In 2014, HSBC Bermuda (HSBC), in celebration of HSBC‘s 10th Anniversary in Bermuda, donated a total of $250,000 to Knowledge Quest Ltd., a registered college/university scholarship charity. HSBC’s donation is being used to provide scholarships over the course of 5 years to 6 students who had secured college or university placements and had demonstrated financial need.

In 2018, Knowledge Quest and HSBC identified Dawayne Smith as the final scholarship recipient.. Mr. Smith was awarded $16,500 towards his second year of studies pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in International Business at the University of the West of England, in Bristol. The 2014 Cedarbridge Academy graduate said that he selected this degree “due to the broad range of business sectors it coverssuch as Accounting, Banking, Economics, Finance, Marketing and HR. I believe this degree will give me the information and skills to become a highly knowledgeable and effective employee. The International Business degree offered at my university also has a mandatory ‘Study Abroad or Work Placement’ sandwich year, allowing me to gain experience in the workforce either in the UK or a country in Europe or Asia. I also plan on continuing my studies and pursuing my post-graduate degree.”

Kathy Lines, Co-President of Knowledge Quest Ltd. stated “Thanks to HSBC’s generous donation to Knowledge Quest, Dawayne will be able to realize his dream of being the first in his family to obtain a university education abroad. Knowledge Quest’s mission is to provide financial assistance to bright, eager Bermudian students who want to obtain a college/university degree to better their lives. Since 2002, we have been able to help over 155 Bermudian students obtain a university education. HSBC’s commitment to advance the education of deserving Bermudians is a ‘win-win’ for all – the students, their families, future employers and the community in which we all live together.”

HSBC CEO, Mark Watkinson, shared, “At HSBC Bermuda, our focus within community investment is to reinforce financial capability and employability across our community, supporting our island’s economic development. Assisting Bermuda’s young people through scholarships and with partnerships such as Knowledge Quest, supports the future skills needed to become well-rounded, contributing and successful citizens within our community. We congratulate Dawayne’s achievements to date and wish him a successful academic year.”

• Press release from HSBC Bermuda