In efforts to foster the growth of more qualified professional geoscientists in Papua New Guinea, Nickel 28 Capital Corporation, formerly known as the Highlands Pacific is sponsoring two geoscience students at the University of Papua New Guinea.
The announcement was made last month (Thursday, February 22) by Nickel 28 Capital Corporation’s Head of Asia Pacific, Craig Lennon.
“We want to give back to PNG. Having more professional geoscientists is an area that needs more support,” said Lennon during the award presentation.
Shirley Ambang, who was the inaugural recipient of this scholarship when it was first introduced last year (2023) continues her scholarship this year (2024), while Tongia, is a first time recipient of the scholarship.
The scholarship valued at K19,000 per year covers tuition fees, lodging fees, book and living allowances for Ambang and Tongia.
“This is only our second year for this scholarship. We started last year with the objective of growing to the point that we have an ongoing program with three students each year,” added Lennon.
The tertiary student’s sponsorship package is an initiative of Nickel 28 Capital Corporation carried out in partnership with the Earth Sciences Division in the School of Natural and Physical Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).
This support takes much of the school fee burden off of the students and their families.
It also assures resource companies like Nickel 28, that there is and will be a sufficient pool of professional geoscientists to recruit from in the future and gives certainty of employment for scholarship awardees after graduation.
Nickel 28 Capital Corporation is a Toronto-based Company that holds 8.56% joint-venture interest in the world-class Ramu Nickel Cobalt operation in the Madang province.
