In a ceremony held on October 19, SBM Offshore Guyana announced the recipients of their Scholarship Programme for Indigenous Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Kimberly Kenyon and Graziella Abraham have been awarded full scholarships to pursue their tertiary education at the University of Guyana for the academic year 2023/2024.
Under this program, both young women will receive comprehensive financial support that covers tuition, accommodation, transportation, books, and any other resources essential for their academic journey in STEM fields. The scholarship is part of SBM Offshore’s commitment to fostering indigenous talent and advancing the local workforce’s capabilities, particularly in preparation for the thriving oil and gas industry.
During the ceremony, general manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, officially presented Kenyon and Abraham with their letters of acceptance. The event was graced by the presence of the University of Guyana’s vice chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, and the deputy chief education officer responsible for Amerindian and hinterland development, Marti De Souza.
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Kenyon, a first-year student pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering, expressed her gratitude for the scholarship opportunity. She stated, “I feel honored to be given this scholarship. I think it’s a big opportunity for myself and my colleague; It’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders to actually put your full focus on your studies.”
Abraham, also a first-year student, will be pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. She emphasized how the scholarship would alleviate the financial burden associated with higher education, enabling her to concentrate solely on her academic pursuits. “I can put all my efforts towards getting good grades, and I can put all my efforts towards making sure that I study without that pressure of financial stress, so this scholarship really and truly benefits me a lot,” she said.
SBM Offshore Guyana’s Scholarship Programme for Indigenous Women in STEM is just one of several initiatives undertaken by the company to equip the local workforce with the skills necessary for the energy sector.
Other capacity-building programs include the Graduate Engineers’ Programme and Trainee Technician Programme, both of which provide international training opportunities for their beneficiaries.
