Oyu Tolgoi LLC has been running its national scholarship programme since 2010. We interviewed Yo.Lkhamaa, training specialist from the Oyu Tolgoi Human Resources department, about the programme.
Tell us about the Oyu Tolgoi national scholarship programme? When was this programme introduced?
Oyu Tolgoi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in 2010. Under this memorandum, Oyu Tolgoi is committed to train 200 students through a scholarship programme between 2010-2015. So far 100 students have received the scholarship. The objective of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance for the students and help them to be involved in other programmes organised by Oyu Tolgoi. The scholarships are awarded in September every year.
What are the criteria for the scholarship?
The general requirements are: to be a Mongolian citizen, study full time in a 2-4 year course at a Mongolian accredited university with majors in mining, metallurgy, minerals enrichment, geology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, environmental studies or construction engineering. Students need to have a GPA of over 3.2 and to not have received other scholarships.
What materials should students prepare in order to apply for the scholarship?
Students need to fill out the official application form, have a letter of recommendation from their university, a copy of their official GPA score, copies and documentation of their achievements, awards and a copy of their national identification card. Also the students need to write an essay about why they should be selected, describing their major studies, what plans they have to work in their chosen field after graduation and what they are doing in order to achieve this goal. The application form is available at http://ot.mn/mn/education-and-training/national-scholarship, on the Oyu Tolgoi official website.
What should the students consider when writing the essay? What are the most common mistakes students make in their application?
The objective of the essay is to provide information about the effort and commitment of students to study at university and their plans for the future. We read many essays during the scholarship selection process and observe many common mistakes. For example, students write general things like I want to develop Mongolia and want to become a good specialist etc. Students need to write about exactly how they are going to contribute to the development of Mongolia. In other words, they need to develop clear goals. Also there have been instances when students lied about their achievements, awards and events they took part in which were discovered during interview process. Sometime, students write the essay like a poem or a story. The essay needs to be written in simple words, so it can be easily understood. Some students have other people write essays for them. All this is discovered during their interview.
What are the key points to consider when filling out the application form?
Students need to describe their achievements and awards clearly, and attach copies of the relevant awards. If students have awards from base scientific Olympiads, professional contests and competitions they especially need to include these. Cultural and sporting achievements are less important, but they demonstrate the initiative and participation levels of the students. Applicants should also write about any volunteer work they take part in. Our scholarship programme has a good reputation and competition for the scholarship is getting very stiff. Therefore, students should plan and prepare for the scholarship application early and complete all the required materials well ahead of time. The application materials also demonstrate the effort and attitude of the students.
What kind of scholarship will the selected students receive?
The students who win the scholarship will receive the following: annual school tuition fee and a 200,000 MNT monthly payment. If the student is from a rural area, the scholarship programme also covers their dormitory fee. In addition to this, the students can intern at Oyu Tolgoi LLC. The scholarship is a great support opportunity for students to study well, without having to worry about school tuition fees, dormitory payments and living costs.
If a student beginning their 2nd course has already received the scholarship, can that student apply for the scholarship again next year?
No. Students who have already received the scholarship will not be considered again. If the GPA of that student is above 3.2, the scholarship will continue until that student graduates. This is another big opportunity for the students.
How fair is the scholarship selection process?
The scholarship selection process is conducted fairly. Professional experts are included in the interview team. The selection process is done through three steps. I have heard from many students that the students who win our scholarships are recognised as the best students in their schools. Their GPA scores also prove this. If the GPA of the students falls below 3.2, the scholarship is stopped. Therefore, the students have to make best efforts to study hard and get good grades.
How many students will receive the Oyu Tolgoi scholarship this year?
For the academic year of 2013-2014, 35 students will receive the Oyu Tolgoi national scholarship.
Is it possible for students attending rural universities and schools to apply for this scholarship?
Yes, any students who meet the criteria and major in the above-mentioned fields can apply for the scholarship.
When is the deadline to receive the application materials?
The deadline is 5:00 pm on the 20 September, 2013. Anyone who meets the criteria and has prepared well, can apply for the Oyu Tolgoi scholarship. Any applications received after the deadline or that are incomplete will not be accepted. Further information on the Oyu Tolgoi national scholarship programme can be obtained from the daily newspapers and the Oyu Tolgoi website and facebook page.
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