Paramaribo, Suriname — On October 4, 2024, the contract signing ceremony was held for the 15th edition of the Rosebel Gold Mines Scholarship Program, at the Banquet Hall of Hotel Torarica. Besides the students and their families, the event was also attended by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture, H.E. Henry Ori, the Permanent Secretary of Mining, Ms. Preciosa Simons, of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the District Commissioner of the District of Brokopondo, Ludwig Mendelzoon and the General Manager of Rosebel Gold Mines N.V. (RGM), Mr. Qianjie Wang.
The RGM scholarship program, which was initiated in 2009, stands as a prominent undertaking within our commitment to addressing educational challenges identified in the 2002 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) within the Brokopondo and Sipaliwini districts of Suriname. Serving as a leading program for community development and empowerment in the region of our operation, it reflects the dedication to foster positive impacts beyond the mining sector. The main objective of the Program is to provide support to outstanding graduates from secondary schools in Brokopondo and Sipaliwini and the primary schools of Kwakoegron and Nieuw Jacob Kondre, by recognizing and rewarding exceptional performance. This initiative plays a critical role in addressing the identified challenges with local educational capacity in the district and its vicinity. The program provides financial support (housing, tuition fees, lump sum for school supplies) accessibility for talented individuals from our communities of interest, in facilitating their journey from secondary education to the successful acquisition of an undergraduate (bachelors) degree.
Since the beginning of the program in 2009, 85 students have been given the opportunity to further their studies. Jozef Abelintie, through the program, successfully completed his secondary school studies which afforded him the ability to receive the opportunity to continue his studies as a medical student in Cuba through a biliteral cooperation program between the government of Suriname and Cuba.
Demonstrating that despite some challenges the program has some major successes. Since the inception, 8 students have successfully completed the program and graduated with higher education degrees. Additionally, 5 students are now in their graduation phase, 2 of which are currently employed at RGM.
During the event, the Minister of Education, H.E. Henry Ori, shared that the government of Suriname in collaboration with Zijin – Rosebel Gold Mines N.V., are working on the construction of a high school in the district of Brokopondo. He also emphasized that the building will be available 24 hours a day and after school hours, the building could also be used for other activities that promote the development of the region. Furthermore, he suggested various training courses to stimulate the educational and professional development of the community in Brokopondo.
The General Manager of Zijin – Rosebel Gold Mines, Mr. Qianjie Wang, expressed that it is an honor for RGM to see the fruits of this 15-year project. Recognizing the determination of the students of the communities of interest to continue their studies and are willing to provide sustainable solutions for their community and in general for Suriname. Currently, RGM invests approximately $150,000 on this project per year.
Ms. Preciosa Simons, Permanent Secretary of Mining, represented the Minister of Natural Resources at the event, emphasized that her Ministry highly values and support initiatives from the extractive industries that contribute to economic and social advancement. She expressed that the extractive industries could make a significant contribution to the economy, even though the natural resources are limited. Highlighting that the country’s most important and enduring natural resource is its people, and they should capitalize on initiatives like these to achieve for sustainable development for both the region and Suriname.
Testimonials students of the RGM Scholarship Program
Ms. Rujetha Antomoi, the program’s newest participant, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the RGM Scholarship Program. She will start going to high school and intends to pursue an engineering course in the future. Ms Rujetha is the best graduate from Johannes Weewee Gabsie Mulo school, in Brownsweg.
Ms. Iraida Kowee, a Law student at the University of Anton De Kom, is eager to complete her undergraduate studies, to be able to offer her support in the development and empowerment of women in the interior. She shared some challenges that these women face and how the knowledge she obtained in her studies can open doors for them.
Mr. Usher Pansa, a Business Economics student at the University of Anton de Kom, entered the RGM Scholarship Program in 2020 and expressed that it helps to ease many obstacles that students of the more southern part of Suriname face in continuing their educational growth. Usher went to Mulo school Brokopondo, in Brokopondo centrum.