The IFoA Foundation Mahidhara Appeal

Last month the IFoA Foundation began planning the launch of a new scholarship fund in memory of dear friend and colleague Mahidhara Davangere, who passed away suddenly in May.

While we are deeply saddened by this great loss to our community, we are pleased to launch this initiative, continuing Mahidhara’s legacy as a passionate and philanthropic actuary. The fund will initially support the most promising student actuaries in India, and over time will broaden to other countries in South Asia and help working actuaries to have more sustainable careers.

Alongside the new fund, the Foundation is raising funds towards its vision to open every door for the next generation of actuaries and to empower the profession to be transformative in addressing the greatest challenges of our time. At the time of writing, we are extremely grateful to have received gifts from generous supporters amounting to a sum of £23,000. With the IFoA Foundation’s matching commitment, we have reached 56% of our £55,000 target. With £24,000 remaining, we are calling on the actuarial community to help us reach this goal.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the appeal so far, which will allow the Foundation to have even greater impact with projects such as:

• The Mahidhara South Asia Scholarship over the next three years

• Educational hardship grants for young actuaries in South Asia who are financially disadvantaged

• Grants to local partner organisations in India that can deliver grassroots educational programmes that will engage the next generation of actuaries. 

 

Iain Allan worked with Mahidhara on the IFoA banking initiative and has generously supported the appeal. “Anyone who worked with Mahidhara would recognise his endless energy, enthusiasm and positivity,” he says. “In addition to all his work for the IFoA, Institute of Actuaries of India, and International Actuarial Association, it is remarkable that Mahidhara found time to work with maths teachers and pupils in rural schools in India. It is therefore a fitting tribute to Mahidhara that the IFoA Foundation should set up a fund to support the most promising students in South Asia who need financial assistance to continue their education. I am pleased to support this initiative.”

If you would like to find out more information, contribute to the online book of remembrance or make a donation, please visit bit.ly/36zHrLX.

On behalf of all those who will benefit, and in celebration of Mahidhara, a much-loved member of our community, thank you for your support.

Image Credit | Vecteezy