Oyu Tolgoi yesterday organized an award ceremony to recognize 35 Mongolian students who were selected to receive domestic and international scholarships from the company for the academic year 2015-2016.
The event was attended by new scholarship awardees, former recipients, their parents, the Minister of Labour, representatives of the ministries and members of the Oyu Tolgoi team, including, Batsukh Galsan, Chairman of the Oyu Tolgoi Board of Directors, and Michael Gavin, General Manager – People and Organization.
Addressing the audience, Minister of Labour Bayarsaikhan Garidkhuu said “Oyu Tolgoi is a company that is representing the name of Mongolia as it becomes a prominent player in the world copper market.
“Oyu Tolgoi’s investment in the education of students, who are the future of Mongolia, proves that our goals are the same. This is an important part of broader cooperation between the Government of Mongolia, the Ministry of Labour and Oyu Tolgoi. For the labour sector, Oyu Tolgoi has contributed a great deal through various projects including, upgrading of vocational training centres and their curriculum and providing modern training equipment.”
Speaking at the event, Batsukh Galsan, Chairman of the Oyu Tolgoi Board of Directors, said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity here today to recognize some of the best and brightest students in Mongolia, and to have the opportunity to support their future endeavors. Looking at past scholars, I am sure that these talented youth will not only set a new bar of excellence, and but also inspire others to strive to be the best and together take Mongolia forward.”
Former scholarship awardee, Tugsbuyan Tsedenbaljir, noted “The Oyu Tolgoi scholarship didn’t only give me financial support but, most importantly, it put trust in me, trust that helped me to be more successful.
“Between 2010-2015, I was enrolled in all Oyu Tolgoi’s scholarships and I feel proud that I have been part of this great programme which is contributing to Mongolia’s development. With every scholarship, the dreams of a student and their family come true. I would like to thank Oyu Tolgoi for making hundreds of these dreams a reality.”
In order to ensure maximum reach and awareness, the scholarship programme was advertised through daily newspapers, the Oyu Tolgoi website, social media and through outreach events at universities. Over 400 applications were received, and a three-stage selection process implemented to select finalists.
The 31 recipients for the 2015-16 domestic scholarships come from across Mongolia’s leading education institutions – 16 students from Mongolian University of Science and Technology, nine from the National University of Mongolia, three from Darkhan Technology University, two from Medical University, and one from Mongolian University of Life Sciences respectively.
The international scholarship programme saw 20 applications, with four selected as finalists. The selected students commence their study in mining and occupational health in August, 2016.
Notes to the Editor:
- Oyu Tolgoi established domestic and international scholarship programmes as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between Oyu Tolgoi LLC and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, under the Investment Agreement.
- The programme focuses on preparing highly skilled national workforce in mining and other related sectors.
- Oyu Tolgoi has granted 210 Domestic scholarships (including RT scholarship) and 30 International scholarships over the course of the programme, including our International and 31 Domestic scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year.
- OT scholarship holders are not only provided monetary support for continuing their study but also provided opportunity to attend the Youth Development Programme, focused on personal development and enhancing soft skills.