Govt. of ‘The Independent State of Samoa’ recently announced Dr. Rajesh J Aeren Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The first scholarship this year was presented by the Prime Minister of Samoa at AIMS Oceania University of Medicine Conference on the 7th of July 2012 to Dr. Viali Lameko, a Clinical Lecturer and Director of clinical programs in Samoa. Dr. Lameko an MBBS from Fiji School of Medicine also holds a Masters degree in International Public Health from the University of Sydney. He has been selected to do Ph. D in Community medicine in America. He will be the first Samoan to get this degree from America.
Total amount of scholarship to be paid over a period of 10 years is 200,000 Tala-(S $) which is equivalent to 90000 USD. The scholarship worth 20000 Tala-(S $) which is equivalent to USD 9000 is going to be an annual award for the next ten years. It is one of the many initiatives taken by Dr. Rajesh J Aeren, Honorary Consul, The Independent State of Samoa & Secretary General, Honorary Consular Corps Diplomatique India (HCCD-India). He also spearheads AerenR Enterprises to promote education and learning through AerenR Foundation, which is the CSR wing of the AerenR group.
A significant contribution to this initiative was made by Prof. C. S. Benjamin, Director of Auckland Radiation Oncology, Mercy Hospital Auckland who was entrusted the responsibility of streamlining this award and proposing a suitable candidate worthy of the award.
The scholarship is one of the many initiatives of the AerenR Foundation which was constituted in order to undertake initiatives that reinforce the philosophy and commitment towards fellow human beings and society. The foundation is dedicated to the community at large.
In keeping with norms of good corporate citizenship, a part of the group’s gain goes towards funding AerenR Foundation which is committed to support community service at various levels, and in process promote economic development and social change.
The main thrust of the Foundation is in the field of education, health, community development and strengthening of civil society, uplifting of weaker sections and under privileged children, care for the senior citizens are the main planks of work.
