Bangkok--28 Oct--Asian Institute of Technology
UNOCAL Myanmar has granted two scholarships to students studying at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Handing over the scholarship cheque to AIT on 27 October 2014, Mr. Mariano L Vela, President, Unocal Myanmar Offshore Co. Ltd., stated that the scholarships mark the beginning of a partnership with AIT.
Expressing his delight at being at AIT, Mr. Mariano stated that being a 130-year old company, they are always thinking about the “long term.” “This is the first year of this program, and we will look closely at the progress of our partnership,” he added. He said that Chevron (Unocal merged with Chevron in 2005) is looking towards larger investments in Myanmar. “The challenges in Myanmar are technological, particularly the issue of hydrocarbon extraction in deep waters,” Mr. Mariano said. Institutions like AIT can help in educating students and laying the foundation for tackling such technological challenges, he added.
Both scholarship recipients, Ms. Hnin Pann Phyu of Telecommunications field of study, and Ms. May Thazin Khine of Structural Engineering field of study, are from Myanmar. The two thanked the donors for helping them realize their dream of pursuing studies at AIT.
Welcoming the donation, Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director, Fundraising, AIT, stated that the Institute is grateful for the scholarship. AIT is looking towards greater partnership with the industry, and this scholarship is a move in that direction. Dr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Coordinator, Admissions and Scholarships, informed the donors about the various academic scholarships available to students at AIT.
Mr. Mariano was accompanied by Ms. Bannaporn Vongwilai, External Affairs Specialist, Chevron Asia South Limited. Ms. Tripti Rajbhandari, Program Officer, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), AIT, and Ms. Lucena Talaid, Program Officer, External Relations and Communications, also attended the event.
Photo caption: From left are Ms. Tripti Rajbhandari, Program Officer, AIT; Ms. Bannaporn Vongwilai, External Affairs Specialist, Chevron Asia South Limited; Mr. Mariano L Vela, President, Unocal Myanmar Offshore Co. Ltd; two scholarship recipients Ms. Hnin Pann Phyu and Ms. May Thazin Khine; Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director, Fundraising, AIT; Ms. Lucena Talaid, Program Officer, AIT; and Dr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Coordinator, Admissions and Scholarships, AIT.