MARAWI CITY, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM)received $ 500,000 from Prince Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Zaud, richest man in Arab countries.

The financial assistance was given to Dr. Norma Mangondato Sharief, Ph.D, Regional Chairman II and Managing Commissioner of CHED-ARMM.

The fund is intended for research, scholarship, training and development programs for the ARMM.

Program implementation would be done in coordination with the Wisdom International School for Higher Education Studies (Wishes) and the Integrated Mindanao Economic Forum (IMEF) based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

At the program's launching, Sharief met the officials from different universities and colleges in the ARMM to discuss the educational opportunities the funding brings. The region has a total of 68 universities and colleges.

Program launching was held at the Marawi Riverside Restaurant, Saduc, Marawi City and was attended by two former presidents of the Mindanao States University (MSU) Acmad Alonto and Camar Umpa. Presidents some ARMM colleges and universities were also present.

At the press conference, Sharief said that part of the amount would be used for scholarship grants for poor but deserving students.

"This program and project would benefit the ARMM under the leadership of Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan for deserving students and teachers", Sharief said.

She clarified that research projects to be funded should only be about educational development in ARMM. - Ric Clet, GMANews.TV