Honda Dreams Fund (HDF)

The Honda Dreams Fund is a community project under the Honda Global Philanthropy Initiative, jointly organized between Honda Malaysia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was first developed in 2007 as part of Honda’s corporate social responsibility in Malaysia.

Project Objectives

The Honda Dreams Fund focuses on helping underprivileged youths by providing them with the opportunity to pursue higher education in Malaysian colleges and universities. Scholarships are awarded to promising students who fit the selection criteria set by Honda and UNDP. Since its inception in 2007, a total of 40 scholarships have been awarded; 20 on 2007 and 20 on 2008. The 40 candidates that have received these scholarships are now pursuing their respective courses throughout Malaysia.

Selection Criteria

Students who wish to apply for the Honda Dreams Fund scholarship have to go through a comprehensive selection criterion.

Applicants are encouraged to write down their dreams and aspirations, and why they feel that the Honda Dreams Fund is the opportunity for them to realize their dreams. Applications are then submitted to the Honda Dreams Fund Advisory Panel for further vetting.

Selection Process

In 2008 and 2009, various areas in rural Malaysia were visited to provide outreach for the scholarship programme to those who were unable to utilize resources such as the Internet, newspapers, television and radio. Applicants who were visited we given a chance to have their applications taken via video.

Essays submitted by students who fit the initial selection criteria will then be evaluated and judged by UNDP as well as Honda Malaysia, whereby 60 candidates will be short-listed to precede to the next stage. The 60 short-listed students will then be required to attend a 3-day leadership management workshop conducted by trained professionals.

During this workshop, motivational and leadership courses and team building activities will be conducted to prepare the 60 candidates for the final selection process. All 60 students will be interviewed by the UNDP and Honda Dreams Fund Advisory Panel, and the final 20 candidates who would receive the scholarships would be decided upon.

References

See Also

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