The Management of ArcelorMittal Liberia has launched a community scholarship program for deserving students in counties affected by its mining operations.
The AML Community Scholarship Program was launched on Tuesday, in the port city of Buchanan and stands out to benefit dozens of students in Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba Counties.
The Community Scholarship Program will provide full tuition and fees for college students. High school seniors will receive tuition and fees and one set of textbooks prescribed by the Ministry of Education.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s CEO Joep Coenen who spoke at the launch said the company was happy to invest in the future of Liberia.
He urged prospective beneficiaries to use the opportunity and prepare for the bigger job market.
The head of Organizational Development and Human Resources, Rose Kingston disclosed the scholarship will be awarded 100% to eligible students majoring in the Sciences and Math-related fields who are resident in cities, towns, and villages in the immediate operational areas of ArcelorMittal.
A minimum of a “B” average is required before application and applicants must maintain a minimum B average per semester in order to retain the scholarship.
The funding cycle of the award program runs from September 2022 to June 2223 each year with all candidates subjected to screening and vetting in July and August.
The scholarship program falls under a new educational support initiative by ArcelorMittal that targets 12th graders and students at accredited public colleges and educational institutions in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties.
According to the Management of ArcelorMittal Liberia, the value of the award per student will depend on the officially approved tuition and fees that the college or school shall provide.
The head of Organizational Development and Human Resources, Rose Kingston also stated that under the project, College students will receive full tuition and fees while high school seniors will receive tuition and fees and one set of textbooks prescribed by the Ministry of Education.
All scholarships are awarded for one academic year only, and will be extended to the next year subject to the scholarship recipient meeting the performance requirements of maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA (or B average) throughout the year of sponsorship; zero disciplinary problems at school; and non-transfer from one school to another during the course of the scholarship funding year.
This category applies to high school students only while for college students “maintenance of a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout the year of sponsorship; no disciplinary problem at the college or university; and non-transfer to another college in an academic year” is required to keep the scholarship.
The scholarship scheme is said to have been initiated due to requests from those living in towns and villages that are directly witnessing the impact of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s mining operations.
Miss Kingston also disclosed that a one page Letter of application must be addressed to the Selection Committee of the Community Scholarship Program with Scan copies of all supporting documents, including copies of school ID card; report card of previous grade completed; one photo (portrait); and letter of confirmation of residence from the Town Chief or designated community leader.
Applicants in colleges or tertiary education institution are asked to submit most recent grade sheet (if currently enrolled); copy of college ID card; copy of WACSSE certificate (if new student); and one photo (portrait).
Recently, ArcelorMittal Liberia inducted 19 young Liberians into its workforce as part of another specialized young professional development program.
As part of this, 19 highly motivated university graduates were incorporated into the company’s young professionals Program after months of rigorous vetting.
In the next 10 months of on-the-job experience, the young professionals will join the various departments in ArcelorMittal and experience structured career development, mentorship, and training to prepare with their professional skills and experience needed to be job-ready.
When evaluated, and established that a young professional has performed to the expectation of the company, he or she is hired for permanent employment.
