital Officer of Maybank Group, who is also the Programme Patron.

The six completed projects involved over 200 participating university students who collectively impacted the lives of around 1500 people. By applying knowledge gained in their tertiary education coupled with the support from Maybank, the students were given the opportunity and platform to come up with innovative and sustainable solutions to real-life issues in different communities.

"The programme has enabled the participating students to broaden their minds and gain a better understanding of challenges in the region, thereby fostering greater intra ASEAN collaboration. By regionalising the programme and relying on our regional business footprint in all the 10 ASEAN countries, we are confident that we can make a bigger positive impact to more needy communities," said Mr Shahril Azuar Jimin, Chief Executive Officer of Maybank Foundation.

In March 2017, Maybank will start the second run of the programme, and this year it will support up to nine new projects by teams from Singapore universities. This is part of the plans for scaling up the programme, and in the next phase, Maybank plans to bring this programme to the regional level which may include universities from other ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. However, the implementation mechanism and funding size may be different to suit local needs and requirements. Possible projects can target structural or livelihood improvements, financial literacy, skills training amidst others. Work has commenced in terms of seeking potential partners for expanding the programme to the rest of ASEAN, and more details will be announced in the other countries progressively.

"Through this programme, we want to raise more awareness among today's youths of the issues faced by different communities and harness their passion and creativity in resolving them. We hope to empower them to become change makers by using social innovation to improve living conditions and lessen poverty," said Datuk Lim Hong Tat, CEO of Maybank Singapore.

eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN is one of the six flagship programmes funded by Maybank Foundation, which supports sustainable CSR programmes, leveraging on the Bank's reach in the region. Maybank is the only financial institution with business presence in all 10 ASEAN countries.

Maybank Foundation undertakes sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for the Maybank Group regionally in line with its mission of humanising financial services. The Foundation focuses on 6 key areas, namely Education, Community Empowerment, Healthy Living, Environmental Diversity, Arts & Culture, and Disaster Relief. In all six areas and in every country it operates in, Maybank Foundation is focused on activities and programmes that would create meaningful, measurable and sustainable impacts that differentiate the Maybank Group and complement its mission to humanise financial services.


Appendix

Information on eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN 2016 projects

School
Project name
Location
Details
NTU Ecoventure Ban Hua Hin, Laos
  • Provided solar-powered lighting and fans for primary school and streetlights for the village
  • Organised workshops to teach the local community on how to build the model
  • Solar power provides longer productive hours to create better conditions for work and study
  • Conducted English classes, science experiments and sports activities for children
Project Mai Tra Vinh, Vietnam
  • Constructed biogas system for proper waste management
  • Collected methane can be used as gas for cooking to save money
  • Treated waste used as organic fertilizer for farming and to increase household income
  • Taught the children in the villages basic English, Science, Arts and Craft, and hygiene lessons
NUS Project Cheway Baseco Compound, Philippines
  • Installed water catchment to build rainwater harvester. Also installed biosand water filtration systems to recycle bathroom and kitchen waste water for residential use
  • Planted mangrove trees to prevent destruction by flooding and strong waves.
  • Conducted maths and science lessons with children at local  tuition centre
  • Leadership boot camp with Kabalikat (People's Organisation)
RACE Project Mangkang Mangkang, Indonesia
  • Planted mangrove trees to protect the coastline and local fishermen's livelihood
  • Mangrove by-products can be sold for estimated 300,000 - 500,000 rupiah per month
  • Assisted in setting up urban farming site in the village to create more green space and promote the benefits of urban farming 
  • Set up recycling site to collect recyclables which can be sold to generate income
SMU Project Luminaire Bohol, Philippines
  • Installed solar-powered lighting in homes and on the streets
  • Taught the locals on how to service the light bulbs and to build circuits
  • Solar power provides longer productive hours for work and study, improving the people's livelihoods
Project Touch Concepcion, Philippines
  • Installed water pipes and solar-powered street lighting for the village
  • Longer work hours and better safety at night
  • Youths were taught basic financial literacy and simple computer skills
  • Conducted simple science experiments with the children to spark and inspire their curiosity