Tenaris, a supplier of steel tubes and related services for the energy industry, has awarded four Guyanese students with the Roberto Rocca Education Program scholarships. The scholarship recognises the students’ outstanding academic achievements and aims to foster technical education across the communities where Tenaris operates.
The Roberto Rocca Education Program is a global initiative that supports technical education for college students and fellowships for graduate students to study applied sciences or engineering around the world. The program was established in 2005 and is currently being implemented in 18 different countries. Students are chosen based on their academic achievements, financial need, leadership potential, and community involvement.
“We are committed to helping promote Guyanese talent. Education is a key tool for the development of any community. This initiative has now materialised with the selection of the first four students to be welcomed into Roberto Rocca Scholarships at the University of Guyana,” said Tenaris Community Relations Manager Daniela Osorio.
The scholarship recipients expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and the impact it will have on their futures. Shanelle Toshana Dundas, one of the Roberto Rocca scholarship recipients, said, “This scholarship gives me courage in knowing I can compete and be successful in a predominantly male field. This gives me the opportunity to engage and learn through experience, which will, in turn, increase my knowledge and ensure future stability.”
The scholarship program has a positive impact not only on the individual students but also on the country as a whole. Shyon Niles, a geology student and scholarship recipient, said, “I believe [technical education] can help diversify the economy of Guyana beyond traditional industries like agriculture and mining. It can equip individuals with skills and knowledge to pursue careers in technology, engineering, and other high-demand industries. This can lead to the development of new industries and job opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology.”
“Through technical education, Guyana can improve its economic productivity, reduce its dependence on foreign workers, and empower individuals to contribute to their communities’ growth and development,” added Rickford Garrett, a mechanical engineering student and scholarship recipient.
With the uptake of local content in Guyana, more companies are moving to facilitate training and education for Guyanese nationals.
In January, Noble offered a full ride for four Guyanese nationals at Massachusetts for undergraduate study in Maritime Transportation or Maritime Engineering.
CNOOC also recently teamed up with the Ministry of Natural Resources to offer a limited number of scholarships to study geoscience or petroleum engineering at the Bachelor’s Degree level in China.
