Niël Terblanché
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), in collaboration with BW Kudu, has announced the expansion of its scholarship programme aimed at supporting underprivileged students.
According to a joint statement issued by both institutions on Thursday, this initiative, in partnership with the Physically Active Youth (PAY), a non-profit organisation dedicated to the upliftment of disadvantaged children especially from the Katutura suburb of Windhoek, is a continuation of a successful collaboration that commenced in 2023.
“NAMCOR and BW Kudu are thrilled to continue with this support. We believe that education is key to a brighter future, and we are determined to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Namibian youth,” said Klaus Endresen, country chairperson of BW Kudu.
He added that the scholarship programme, which began with two recipients in 2023, has proven to be very successful.
The two students who received scholarships last year excelled academically and are continuing with their studies.
“Following this success, PAY approached BW Kudu with a request to include more students in the programme. BW Kudu, together with NAMCOR, has approved this request and will be expanding the scholarship initiative,” he said.
He added that in 2024, the number of scholarship recipients will increase to four, with the duration of the scholarships being extended to three years.
“This expansion underscores BW Kudu’s and NAMCOR’s commitment to supporting the educational aspirations of underprivileged youth and reflects their dedication to corporate social responsibility,” he said.
A formal handover ceremony was held on 27 August 2024 to confirm the expanded scholarship programme. The event celebrated the achievements of the current scholarship recipients and welcomed the new students who will benefit from this initiative.
According to Endresen, PAY will, in the meantime, continue its mission to nurture self-confidence, critical thinking, and active citizenry in young Namibians from disadvantaged backgrounds, contributing to a more equal and knowledge-based Namibia.
BW Kudu operates the Kudu gas field, located 130 kilometres west of Oranjemund, in collaboration with NAMCOR.
The gas from this field will in the future be piped to Elisabeth Bay near Lüderitz, where a power station will generate electricity for the nation.
BW Kudu is a subsidiary of BW Energy Limited, an independent oil and gas company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in Norway.
