CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL), one of the partners in the oil rich Stabroek Block, on Friday awarded scholarships to 4 Guyanese students to study Petroleum Sciences in China. The initiative is part of a programme to award 10 such scholarships over the next three years.
The first four scholars, Nechemiyah Levans, Aria Matthews, Ishika Singh and Nazeela Williams will commence studies in China for the 2023-2024 academic year. Two more students will be selected annually over the next 3 years.
The company organised a signing ceremony for the initiative on July 14 that was addressed by its President, Mr. Liu Xiaoxiang. Mr. Liu declared that the project demonstrates CPGL’s strong commitment to the people of Guyana by developing local content and by building local capacity through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.
He disclosed that education is a key pillar among their CSR initiatives and that CPGL has engaged in various CSR programs in the field of education in the last several years. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and Her Excellency Madame Guo Haiyan, the Ambassador of China to Guyana.
The Ambassador described the initiative as an example of bilateral cooperation that was led by the commercial sector and declared that it was a good example of a Chinese company giving back to the community, something which her embassy encourages.
The Natural Resources Minister welcomed the initiative as a significant contribution to developing the capacity of Guyana’s petroleum sector, and stated that his ministry was pleased to collaborate with CPGL in the process of selection and postgraduate allocation of the graduates. He also lauded CPGL for its commitment to the development of Guyana and to the education sector in particular.
Bharrat also pointed out that the scholarship awards filled a gap in the provision of tertiary education in the oil and gas sector. CPGL this news agency understands will fully fund the costs of education, transportation and living expenses for each student. Upon completion of studies they would be required to work with either the ministry or with CPGL for a period of 5 years.
The scholars were selected after public advertisement by a joint panel comprising personnel from the CPGL and the Ministry of Natural Resources. They all thanked CPGL and the Ministry of Natural Resources for the opportunity presented which they pledged to pursue diligently.
