Liberia West Africa: – ArcelorMittal-Liberia (AML) the leading private sector investment since the cessation of war and hostilities continues to impact education and human capacity capital.
In Bong, Grand Bassa and Nimba counties, AML’s hand works are visible in terms of how it has tried tirelessly to help the government improve education.
Last week, the company donated USD$50 thousand to what is now the Nimba University.
At this occasion, the Director General of the National Commission on Higher Education Dr Edward Wonkeryon who is also former president of the Nimba Community College proudly announced that the school continues to exist because of AML’s support.
The company on an annual basis supports the Nimba University financial and technically.
Aside for this support to the Nimba University, ALM provides dozens of scholarships to high school students in communities affected by its operations.
The community scholarship scheme is designed for twelfth graders, as well as students in accredited public colleges, and specialized tertiary educational institutions in Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties.
It awards 100-percent of all annual scholarships to eligible students majoring in the sciences and math who are resident in cities, towns, and villages in the immediate operational areas of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
With this assistance, scores of young people whose parents cannot afford to pay their tuition have the opportunity to continue school while ArcelorMittal underwrites the cost of their education.
This community base scholarship initiative complements other important initiatives that ArcelorMittal Liberia is supporting to educate, train and develop the skills of Liberians, especially in its operational areas.
Other remarkable ArcelorMittal Liberia education support programs include: the Advanced Academic Studies Scholarship Program, which provides $200,000 in scholarships annually to Liberian students for advanced foreign university degree programs, provision of free education at its ArcelorMittal Liberia Schools in Yekepa, Nimba County.
One of it’s signature educational programs is the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy (formerly the VTC) in Yekepa, Nimba County which provides free technical education to deserving Liberians in the area of electricity, welding, mechanics etc.
Since it entered Liberia, ArcelorMittal runs University education packs and various training programs for employees as well as provision of internship for young Liberian college graduates.
Last year, the company constructed the Makinto Public School (Nimba County), the Wamah Town School (Bong County), and built an annex to the Suweta Public School in Grand Bassa County. Renovation of the Zolowee Public School is ongoing and is expected to be completed soon.
This year. The company fenced the Gorblee High School in Wee statutory district and built a modern school in Kpou Town, near the LAC Junction area.
As it’s Phase-II Expansion progresses, AML commits that will expand education and training to significant amount of Liberians who will help the company realize its vision for the future.