Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya
For some donors, it’s the opportunity to support the next generation. For others, it’s an expression of gratitude for those who helped them succeed. Still, for others, it’s a desire to assist and encourage students in a particular field of study. Whatever your reason for interest in AAUP’s named scholarship program, you will have a unique opportunity to leave a legacy in a way that is both personal and far-reaching.
University of Peradeniya is Sri Lanka’s largest state-run residential university. Annually, around 4000 of students from all districts who have been successful at the A/L Examination gain entry into the nine faculties. The welfare of undergraduates has been a prime concern of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya (AAUP) since its inception in 1987.
Over the years, the AAUP has recognized the achievements and needs of undergraduates and supported them financially through a variety of donor-funded Scholarships and Studentships. The need for such assistance has become even more under the present circumstances.
More than before, well-wishers, alumni, members of the AAUP and its local and overseas Chapters, now have the opportunity to be part of the AAUP’s named Scholarship and Studentship program.
Each of these undergraduate Scholarships and Studentships has specific characteristics. They have a specific and formal name chosen by the donor; distinguishing the donor or a group of donors or the purpose of the scholarship. Alternatively, it could be a memorial scholarship or studentship named after a deceased person who is a relative, a distinguished teacher or a person of importance in a given profession. With several levels of funding for Scholarships and Studentships, donors can find the right option for their financial situation.
Scholarships are awarded for excellence in a given subject at an Examination, in a given year. There are two categories of scholarships with different funding schemes and duration.
The endowed scholarships are awarded once a year for excellence in a given subject and ensure that your named scholarship rewards a different student each year for excellence in the given subject, for years to come.
The establishment of an endowment scholarship is a long term commitment. The donor has to establish an endowment with a one-time capital fund whose annual interest would go towards the payment of the stipulated amount each year for the scholarship, over many years. At present, the minimum capital for an endowment scholarship is Rs. 250,000.00. The endowment can be funded by an individual, a family, a group of alumni or a professional organization.
Alternatively, a donor may wish to make available for the scholarship only the stipulated amount for a given year, with the commitment for a minimum period of five years. This could be achieved with a one- time investment of Rs. 75000.00 for the 5-year period. These amounts would increase in the coming years with inflation.
The designation and the selection criteria for a donor funded scholarship (Eg. Prof. Ashley Halpe Memorial Scholarship for the Best Performance in English at the 1st year Examination) is decided by the donor. The AAUP makes the request to the relevant Dean of the Faculty to name the student who has obtained the highest mark in the given subject at the Examination specified by the donor. The AAUP then informs the selected student and gives further instructions. The scholarship recipients receive their certificates and the cash /cheque award at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the AAUP, held in March each year. Instructions are also given to the recipient on how to contact the donor to acknowledge the award.
Need-based Studentships are provided to undergraduates in need of financial assistance. Not all students admitted to the University are given accommodation in Halls of Residence. Unable to bear the rising costs of outside accommodation and food (even while receiving the Mahapola Scholarship of Rs. 5,000.00 per month), several students have opted to drop out from graduate studies or are under unbearable stress that affects their studies and health. Such students appeal to respective faculties and the AAUP for financial assistance, annually. Students in financial need are unable to enjoy their stay on the campus and perform well at examinations.
The AAUP provides financial assistance to undergraduates facing problems due to a multitude of reasons. Some of them have; poor home support, physical disability, distress due to unexpected emergencies. Students selected to attend national and international academic and extracurricular events need financial assistance to meet their personal expenses etc. Studentships are offered to selected needy students annually or when the need arises.
Generous contributions towards need –based studentships would particularly help students who are unable to enjoy the ‘Pera’- experience, or perform well at examinations during their stay on the campus due to financial constraints. A Need-based Studentship can be established with a one-time fund or recurrent funding. With several levels of funding for Studentships, donors can find the right option for their financial situation.
A perpetual need- based studentship can be established with a capital investment that would help the student over the entire degree program (of 4- 5 years) or part of the degree program (1-2 years). The student would receive a monthly stipend from the interest incurred from this capital investment. The AAUP will decide the stipend for the particular year considering inflation. Through a Need- based perpetual studentship a student would receive a monthly stipend for one year or over a stipulated number of years, depending on the donor’s wish and investment.
Considering the fluctuation of interest rates, a minimum capital investment of Rs 1,500,000.00 is required for a perpetual fund to provide a year-long studentship, ensuring the payment of Rs. 5,000.00 per month to the student.
Furthermore, 20% of the interest derived from the capital of any studentship is added to the respective studentship fund to top up the capital. Only 80% of the interest is paid to the student. When adequate money is not earned from the interest, AAUP has to request the donor to top-up the deficient amount or otherwise that particular studentship will not be awarded for that particular year and would be stalled until adequate amount is generated with the existing interest rates.
A Need-based Studentship can be established by investing annually, ensuring a monthly stipend for 12 months. To ensure the continuity of this scheme over a year, the annual investment has to be made available to the AAUP at the end of year (December) to begin the studentship from the beginning of following year.
The selection of students for the afore-mentioned scheme will be the responsibility of the Student Welfare Committee of respective faculties under the supervision and recommendations of the Deans based on the following guidelines: The need- based support scheme helps students with different needs, some of which are listed below
All types of assistance given by the Studentship scheme shall be subject to the consideration and approval of the Executive Committee of the AAUP
Those who wish to offer scholarships and studentships please contact:
