Thai firm offers scholarships for Pinoy HS studes

The Siam Cement Group (SCG), a leading ASEAN conglomerate, is launching a scholarship program for Filipino high school students dubbed “SCG Sharing the Dream” in collaboration with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the scholarship program will provide assistance to 200 incoming high school students in Bulacan, Batangas and Metro Manila, where the SCG maintains its paper and ceramic tile manufacturing facilities. 

Kan Trakulhoon, SCG chief executive officer and president, flew in from Thailand to personally launch the project that will be enrolled under the Department of Education’s Adopt-A-School program.

The Adopt-A-School program calls for directed resources for the improvement of the public school educational system.

Initially, the scholarship will be extended to students who have completed their first year secondary education in public schools in the target areas, and who have obtained at least a minimum general average of 70 percent during their sophomore year, as well as demonstrated gratefulness to their parents.

Asked why the scholars need not have higher grades as other scholarship programs require, Trakulhoon said, “All we wanted is to really help those who are in need. Seventy percent is not too much to ask, so it will ensure that we will be able to assist students who would really like to finish their studies.”

On questions why the scholarship will commence on the sophomore year, Trakulhoon said, “The PBSP survey reveals that the highest percentage of dropouts among high school students happens during the second year because of financial restraints. It is in this area that we would like to extend our assistance.”

With the reported increase in dropouts among high school students due to financial difficulties, the PBSP sees the SCG scholarship program as a meaningful initiative, which it hopes other companies will replicate.

The scholarship program will initially cover Sto. Tomas in Batangas, Calumpit in Bulacan and nearby towns as well as parts of Metro Manila such as Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City and Muntinlupa.

The educational assistance will cover school uniforms, school supplies and miscellaneous expenses that would sum up to P7,800 per scholar.

Aside from the secondary education scholarship program, the SCG foundation is also extending its masteral degree scholarship for Filipino students to study in leading universities in Thailand.

The SCG also completed its partnership with Knowledge Channel by granting satellite television to elementary schools in the Philippines.

Steeped in its concern for social responsibility, the SCG invests heavily in communities and human development, believing that this will ultimately contribute to sustainable growth for the company and its stakeholders.

“The SCG believes that our most important asset is the individual. When we talk of sustainability, we do not only refer to the company’s growth or profits but to people and values as well. The scholarship program is one of the ways for us to extend that sustainability to the communities where we operate,” Trakulhoon said.

Established in 1913, the SCG is one of Thailand’s and Southeast Asia’s leading conglomerates.

The Philippines is the first country where the SCG has the largest investment outside Thailand. It has four businesses in the country, including United Pulp and Paper Inc., Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, CPAC Monier Philippines Inc., and SCT Philippines Inc.