THAILAND’S leading business conglomerate Siam Cement Group (SCG) continues its long-standing commitment to education as it awarded scholarships to 290 deserving students in the 17th year of its ‘Sharing the Dream’ program.
Since its inception in 2008, the program has been a cornerstone of SCG’s corporate social responsibility efforts, providing essential educational assistance to underprivileged yet promising students across the regions where the company operates-including countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Lao PDR.
This year’s theme ‘Green Generation’ highlighted the program’s strong belief that every person’s potential matters, and that education is the key to building a stronger, more sustainable nation.
SCG Country Director Jirasak Kaewubol echoed the theme by saying that ‘we believe in the value of individuals, [and that] building human capital is the most important, which we achieve through education and upskilling people. That is what we have been doing for so many years.’
The official turnover ceremony on September 12 at Acacia Hotel-Manila saw 250 high-school students and 40 college learners from Batangas, Manila, Bulacan, and Taguig receiving their scholarships.
The high schoolers were awarded individual educational assistance packages of P12,000 each, while their collegiate counterparts were given P20,000 annually to support their educational journeys.
Privilege and commitment
FOR 17 years, Sharing the Dream has awarded over 4,000 scholarships in the Philippines. This enduring commitment is rooted in a meticulous selection process that carefully chooses students for whom the scholarships will be instrumental stepping stones toward their dreams.
High-school applicants must maintain an average grade of 85 percent or higher, with no grade below 80 percent. Meanwhile, those in college must maintain a general weighted average of at least 1.75.
Enlisters are also required to demonstrate active participation in non-academic and extracurricular activities.
An SCG scholarship alumnus, Ma. Jesiery Rose F. Guevarra knows this process well, having received scholarships from SCG for both her high school and college education. They have helped achieve her dream of becoming a nurse.
‘It’s important [that you are] true to yourself for them to see the genuineness of your heart,’ Guevarra advised. Showing eagerness, she added, is crucial for SCG to see an applicant’s true intentions and promise.
Guevarra, who benefited from the program’s support, describes the scholarship as ‘a fuel of my dreams.because when you know there’s someone willing to help you, that’s when you push forward to dream more.’
Similarly, former SCG scholar Ma. Theressa F. Orbeta, who received support for eight years and is now an employee of the company, highlighted the program’s holistic approach: ‘SCG doesn’t just help us financially; we gradually discover ourselves and realize our dreams.’
Orbeta further emphasized the program’s focus on personal growth beyond financial assistance: ‘I also experienced collaboration and socializing activities with other scholars.’
‘Through these [scholars], we learned about their stories and also gained emotional intelligence,’ said Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor. ‘The Royal Thai Embassy really appreciates the initiative of SCG. It also [promotes] people-to-people connections, which I think is very important and is a strong foundation for every policy that the government would like to move forward with.’
Partnership for uplifting lives
THE partnership between SCG and the Department of Education (DepEd) is a powerful one, as highlighted by Education Department director Atty. Amorsolo R. Camara Jr.: ‘We [are seeing] through the high-school students that it was not only the material things that were brought in, but actually the confidence that empowers them. That actually changes not only their lives, but the lives of their families and communities as well.’
Atty. Camara further elaborated on the broader impact of this collaboration: ‘This partnership brought not only the resources of SCG, but also a sense of solidarity between our two countries.’
The DepEd official believes the program demonstrates global friendship and industry collaboration significantly strengthening a nation’s education system: ‘SCG’s presence in our communities shows that the challenges of poverty and inequality can be confronted not just by the Philippines, but with our partners.’
Drawing on its 17-year history of providing educational support in the Philippines, ‘Sharing the Dream’ continues to champion the next generation of Filipino leaders. The initiative goes beyond financial aid as it strategically invests in students from select areas by providing comprehensive assistance, fostering strong character, and encouraging active community participation.