Recipients thank support programme

NEW Irelanders Jason Bunim and Serah Lusem graduated last week from University of Technology, thanks to Mineral Resource Lihir Capital’s scholarship programme.
Bunim graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce while Lusem attained a bachelor’s degree in tropical agriculture.
The scholarship was an ongoing programme that the company funded as part of its community service to the people of Lihir.
Both Bunim and Lusem were supposed to graduate in April, however, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the graduation was postponed to Tues, Nov 24.
Parents of the graduates, including an MRLC representative travelled to Lae to witness the graduation ceremony at University of Technology.
Bunim and Lusem’s parents had to travel out of Lihir by boat to Namatanai, then by road to Kavieng, then by plane to Lae as the Lihir airport was still closed.
It was a tiring two-day journey, however, one that could not be missed by the parents.
Bunim and Lusem were grateful for MRLC’s assistance which enabled them to complete their studies successfully and graduate last week.
The pair said they would use their qualifications to help their communities.
MRLC is committed to improving the human resources of Lihir Islanders to ensure the island is able to sustain itself and have a non-mining economy after the gold mine ceases operations.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, Mineral Resource Lihir Capital continued to support the recipients of its scholarship programme in PNG and Australia.