LIBERIA: GVL DONATES $100,000 TO AGRIC STUDENTS

Golden Veroleum Liberia, an
agriculture company cultivating
oil palm in Sinoe County,
southeastern Liberia, has
donated a check for US$100,000
to officials of the Ministry of
Agriculture here for college
students majoring in Agriculture.
The donation, which was made
on Tuesday in the conference
room of the Agriculture Ministry
in Gardnerville, suburb of
Monrovia, is in continuation of a
US$ one million grant for
scholarships commitment to the
people of Liberia through the
concession agreement.
The management of Golden
Veroleum Liberia launched the US
$100,000 scholarship program
for deserving students since
2011.
Providing more detail about the
scholarship program, GVL Career
and Education Program Manager,
Madam Jean Hannah Thompson,
said the scholarship cover five
universities, including the
University of Liberia with 339
beneficiaries, Tubman University
in Harper, Maryland County with
423 beneficiaries since 2010,
Cuttington University in Suakoko,
Bong County with 178 students,
the United Methodist University
in Monrovia with 10
beneficiaries, and the Booker
Washington Institute in Kakata,
Margibi County with 423
beneficiaries, respectively.
Madam Hannah Thompson said
students are required to attain a
minimum Grade Point Average of
2.5 or above every semester to
remain on the scholarship. She
noted that the funds are being
administered by the Government
of Liberia through the Ministry of
Agriculture.
"If you look at the grade point
required to obtain and remain
on the scholarship, it is clear that
the program is just intended to
help deserving students. That is,
students, who want to learn in
the field of agriculture but
cannot afford the fees", she
added.
The Career and Education
Program Manager also called on
benefiting students to spend
their vacations with the company
to enable them acquire practical
knowledge while in school.
She noted that with such
experiences immediately upon
graduation, students come to the
job market prepared, adding that
those benefiting from the
scholarships stand a greater
chance for employment with the
company after completion of
studies.
Speaking on behalf of the
government, Deputy Agriculture
Minister, Dr. Charles McClain,
expressed thanks and
appreciation to the management
of Golden Veroleum Liberia, for
living up to its commitment.
Dr. McClain pointed out that with
the scholarship program, many
students may consider choosing
Agriculture as a career in order
to benefit from the program,
noting that the undertaking also
buttresses efforts of national
government.
Speaking on behalf of fellow
beneficiaries, a student of the
Booker Washington Institute or
BWI in Kakata, Mercy X. Morris,
said GVL has been doing well for
the student community, but there
were yet more to do to improve
the educational sector. Mercy
called on the company to provide
implements to enable students
effectively execute practical
assignments.