Digicel awards five scholarships

By Diedre Fanene 24 March 2016, 12:00AM

Five students who are attending Foundation Year at the National University of Samoa and the University of the South Pacific received scholarships from Digicel on Tuesday.

The value of the Digicel Scholarship programme is $150,000tala over a period of three years for five students.

The scholarships will cover University fees, textbooks and transportation costs.

Each of them will also receive a laptop and a smart phone with free credit and data to assist with their studies.

They will also be given the opportunity to undertake an internship with Digicel during their holidays, working alongside professionals and gaining valuable experience in a leading multi-national group.

In an interview with Digicel C.E.O Rory Condon, he said the selection process was strict.

 “We demanded a lot from the young people in terms of their academic records, references from school, leaders and church leaders. We also demanded that they present and prepare a project work,” he said.

“The output was impressive and it was clear to me that they really wanted this opportunity and they were prepared to work hard for it.

 “They also thought of some of the social challenges that Samoa has and how we can address those challenges through the use of technology.

“So we look forward to having these young people come over to Digicel not only to intern but to become ambassadors for Digicel within the communities.”

Two of the five scholarship winners are from Falealupo, Savaii and they were asked what they will be doing to give back to their village.

Fausaga Afaese from Falealupo said despite the long road to her goal, she is interested in technology.

“We promise that we will do our best to succeed,” she said.

“A technological career can reap a successful result and we are here to represent our village of Falealupo and so it is a way for us to encourage other generations that are trying to complete their education.

“We have had to endure challenges but our parents have done the best they could to push us through school and so this is why we are looking for any opportunity for us to complete our education.

“Now we are the role models in our community and our village.”

 

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

Fausaga Afaese – Falealupo – NUS

Lisi Seumanutafa – Falealupo, 

Tufutafoe – USP

Filifilia Gafa – Solosolo – NUS

Margaret Sootaga – Vaitele Fou – NUS

Johnny Amosa Fiu – Faatoia - NUS

By Diedre Fanene 24 March 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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