The Institute of Professional Engineers Samoa (I.P.E.S.) has presented financial assistance scholarships to students taking up science subjects at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) Vocational school in Savai'i. 

The President of the Engineering Institute, Aiono Meresaini Siaosi-Laulua traveled to Savai'i on Friday with Tuautu Ross Peters and Vagana Stephenie Lomitusi from I.P.E.S. to present the awards to the successful recipients. 

The event was well-attended by students, teachers, and parents who assembled at the school compound at Salelologa to witness the special occasion. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Vagana said it's crucial to have engineers working in Samoa because they serve a core function in areas including mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.

The funding assistance is provided with the hope that it will motivate the student recipients to consider a career path in engineering and related fields.

"The whole purpose of today's presentation for the students who have been successful recipients is to assist with the development of our students who aim in the future to work in the engineering and technical fields," said Vagana. 

"So they will be mostly taking Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Information Technology. 

"Our Institute of Professional Engineers wish to encourage more students to take up science papers. 

"It is also to assist our parents who are trying hard to educate our children for the future, we do know that the children are the future of Samoa. 

"So it's a small contribution from I.P.E.S. not only for the students of C.C.C.S., but we also donated and offered scholarships for N.U.S. students and other schools as well, with the hope that they will study harder, and bear good fruit and be great engineers in the future. 

"We also wish to promote more females and girls to take up science papers."

Petaia Junior Toleafoa, one of the recipients was honored to have been recognised as one of the students to be awarded a scholarship. 

"I am happy and grateful as this will help not only me but my family as well," he told the Samoa Observer. 

"This will be a big help and it has motivated me to study hard this year and to achieve my goal in school. 

"I'm honored to have been selected as one of the recipients and I hope I will make my parents happy at the end of the year and I will do my best to make sure I succeed."

Mr. Toleafoa's mother, Tusialei Toleafoa-Kini was ecstatic. 

"The glory goes back to God for this great help and assistance. This will help P.J. with his studies and I pray and hope that he will make good use of this help and opportunity to learn and study hard and become successful in the future. 

"I truly believe that if he succeeds, he will help not just our family, but contribute and serve the country.

"So I want to thank I.P.E.S. for this great help. God bless you all."

The I.P.E.S. Council had approved scholarships to the total value of $50,000 with $30,000 allocated for N.U.S students and the remaining balance going to selected colleges and trade institutes.

I.P.E.S. was established in 1984. The objective of the scholarship programme is to encourage students to study science, maths, and engineering-related courses. 

They have awarded scholarships for other learning institutions such as Don Bosco Technical College, Laumua o Punaoa, and now the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S) Vocational School in Savaii.