To help train the next generation of engineers for Ghana’s extractive sector, 50 needy but brilliant Engineering students of the University of Mines and Technology at Tarkwa have received resource support of computers from the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST).
Each of the 50 needy engineering students who are also on the scholarship of BOST received an advanced personal computer to aid their studies.
Deputy Managing Director of BOST, Joseph Kpemka, who led the presentation of the 50 laptops said their support is to impact on the communities in which they operate as part of their corporate social responsibility, hence called for higher performance by beneficiaries.
“It’s a give back to society. In the areas where we operate, we need to live peacefully with them and the people need to be impacted upon, and the only impact we can leave behind is knowledge. One thing about knowledge is that it’s forever with us, and you will also be able to share it with future generations.
“So, I want to challenge all of you that the requirement that you should increase your GPA is one thing that will motivate us to come back with bigger numbers the next time than we have today. The record that we will get from you will be why we should continue with the programme or not”, he said.
Joseph Kpemka also challenged the students to do well with their studies to stand a better chance of securing lucrative employment.
“I know that some of you have gone through a lot. But this is a turning point for you. You have to strive to vindicate the trust that has been imposed on you and not disappoint us. There will be no justification that after these interventions that we are making, you come up with a pass or a third class. There will be no justification for it at all.
“So you need to do your best to excel without delay. We would like to assure you that apart from the interventions that we are making now, we would like to monitor you as you go even out of here to know the level of progress. Those of you who will excel and excel well, when there are future endeavours and opportunities at BOST for employment, we definitely will look in and then engage some of you to help us,” he added.
The Pro Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Anthony Simons, speaking on behalf of the University thanked BOST for the enormous aid to students’ academic resources which will take the pressure from University authorities in the provision of such support to the needy ones.
Prof. Simons further urged his beneficiary students to study hard to justify the support and the expectations of BOST.
“I quite remember last semester, some of us had it very tough to purchase about six laptops for students and so coming in to do this, we thank you so much. I believe from now to December we will have some peace of mind. BOST is giving back to society to impact the development of you the youth. You need to sit and make sure that you use it for a good purpose and not for the TikTok things and you know the social media negative activities.
“You know that as you are in an engineering institution, there is no way you can sleep. They are looking at you and depending upon your output perhaps you stand a chance of being employed at BOST in the future, so please have that in mind,” he advised.
One of the beneficiary engineering students, Karen Tetteh, while sharing his challenges as a needy engineering student of UMaT, thanked BOST for the opportunity and assured to work to merit the support.
“I’m from the Bompata Mansu Municipal Assembly. Before completing SHS, I lost my dad. We were not financially stable. After our results were released, I gained admission but I wasn’t able to attend University due to financial crisis. I stayed at home until I heard of this scholarship opportunity for which I applied and was granted a scholarship. It has not been really smooth.
“They pay for our fees, tuition, and hostel and now they have brought us something to aid in our academic performance as well. So, it’s been okay. I would advise that, I know most of us come from different backgrounds and not everyone’s head is the same but I would hope that after the end of this programme,” she assured.
The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Director of Education, Catherine Biney, who graced the presentation event expressed appreciation to BOST for supporting the education of the needy.
—-
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital