Programme to support locals

A SCHOLARSHIP programme aimed at supporting local landowner groups and high-performing students of Morobe has been established by the Hidden Valley Mine.
The scholarship programme will offer full-time financial support for students undertaking diploma-level studies and university degrees in several mining-related fields.
The programme targets two representatives each from Nauti, Kuembu and Winima, which are the mine’s three landowner villages, but there are also opportunities for high-performing young women and men from the province.
“We’re keen to work with our provincial stakeholders, particularly in education, to create a pool of high caliber university or polytech students who will fill future positions as graduates with gold miner Harmony,” executive general manager stakeholder relations and corporate affairs Kepas Wali said.
“At the same time, we’re making it attractive and providing an incentive for these young people to enter and complete their studies.”
Wali said the mine had an existing industrial training arrangement with the PNG University of Technology that allowed students to spend time with the mine’s departments.
The scholarship programme will focus on the development of locals in pursuit of the company’s commitment to support and accelerate transformation and to contribute towards achieving the company’s training and localisation objectives.
Scholarships are on offer for students doing a recognised undergraduate degree or diploma-level programme.