GPOC Awards Scholarships to Youth from Oil-Producing regions

By Awan Achiek

The Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) on Monday announced that it will provide full scholarships to 10 students from oil-producing regions, enabling them to pursue undergraduate degrees abroad in a variety of fields.

Students from Unity State and the Ruweng Administrative Area are being sent to Rwanda, Kenya, China, and India to pursue studies in various fields, including petroleum engineering, medicine, and information technology.

The first group is expected to leave Juba for Kigali, Rwanda, on Tuesday.

During a farewell party at GPOC headquarters on Monday, Beny Ngor Chol, Vice President of GPOC, stated that the scholarship initiative is part of the company’s commitment to social corporate responsibility.

“Our plan at GIPOC and with all our partners is to support our communities. This contribution aims to help and support the community through education, as it is the only way to change mindsets,” Ngor said.

Ngor encouraged the students to take their studies seriously while abroad and to serve as ambassadors for South Sudan.

“Make sure you are ambassadors of South Sudan. In terms of academics, take your education seriously to ensure that you learn as much as possible. When you return home, you will possess the skills needed to compete globally,” he emphasized.

Victoria Bol, acting director for community development at the Ministry of Petroleum, urged the students to prioritize their studies and resist the temptation to adopt negative cultural practices.

“When you go outside the country, their culture will be different from ours; you may be shocked and tempted to behave like them. Do not! Your identity is your culture,” Bol stated.

Badia Maker Bol, Minister of General Education in the Ruweng Administrative Area, praised GPOC and the Ministry of Petroleum for providing scholarships to students studying abroad, calling it a vital contribution.

“Any advanced country in the world values education. This is a positive start for us in South Sudan; the emphasis on education is crucial,” Maker remarked.

James Tang Jilang, Education Coordinator for Unity State, extended congratulations to the students and encouraged them to compete with their peers abroad. “This is an opportunity for integration; go and learn the cultures of other countries,” he said.

Samuel Koang, a representative of the parents, urged the students to seize this opportunity to acquire skills that will transform their communities.

“When we consider this in reality, it represents development for the future. Additionally, it is about utilizing our resources. Our children will be able to use the resources we have, and that is the benefit,” Koang explained.

Gatkuoth Mawich, one of the beneficiaries, expressed profound gratitude to GPOC and the Ministry of Petroleum for granting them scholarships to further their studies.

“We are not going to play; we are going to represent our country and achieve something meaningful. We are truly ambassadors abroad,” Mawich affirmed.