As  a  fundamental part of our activities, CIMB Foundation supports projects that provide learning opportunities to the younger generation. CIMB Foundation sees this as an investment in driving the transformation towards a knowledge-based economy.

One of the main programmes under this pillar is the CIMB-Niaga Scholarship Programme. The scholarship programme involves the establishment of a fund for deserving Indonesian students from underprivileged backgrounds to advance their education in institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. In partnership with Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, 5 scholars were  selected as the pioneer batch in 2008, and they are currently enrolled in University Kebangsaan Malaysia. The 2009 selection process is at its tail end at present, with shortlisted candidates awaiting entry to Malaysian universities.

PINTAR, a programme under the auspices of Khazanah Nasional Berhad is another key programme under the education pillar. This programme is centred on addressing issues which limit the prospects of students in rural schools, as well as to enhance the facilities available to these students. The Foundation has adopted 10 rural schools under the PINTAR programme.

In  addition, through Community Link, our efforts in education cover a wide range of topics. They range from English reading classes for the urban poor, to IT and other skills training for the disabled and underprivileged, to motivation and revision camps for school children.

In 2008, the Foundation disbursed a total of RM1.6 million for education programmes. In addition, a fund of RM1 million was established for the CIMB-Niaga scholarship.