TODAY

Yangon, September 10, 2014 – SCG, ASEAN’s leading business conglomerate, today awarded educational assistance to 100 high school students in Yangon as part of the third edition of the SCG Sharing the Dream program in Myanmar. The program is part of SCG’s commitment to enhance the quality of all communities where it operates. Held at International Business Centre (IBC) in Yangon this morning, the ceremony recognised students who have shown gratitude towards their families, proactively contributed to their communities and exhibited good academic records. Each student received funding of K210,000 (approximately US$220), which will help cover school fees and supplies for an academic year. This is an increase from the K200,000 amount awarded to each scholar last year. The scholarship awards were handed out by Her Excellency Daw San San Nwe, Finance and Revenue Minister, Yangon Region Government, Mr. Chainarong Keratiyutwong, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Thai Embassy, Mr. Aree Chavalitcheewingul, Vice-President –Regional Business, SCG Cement-Building Materials and U Aung Myin Htun, President of Myanmar Business Executives Association (MBE).

Said Her Excellency Daw San San Nwe, “In line with the government’s Higher Education Policy and to promote the development of highly qualified human resource in Myanmar, we recognise the efforts from SCG to support the academic growth of our students and help them to press on to get a place in university. I would like to express my appreciation towards SCG, the Royal Thai Embassy, teachers and parties involved who have made the SCG Sharing the Dream 2014 program possible. I hope this project will be continued for many years to come and that many more students will get to achieve their dreams with the support of SCG.” “At SCG, we believe that education is the key for sustainable growth and development, especially for ASEAN. SCG believes in the value of every child’s dreams and would like to help them come true. Over the past two years, we have seen SCG Sharing the Dream scholars in Myanmar go on to achieve academic success and we are proud that we have contributed to their development. On behalf of SCG, I would like to congratulate our new batch of young scholars. I believe they deserve a bright future and hope that they will pursue higher education and use their talents to support their families and communities”, said Mr. Aree Chavalitcheewingul during the ceremony.

Said Mr. Chainarong Keratiyutwong, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Thai Embassy, “I am particularly delighted that SCG has continued this scholarship program over the past years. For me, education is not only a basic human right, but I believe it is one of the greatest gifts anyone could be given, as education can offer many opportunities for a better future. These Myanmar students may lack the necessary resources to pursue their education and realise their “dreams” but they fully possess commitment and personal determination for a better future and to become good citizens of the nation.” “I’m delighted to receive this SCG Sharing the Dream scholarship which will go a long way towards helping to cover costs for my academic needs. My dream is to get a place in the Myanmar Maritime University and I will do my best to achieve that”, said Zin Ko Naing, a 11th Grade student of No (2) BEHS Shwe Pyi Thar in Yangon who was awarded a scholarship today. For this year’s edition of SCG Sharing the Dream, SCG has once again awarded 200 scholarships in total to 100 students in Yangon Division (Hlaing Tharyar, Shwe Pyi Thar, North Dagon, South Dagon, Mingalardone, Hmawbi, Khun Chan Kone, Tuan Tay, Seit Gyi Kanaung To and Kawmhu Townships) and another 100 students in Mon State (Mawlamyaing, Kyike Mayaw, Mudone, Paung and Chaung Sone Townships). The scholarship award ceremony in Mon State will be held on Saturday, 13 September 2014 at the Strand Mawlamyaing Hotel.

SCG also awarded six students from Yangon who received scholarships in 2013 and went on to achieve excellence in the following academic year with additional grants totalling K1,450,000 in recognition of their academic achievements. Following the ceremony this morning and a lunch hosted by SCG, the scholars were also involved in team-building activities in the afternoon to help them develop soft-side skills which will benefit their studies and living in the future. SCG Sharing the Dream is SCG’s ASEAN sustainable development initiative and it has granted scholarships to more than 5,000 students in ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand. With its vision to become an ASEAN sustainable business leader and a role model of good corporate management and Sustainable Development (SD), SCG pursues this program on an annual basis and will develop other programs that create a better quality of life for the Myanmar community.    

ABOUT SCG SCG, one of the leading conglomerates in the ASEAN region, comprises three core businesses: SCG Cement-Building Materials, SCG Chemicals, and SCG Paper. With more than 200 companies under its umbrella and approximately 49,000 employees, SCG creates and distributes innovative products and services that respond to the current and future needs of consumers. SCG has begun its regional expansion to Myanmar for over 20 years.

SCG will invest 12,400 million baht to build its first integrated greenfield cement plant in Myanmar. To be located in Mawlamyaing, the cement plant is expected to be operational in mid-2016. The project reflects the company’s aim to support the growth of the cement-building materials business in Myanmar and in the ASEAN region.