EDUCATION

DE MAZENOD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

The De Mazenod Scholarship Foundation is an Oblate endeavor dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth through university education. The initiative was inaugurated on May 21, 2016, as a tribute of appreciation to our Blessed Founder, marking the 200th anniversary of the foundation of our Congregation.

We are proud to share that we have successfully supported multiple cohorts of students by granting them partial scholarships. At present, the foundation proudly sponsors 55 deserving recipients.

Vision

The vision of the Oblate Scholarship Programme is to empower economically disadvantaged individuals through access to quality education at both primary and tertiary levels.

"It is the call of Jesus Christ that brings the Oblates together and invites them... to share in his mission to proclaim and promote to today’s world the values of your Kingdom through words and deeds (C. 1). Inflamed with Christ's love, sparing no effort to extend God’s Kingdom, and totally committed to the good of today’s poor."

In fidelity to this call, the Programme is committed to the integral development of the poor, guided by a spirit of dedication, compassion, and a preferential option for those most in need.

Mission

The mission of the Oblate Scholarship Programme is carried out through the following objectives:

  • To provide financial assistance, in full or in part, to deserving and eligible students who lack the economic means to pursue higher education in universities or recognized tertiary institutions, in accordance with the spirit of the Founder: “Evangelizare pauperibus misit me. Pauperes evangelizantur.”

  • To promote education as a means of fostering critical, balanced, and responsible thinking, thereby enabling students to overcome social, cultural, and ethnic barriers.

  • To identify and support a selected number of deserving students, assisting them in enhancing their quality of life, affirming their dignity, and enabling them to become self-reliant and socially responsible individuals.

  • To design and implement self-awareness programmes aimed at nurturing personal growth, self-respect, and a deeper appreciation of human dignity among children and youth.

  • To organize and facilitate leadership formation programmes that equip young people with the necessary skills, attitudes, and values to exercise responsible leadership, with particular sensitivity to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

Selection of Scholarship Recipients

a. Selection Process The Selection Committee shall carefully review all scholarship applications submitted by prospective candidates and select the most deserving recipients.

The selection process shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner, in full alignment with the vision and mission of the Programme.

b. Eligibility Criteria The Oblate Scholarship Fund establishes the following criteria for the selection of eligible and deserving candidates:

  1. Priority shall be given to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are unable to continue their studies without external financial assistance.

  2. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students and demonstrate regular attendance at a recognized university or tertiary institution.

  3. Candidates must have demonstrated satisfactory academic performance, particularly at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) examinations.

  4. Preference shall be given to students from low-income families (generally with a monthly income below LKR 35,000).

  5. Consideration shall be given to students from large families, those lacking adequate housing, and those with limited financial stability.

  6. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to their studies, with a clear motivation to improve their life situation.

  7. Beneficiaries are expected to refrain from involvement in activities (such as partisan political or disruptive trade union activities) that may adversely affect their academic progress.

  8. While the Programme is open to all deserving candidates, preference may be given to Catholic students, in keeping with the spirit of the foundation.

  9. These criteria shall also apply to applicants who are relatives of priests or religious, including members of the Oblates; no preferential treatment shall be granted on this basis.

Implementation and Administration of the Scholarship Programme

  1. All selected recipients shall be required to open and maintain a valid bank account. Scholarship funds shall be credited directly to the beneficiary’s account.

  2. The Scholarship Programme is fundamentally a service-oriented initiative aimed at supporting financially disadvantaged students. Accordingly, beneficiaries are expected to cultivate a spirit of service and social responsibility, especially towards the poor and marginalized.

  3. Continued eligibility for the scholarship shall be subject to satisfactory academic performance. Academic progress shall be reviewed periodically, and renewal for subsequent academic years shall be based on such evaluations.

  4. A personal file for each beneficiary shall be maintained by the Office, ensuring proper documentation, monitoring, and accountability.

  5. Participation in formation activities is mandatory. This includes an initial orientation programme and at least one annual seminar of approximately four hours in duration.

  6. The Team for the Oblate Scholarship Fund for Needy University Entrants reserves the right to suspend or terminate the scholarship in cases where the established criteria, conditions, or expectations are not met.

Monitoring and Evaluation

  1. The Programme shall establish a system of continuous monitoring to assess the academic progress, attendance, and overall development of beneficiaries.

  2. Beneficiaries shall be required to submit periodic academic reports and any other documentation requested by the OSF.

  3. Where necessary, personal interviews, mentoring sessions, or home visits may be conducted to ensure proper follow-up and support.

The New Team

The Provincial Council is delighted to retain Fr. Denis Iddamalgoda OMI as the founder and chairman of the new team, which comprises Fr. Anton Grecian OMI (Provincial Treasurer), Fr. Jagath Anthony OMI, Fr. Shalinda Jude OMI, Fr. Andrias Fernando OMI, Fr. Jude Rooshan OMI, and Fr. Dan Remesiyes OMI.

The members of the De Mazenod Scholarship Foundation deeply appreciate the ongoing cooperation and support of our benefactors and community in making this life-changing project a success.

Download Scholarship Application