Twenty students from disadvantaged backgrounds were today officially awarded coveted Telkom scholarships to study Information Technology and Electronic Engineering at the Multi-Media University (MMU) in Malaysia.
The 20 achievers - chosen from some 4 000 scholarship applications - are the last group to be selected for its MMU scholarship programme, which began in 1998 as part of a R2,3 billion skills development commitment between Telkom and its strategic equity partner Thintana (a consortium between SBC Communications of the US and Telekom Malaysia).
The group formally received their scholarships from Telkom CEO Sizwe Nxasana at a hand over function at Telkom`s Centre for Learning (CFL) in Olifantsfontein.
Each scholarship is worth R95 000 per student per year, which covers food, air tickets, accommodation, transport and tuition.
Among the last group preparing to fly to the Multi-Media University in Kuala Lumpur next Tuesday (April 16), 12 will study electronic engineering, with the rest studying IT.
The 20 students - 60 percent male and 40 percent female - have been drawn from disadvantaged backgrounds across the country, and include six from Gauteng, five from Limpopo, four from KwaZulu Natal, three from the Free State and two from North West Province.
The last group brings to 90 the total number of students selected for MMU scholarships. Eleven of these students who joined the scholarship programme in its first year have either already graduated or are on the verge of doing so, representing a 100% success rate. The first graduates, who returned last year, are already working for Telkom. More students will graduate in 2003, either with degrees in IT or in Electronic Engineering, with the balance due to graduate in the years up to 2007.
Currently, 70 young South Africans are in Malaysia attending undergraduate programmes in Information Technology and Engineering.
Addressing students at the scholarship hand over function, Telkom CEO Sizwe Nxasana said investment in education and the development of human resources was a priority for Telkom.
"These scholarships are an investment in our country`s future, which will help towards bridging South Africa`s technological skills gap and build our nation`s capacity to harness technology and bridge the digital divide."
Students with specialised Information Technology and Engineering skills are in high demand by Telkom yet, paradoxically, are the most scarce in South Africa.
Telkom`s unique academic exchange programme attempts to bridge that gap. Armed with degrees funded through Telkom`s scholarship programme, graduates return home to plough their skills back into South Africa.
As part of their scholarship commitments, Telkom sponsored students are required to work at Telkom for four or five years after their studies, depending on the period covered by the bursary.
Referring to this element of Telkom`s scholarship programme, Nxasana told the students: "It is my hope that you, as participants in the Multi-Media University scholarship programme, will see your scholarships not just as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at a university that is internationally recognised as a leader in technology education, but also as an opportunity to put the skills you gain to work for our country and its people."
The Shareholders Agreement signed between Telkom and Thintana in 1997 required an investment of over R2.3 billion in skills development - a commitment that has already been met.
This sum has been devoted solely to the training and development of employees, the sponsorship of educational opportunities and programmes and the awarding of scholarships / bursaries internally and in the communities of South Africa.
Over and above this, Thintana`s Corporate Citizenship Programme (CCP) in 1997committed a further R120 million over five years to improve the quality of life of South African citizens and bring future generations of South Africans into a knowledge-based society.
The CCP programme focuses on education and training in the areas of communication technology, information technology, science and mathematics.
To date, Thintana has invested more than R90 million in the programme, with the remaining R30 million to be allocated in 2002/2003.
Fact Sheet
Working from the premise that "knowledge has no hierarchy", Telkom plans to disburse more than R30 million in bursaries and scholarships in the upcoming 2002/2003 (1 April 2002 - 31 March 2003) financial year to promote academic excellence in South Africa.
With the cost of tertiary education a significant barrier for many families wanting to further their children`s education, Telkom is helping to erode those barriers for at least 1 950 students currently enrolled at universities, technikons, technical colleges and secondary schools.
In 2002/2003, 300 students will receive first-time bursary awards, while 1 687 students are expected to renew their awards based on their academic progress.
Telkom`s corporate learning activities also include tuition and loan plans for Telkom employees. For the 2002/2003 financial year, Telkom plans to invest more than R20 million in at least 3 550 employees.
Since 1998, Telkom has invested more than R161 million in scholarships and bursaries supporting the educational endeavours of more than 10 600 South Africans.
Individuals who satisfy Telkom`s academic guidelines maintain their awards each year. The competitive scholarship selection process is based on merit / academic excellence, financial need, leadership skills and area of study.
Scholarships, bursaries, grants and loans are awarded to individuals pursuing undergraduate study at accredited universities, technikons, technical colleges and secondary schools in South Africa and Malaysia.
Note: For further information about Telkom bursaries and how to apply please contact the Telkom Study Schemes Information line at 0860 77 66 55.
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