Scholarships will enable students to do better: Fr. Vinod
Jamshedpur, Jan 6: The Loyola High School ICSE Batch of 1977 has launched a significant initiative to promote academic excellence through a scholarship endowment. Established under the Mast 77 Legacy Trust, which was founded in 2018, this initiative marks a collective tribute to their alma mater, teachers, and the city of Jamshedpur.
The trust, which undertook impactful projects during the COVID-19 pandemic, including healthcare interventions in two villages, has now shifted its focus to a sustainable educational initiative. In October 2024, the Batch of 1977 collectively decided to establish the “Batch of 1977 Endowment” to fund scholarships for Loyola High School students who excel academically.
The endowment, made possible through generous contributions from donors, is now operational. On January 5, 2025, the Trustees handed over a cheque of ₹7,00,000 to the school’s Principal, Fr. Vinod Fernandes. The endowment funds have been placed in a fixed deposit with the school, and the annual interest will be used to provide five scholarships of ₹10,000 each to the toppers of the five academic streams transitioning from Class XI to XII.
Speaking on the occasion, Fr. Vinod said, “The scholarships will motivate students to strive for academic excellence. I appreciate this great initiative and thank you for your generosity. This will also strengthen the bond between you and your alma mater. The beneficiary students will be encouraged to contribute in a similar way in the future.”
The Trustees—Sudhansu Pathak, Mahendra Gupta, Amresh Sinha, Gautam Mascharak, Vivek Lamba, and Framroze Bugli—expressed their gratitude to the donors for enabling the launch of the endowment within two months. They emphasized that the school is restricted from using the endowment funds for any purpose other than the specified scholarships or altering the selection criteria, which are based solely on academic merit.
The trust will oversee the fund and provide additional support if required. The beneficiaries’ names will be announced at the Annual Prize Night, typically held in March or April. Representatives from the Batch of 1977 will attend the event to witness the scholarship distribution.
“This initiative is a proud moment for us,” the Trustees stated. “It is our way of giving back to the school that shaped our lives and ensuring that future generations of Loyoleans have opportunities to excel.”
The Batch of 1977 Endowment aims to inspire academic achievement and build a lasting legacy of excellence at Loyola High School, connecting alumni with their roots while fostering a culture of giving and growth.
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