IPNEWS – ArcelorMittal Liberia CEO, Josephus Coenen has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Liberia’s progress through its contributions to national development and the local communities in which it operates.
Speaking Tuesday, June 7, in Buchanan when he officially launched a new education support initiative of the company known as the Community Scholarship Program, CEO Coenen said ArcelorMittal’s commitment is not only to mine iron ore in Liberia but to also positively impact the country and its people, especially those directly affected by its operations.
“It is our commitment to share the value of what we are generating from mining iron ores,” he said.
He assured ArcelorMittal Liberia’s commitment to strong partnership with the government of Liberia and local authorities of its operation counties in achieving its goals for progress and development.
One way to do so Coenen said is through education and career development programs for young people, such as the newly launched Community Scholarship Program, the Advanced Scholarship Program, and the top notched vocational training center, the AML Training Academy in Yekepa, and the Young Professionals Program (YPP).
In conclusion, the CEO encouraged students in its operation counties to take advantage of the Community Scholarship Program and be willing to go through rigorous recruitment processes.
Providing the scholarship program overview, AML Head of Organizational Development and Human Resources Rose Kingston said the Community Scholarship Program is targeting Twelfth graders and students at accredited public colleges and specialized tertiary educational institutions in Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba Counties.
Kingston said the program will award 100% of all annual scholarships to eligible students majoring in the Sciences and Maths-related fields who are resident in cities, towns, and villages in the immediate operational areas of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML). It will provide full tuition and fees for college students, while high school seniors will receive tuition and fees and one set of textbooks prescribed by the Ministry of Education.
She said High school seniors who wish to benefit from the Scholarship Program must have a minimum B average before applying for a scholarship, must be enrolled in a high school in the immediate operational areas of ArcelorMittal Liberia; and must maintain a minimum B average per semester in order to retain the scholarship.
Applicants of colleges or tertiary institutions must be enrolled in a STEM degree program at a college or tertiary school, have a minimum B-average (3.0 GPA); and for new admissions, must pass WACSSE at the minimum score and must present an official letter of admission.
“The funding cycle of the Community Scholarship Program is from September of the current year to June of the following year. Application for new scholarships will be in June. All candidates will be screened and vetted in July and August. All scholarships will be announced in September,” she said.
Making remarks at the launch ceremony, Bong County Superintendent, Esther Walker praised ArcelorMittal Liberia for the education support initiative, noting that it is an opportunity in the right direction.
Superintendent Walker hailed the partnership between ArcelorMittal Liberia and the three mining counties, especially for the 20-percent of its annual County Social Development Fund for development projects in communities directly impacted by its mining operations.
She also thanked the company for its support to the three counties, during the last National County Sports Meet, but encouraged the company to step up its support this year.
