Marawi City – The Commission  on Higher Education (CHED) of the Autonomous   Region    in Muslim Mindanao in coordination with the   Wisdom  International  School for Higher Education Studies (WHISES) and the Integrated Mindanao Economic Forum (IMEF) based  in Riyadh, Kingdom of  Saud Arabia launched the  educational  opportunities  in  the ARMM on research, scholarship, training and development programs of Prince Alwaleed bin Taal bin Abdul Aziz Al-saud yesterday July 10, 2008 at 8:30 at Marawi Riverside Restaurant, Saduc, Marawi City.

Prince Alwaleed, one of the world’s richest men, is one of the kingdom’s most popular citizens and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, has donated  $500,000.00 to the Muslim Filipinos in the ARMM.. This amount is intended for research, scholarship, training and development.

Dr. Norma Sharief, CHED-ARMM regional chairman and managing commissioner revealed during the launching program that the donation shall be utilized only for the  said purpose and the implementation shall pass through the standard operating procedure. Trust and confidence must be instituted so our actual and objective reports will reach to HRH Prince Alwaleed. 

Dr. Omar Mababaya,  WISHES President and Board Chairman, presented in brief the history and academic programs of the WISHES and its CHED-ARMM accreditation during this program.

Prince Alwaleed was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration during a conferment ceremony at Kingdom Resort. The award was conferred by the CHED-ARMM and WISHES and coordinated by IMEF led by Aleem Abdul Hanan Faisal Tago. The ceremony was attended by a CHED-ARMM/WISHES delegation.

The honorary doctorate was awarded in recognition of Prince Alwaleed’s efforts on many fronts, including his investments through KHC locally, regionally and internationally and his philanthropic contributions on a global level.

Prince Alwaleed, in his acceptance speech, said: “… Saudi Arabia and the Philippines have enjoyed very close ties, stretching back for decades… I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honor and recognition that you have bestowed upon me on this memorable occasion.

The 8 delegates from the Philippines were the following:

1 .Dr. Norma Sharief, Chairperson and Managing Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), AutonomousRegion     Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Philippines.

2. Dr. Ahmad D.E. Alonto, Jr., Professor Emeritus and former President of Mindanao State University System, Marawi City,       

3. Dr. Camar A. Umpa, University Professor and Former President of MSU System, Marawi City.

4. Dr. Ali B. Panda, Professor, King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic & Asian Studies  and former Acting Dean of the Graduate  ,   MSU, Marawi  City,

5  HRH Sultan Nasroden B. Ador,Sultan of the Royal House of Butig, Lanao del Sur,  President, Mindanao Institute of Healthcare Professionals, Marawi City & Vice  Chairman, Presidential Lanao Advisory Council.

. Prof. Hassan Cana, Professor and former Dean, KFCIAS, MSU, Marawi City.

7. Dr. Sophia M. Sharief, WISHES Board of Director

8. Dr. Noralyn Sharief, Executive Assistant V of Commission on Higher Education  (CHED), ARMM, Cotabato City, 

The launching program was witnessed by Presidents, Chairmen and Directors of the different schools and State University of the CHEED-ARMM.