LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN - In a move to bolster education in Pangasinan, the Lotte Scholarship Foundation, based in South Korea, has established a scholarship program in collaboration with the provincial government and local higher educational institutions, providing financial support to 80 students across the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, the selected students will hail from Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), Pangasinan State University, Binalatongan Community College of San Carlos City, and University of Eastern Pangasinan in Binalonan for the Academic Year 2024-2025. Notably, PPC's beneficiaries will be part of its inaugural batch of students, with their academic program slated to commence in August.
Vice Governor Lambino shared insights into the formation of this partnership, which was initiated through the provincial government's network. "Lotte Foundation approached us with the intention of presenting opportunities and partnerships beneficial to our province," Lambino stated. He further explained that the educational institutions involved were chosen by Lotte after a thorough review of their backgrounds, highlighting their role in serving underprivileged and marginalized student communities.
The details of the scholarship, including its duration, will depend on the requirements of each educational institution and the specific courses of study, maintaining a focus on academic and behavioral standards.
Chang Haesun, chair of the Lotte Scholarship Foundation, emphasized the importance of education in shaping future leaders and expressed her gratitude towards the collaboration with Pangasinan's educational leaders. "Our foundation has been dedicated to fostering global talents by investing 3.8 billion won over the past 40 years," Chang remarked during the MOU signing ceremony in Lingayen. The foundation's commitment to education extends globally, with partnerships in 38 schools across several countries, boasting a scholarship budget of approximately 400 billion won (about PHP16 billion).
Governor Ramon Guico III expressed his gratitude for the partnership, assuring active involvement from local officials and stakeholders in the successful implementation of the scholarship programs. This initiative marks a significant milestone for educational advancement in Pangasinan, opening new avenues for student support and development.